The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-08-31

Ten years ago We hfst became acquainted
with the gentleman whose naule stands ct the
head of this article, and who 10 now the Re.
publican candidate for Attorney General Of
Iowa. A short sketch Of his personal history
rs we'll a. political antecedents will interest
our readers.
Mr.. Rice was born in western New York,
and is now, We believe, in his 29th year. In
early life be removed, along with his fathers
family to Belmont county, Ohio, whore be
continued to reside until be secured for HIM
self a home in Iowa. 1t was there We made
his acquaintance, ut time when he Was 1T
ting himself for the duties he has since 30
honorabIy discharged. His facilities for &C.
curing the education ID was determined to
secure, were extremely limited, and II it 10 at
all creditable to be ssself- made man." that
credit in its fullest sense belongs to Samuel
A. Rice. Rejecting in favor Of others, the
assistance his family could render him, he
entered upon bis purpose dependant on him
self alone. That purpose be achieved. By
engaging in such manual employment as be
could obtain, and thus defraying the sxpen-
SEES Of his tuition out Of the earnings OF his
own hard labor, he succeeded in acquiring q
liberal education, and finally graduated with
high honors at Union College, New York, in
l849.
After two years more OF close application
to the study Of the law, he was admitted to
practice in 1851, and the Same year removed
to Iowa and settled at Oskaloosa. Since
that time his practice has steadily increased,
and he now ranks as one Of the foremost
lawyers of the State.
In the canvass Of 1854 Mr.. Rice was one Of
the 6rmcst and most active opponents OF the
Kansas Nebraska iniquity, and did much to
redeem Iowa from the thraldom Of Locofoco
misrule in which she has 30 long been sunk.
In the fall Of the same year be was elected
Prosecuting Attorney Of Mshaska county.
The 6rst Republican State Convention in
Iowa was held in February, 1856. By that
time MIR. Rice, had become we'll and favora.
bly, known to the Southern part Of the State,
and his name WAS brought forward by the
delegates from that section, for the ofice Of
Attorney General. On the frst ballot he was
nominated by an almost unanimous vote, and
was elected in August following, by ma.
jority OF Thousands over james Baker, the
Democratic nominee. The duties devolying
upon the Attorney General Of the State have
been much greater during his term than pre-
viously, but have all been discharged with an
ability and faishfulness before unknown to
the Office. His official opinions have been
given without regard TO friend or foe, and we
believe in every case where doubted, have
been confirmed. So ably and enthusiastically
has he filed the Office, that ct the late
State Convention he was, after IN informal
ballot, re.nominAted BY exclamation. And
such nomination he well deserved.
Few men have attained, at Mr.. Rice's age,
90 enviable position, but to 40 it 10 not un-
expected. When he was struggling unaided,
years ago, We frequently heard it said that he
would yet win distinction, and achieve an
honorable fame. The predictions Of his
friends have thus far bean fully verified, and
We have sure confidence they will be more
fully confirmed in future. We confidently
expect the voters Of Iowa to roll up, in Octo-
Der next, - in 1856, majority OF thousands
for Samuel A. Rice.-[vinton Eagle.