The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-01-18
,X0IYg L0TDEIa8AW 3HT


from California for select committee, Of oouIse he would
be entitled the parliamentary courtesy Of being placed
at its head FOR his part he preferred TO have tho
matter referred TO the Committee on Finance believing
that a select colnmittec would do no good The Com
tee Finance bad already more information these
matters than select committee could bs possessed Of Ia
twelve months - q -aa9faag va
Mr. eWIN had no desire to serve chairman of the
select committee He only made that motion because he
knew that the Committee Finance had much buai-
ness before them that they could not attend 70 it, QGF
Mr. PUGH moved to reconsider the vote last taken,
lie had voted FOR select committee under the SUPPOSE
ton That the senator from tennessee would he placed AZ
its head and If that senator would not consent tooc
cupy that position, he desred to change his vote
The discussion of this question interrupted by the
announcement Of message nom the House Of Repre-.
sentatiyts, 4alsT ,.il sbat4a asaaasS
'll 'aaatas NON. THOMAS L. nARRs s5sY 10 WA.
message received from the House of Representa-
tiyes, announcing the death of the Hon THoMAs Il.
HRhs late member Of that body from the State OF
Illinois and comm anieaiing the proceedings Of tho House
Mr. DOUGLAS. Nj President for the arst time du-
ring y public service 1t becomes my mournful duty 10
join in official tribute OF respect and veneraon 70 the
memory deceased colleague from my State. The
message ON the House OF Representatives. has announced
\ 10 the Senate the death of Thomas l.. HARRIS we'll
known representative from the State of Illinois His de-
oining health the result Of exposure in the mill
tary service Of his country4had long since impressed
upon his family and immediate friends the stern necessity
OF preparing their minds and hearts for this affecting be
slowly but certainly under incurabie disease, and
while caluy awaiting result which he conscious
inevitable and rapidly approaching. he retained and
displayed the ndomitable energy, courage and fottude
which had characterized his whole life and enabled him
until the hour of his DEATH to perform his whole duty TO
his family and to socety-to his State and the Union
He died at his home in Petersburg Menard county I'LL
no on the 9th of November last, of pulmonary con-
| sumption
The history OF THosAs L. Hanks may be studied and
his example followed with safety and honor by the youth
| of our country. Born in Norwich Connecticut the
10Th of October 1876 he only two years OF age when
his father died. leaving him and younger brother de
pendent upon widowed mother for support BY his
own exerions, with the labor of his own hands be OBJ
tanned the TO acquire education and graduated
with credit at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, ia
1871. During his senior year in college, he became
studentataw in the office of Gov Toucey now Secreta
of the Navy and pursued his studies with assduity
and success In December 1871 he removed to Amherst
county Virginia. where le continued the law, while
teaching school to obtain the of support In l842
he admitted TO the bar in Virginia, and the
year removed TO Petersburg, Menard county, Illinois,
where he commenced the practice Of his profession
and resided until the period Of his death He rose
rapidly in his profession and had already acquired an
enviabie reputation as lawyer, when the Mexican
broke out and called him to another field Of du-
ty. In May, 1916, he raised company Of volunteers
and elected their captain He joined the fourth reg
ment of Illinois volunteers, under the command of Col
Baker, and the 4h of July of that year was elected
major of the regiment. After reaching Mexico the alb
and sickness of the colonel and lieutenant colonel
devolved the command OF the regiment upon Major HAIR
rms; and in this position he displayed in an eminent de-
gree, the qualities Of the soldier and the officer
energy, promptitude, and discipline lie soon became
conspicuous winning the applause of his supeiorS AMI
the confidence and love of those under his command
At Vera Cruz well as Ccno Gordo, after the fall OF
General Shields when the command of the brigade de
volved upon Colonel Baker and that of the regiment
upon Major HARRIS consequence Of the sickness of
the lieutenant colonel the gaanry of my friend became
historical appears by the official dispatches of General
Scott commanding n-chef and those of Major General
Patterson and Colonel Baker under whose immediate
ders he acted l gss.
During his absence IN Mexico Major HARRIS was elect
ed by the people to the Senate OF Illinois, notwithstant
ing the district had previously given decided majority in
opposition to the political party to which he belonged
Returning from tho war; surrounded with honors Which
his fellow citizens all took pride lin awarding to him, and
which he bore with modesty in harmony with his char
acter, he again engaged in the practice OF his profession
with that eancstness Of character which part OF his
nature. But he had become object of too much pub
lie interest to be allowed TO romain long in private life
In ls48 he became the nominee OF the democratic party
| with which he was always thoroughly identied) for
Congress, in district which had uniformly given dec
ded opposition majority and phantly elected
upon the distinct issue of nonntervention by Congress
with slavery in the States Territories His in
Congress was bold manly, and unequivocal always adj
herring strictly to the principles which he elected
de supported by vote and speech the legislation of 1885,
knownas the compromise measures and never falled to
defend the authors Of those and the principles
involved in them, whenever and wherever assailed.
In 1854 when sectional strife ragged with its greatest
Major HARRIS again became the candidate Of his party
in MS eI hal che