Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-04-13
Gbe Ohio 9tatesnran
Non. willlam ID. FincIr.


si L.r.-lrf ,.4 "a b - 4 81. t
Mr. WALLAoE's Legislative Biography con-
tains the following sketch of the able and dis.
tinguished Senator from Perry, which we take
great pleasure 10 reproducing for the readers of
the Statesmaa. Il was written by a friend Of
bis who knows him we'll, and whose aim was 10
paint him just as he is We think he suc-
ceeded:
fuoiic men, who maintain an elevated rank
IN popular favor, in o country where their opin.
IONS aud acts are open to close scrutiny and free
remark, must be possessed of more than ordi
nary merit. And 1t is believed that public opin-
ION VIII sustain US, when we say, that but few
nave occupied as various and important stations
o. usefulness, with 60 large share of approoa-
hon. as the subject of this sketch. y
Ihe Senator from the Perry and Muskingum
Dis1rict, Hon. William e. Finck, Is q native of
onio, OF French and German extraction, now
10 ms iortleth year. lie studied law at 6omer-
set, mis- present place OF residence, and was ad-
mitIed toprac.ice when be was tw wenty.one wears
of age. He is about the medium 6eieht. ant
carries an erect figure, full of elasticity. weigh.
ing only one hundred and forty pounds. His
countenapce Is fresb, and his brow unwripkled.
put there Is gradually increasing bald place
upon his crown. He wears no beard, but has
always close shaven face. He married
daughter Of the late Mr.. Garaghty, the we'll
known banker of Lancaster, Ohio; and two
children have been born to him,
In 1901, Mr.. FiRek was the Whg candidate
Tor Congress, in district then composed of the
counties OF Perry, Morgan and WashiDRton -
ne went into the contest with more than eix
hundred Democratic majority 10 the district.
and came out Of 1t with only forty-six msiority
against hIil, at the election. He gained enough
In his own county perry to have given him a
handsome majority; but the gallant fight of the
noble Democracy OF Washington county, where
his competitor made heavy gain, lost him the
election. The author Of this sketch has dis.
tinct recollection of doing his full share of the
work which resulted in Mr.. Finck's defeat
being then as now Democrat, always working
ana voting Tor the nominees of the Democratic
party.
Mr.. Finck was elected to the first Senate up.
der the new Constitution, in 1851, from the dis
.trict he now represents. He was then lead
Ing Wing, and, during the two sessions of that
Legislature, occupied an important place on the
Judiciary Committee.
In 1852 he was q member Of the National
Convention that nominated General Scott for
the Presidency. At the Presidential election
OF that year, he was candidate for elector on
the Scott ticket, and, during the fall, eanvassed
portions OF the State with Governor Dennison.
Mr.. Finck is faithful member of tt Catho-
lie Church; and, In 1854. Joined the Democrat
10 party, when Know Nothingism swept the
Whig party out Of being, and declared war
against Catholicism. He has been ever since,
and is now, an efficient and influential Demo
crat. he was prominent candidate for the
Democratic nomination for Congress in his dis
rict few years ago, and came very near re
ceiving it.
His election last fall was splendid triumph,
in view of all the circumstances connected With
bis canvass. He Is now leading member of
the Judiciary committee Of the Senate, where
his efficiency, energy and industry are felt and
appreciated. He is also member of each Of
the following committees: Common Schools
and School Lands, Military Affairs, Public
Works, Universities, Academies and Colleges,
Privileges and Elections. He holds a promi-
nent place on each, and discharges his whole
duty. -i
Mr.. Finck has all his lifetime been yorker.
Whatsoever his hands have found to do, he has
done 1t With oil his might; and he knows no
abatement Of energy when in the public ser.
vice, as Is the case with too many. He exam,
ines with the olosesL scrutiny every topic of leg
islstion, and is always ready With his strone
reasons and sound arguments, to defend or en-
force any oouse of action he has decided upon
pursuing. Although in political minority In
the Senate, there is not q member of that BODY
whe Is more to be relied upon, and who more
cheerfully responds to the largest demands that
are made on him. He is thinker, as well as q
t0OTkeT; and he faithfully attends to the want.
and wishes OF those he represents, as well as to
the interests of the whole people of the State