The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-07-29
william Pitt Fessenden.

rllnac 20, N. H., Ocl. No. ioVV' ~
was graduated at Bowdoin college in
1923, studied law, was admitted to the
bar in 1927, opened an office III Bndg-
ton, Cumberland County, Me, and IN
1929 removed to Portland. In 1881
he was elected to the state Legislature,
and though the youngest member, he
rose at once to distinction III that body,
both as DICTATOR and legislator. In
debate on the L. 5. Bank the youth
full orator displayed remarkable spirit
and ability. From 1882 to 1889 Mr..
Fessenden devoted himself exclusively /
TO his profession, in which he very
soon rose to the first rank both as
cousnellor and advocate. In 1888 he
was solicited to become candidate |
for congress, but declined. In 1899
he was again chosen to the Legislature
from Portland. The house was large
ly democratic. Mr.. Fessenden was
placed on the judiciary committee, and
though a whig from the first, and al
ways distinguished for uncompromis-
ing assertion of his principles, he was
made chairman of the house commit
tee to revise the statutes of the state.
In 1910 he was nominated by accla
nation as the wing candidate for con-
gress, and was elected, outrunning the
strength of his party. In congress he
participated in the current debates,
and made speeches on the loan bill,
bankrupt act, army appropriation bill,
against the repeal of the bankrupt law,
and in reply to Caleb Cushing on Mr..
C's personal position He was nomi-
mated for reelection in 1S43 but de-
clined, preferring to return to the
practice of his profession. Meantime
he received in the legislature of that
year the votes of the whig party for n
vacant seat in the Z. S. senate. In
1915 he was again induced, by con-
sideratiOns growing out of the Pc
sition of parties on the temperance
QUESTION, to become candidate for the
state Legislature, to which he was chos-
en-, as also in the succeeding year,
when he declined to serve further.
While member in 1915 he again re-
ceived the votes of the wings of the
legislature for a seat in the L. S. SEN
ate From 1916 to 1852 he was in
private life, devoting himself to his
profession with a constantly extending
practice and reputation. During this
period he was associated with Daniel
Webster in an important case before
the supreme court at Washington, in
volvinga legal question never before
discussed IN that court, viz: how far
the fraudulent acts of an auctioneer in
selling property should affect the own
er of the property sold, he being no
party to the fraud. Mr. Fessenden
had to contend against the weight and
influence of Judge Story's opinion and
decision against his client in the court
below He was successful, and Judge
Story's decision was reversed. Mr..
Fessenden's argument on that occa-
sion was remarkable for its logical
force and legal acuteness, and won the
highest admiration from the most fas-
tidious Judges Once during the pc
Rod lin 1850 Mr.. Fessenden was cleo
ted to congress, but his seat was given
to his compe or through an error in
the returns. Mr.. Fessenden declined
the contest the case before congress
p from an unwillingness to serve III that
body, which he had decisiyely expressed
in advance to the conventions of the
wing and freesoil parties, which, against
his wishes, had insisted upon nominal
ing linn. He was elected member
of the national convention which nom
mated Gen. Harrison for the presi
dency in 1910; was member of tn,
! convention in 1913 which nominated
! Gen Taylor, in which he supported
j the claims of Mr.. Webster: and
member of the convention in 1852
which nominated Gen. Scott. He wal
E opposed to Mr. Webster on the las
occasion, and advocated Gen. Scott
nomination, but was one of the g.
who opposed and voted against tn,
{ platform at that time set up by tn,
i wing party In 1858 he was again re
u turned as member of the state legis
> lature from Portland, and was chosen
$ by one branch (the senate) as Z.
+ senator. The democrats had major
!, ity IN the house, and that branch faile,
u to concur in the election by votes
u concurrent vote being requisite to
u choice, no election of senator was ei
! fected Mt that session. The sam
I, house, though opposed to Mr.. Fessen
u den in politics, associated him with til
: Hon. Reuel Williams in negotiatin
3 the purchase of the large body of viii
lands of Massachusetts, lying in Maine
which was successfully accomplished
a In the succeeding year (lS54) Nh
e Fessenden was again a member of tn
IS Legislature which was democratic i
l, both branches. The Kansas ebras
e ka question operating as distributin
: element, Mr.. Fessenden was now chos
e en- senator by both branches on tn
e first ballot by union of the whie
is and freesoil democrats. Though
IS declined to be elected except as whig
l. this event may be said to have bee
g the preliminary step toward establish
II ing the republican party in Maine, tn
l. necessity of which new organization
e, after the action of the main body
re southern wings on the Nebraska bill
MIR. Fessenden was the first to pr,
lie claim and advocate. He took his sea
'e in the senate, Feb. %, 1854, and o
d the night of March 3 following,
r which time the bill was passed, deli,