Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-07-14
William Pitt FpSSandan.

William Pitt Fessenden is the son of the
Hon. Samuel FesSenden, and was born in
Boscawen, n. H.. Oct. Is, 1906. He was ed
ucated at Boudoin College, Me-, was admit
ted to the bar in 1927, and opened an Office
in Bridgeton, Me-, from which place he re-
moved to Portland in 1929. In 1881 he was
elected to the State Legislature, and though
the youngest member, soon gained distinc
ton, both as debater and legislator. Thus
early in life he displayed his knowledge of Fl.
nances in discussion on the United States
Bank. From 1882 to 1889 Mr. Fessenden
devoted himself exclusively to his profession,
in which he very soon rose to the first rank.
In 1888 he declined nomination to Con
gress. In 1889 he was again chosen to the
Legislature from Portland and placed on the
Judiciary Committee. Though he was an
unfinching Wing, and the Democratic ma
iority in the House very large, he was made
Chairman of the House Committee to revise
the statutes of Maine In 1910 he was cleo
ted to Congress, running far above his party
vote. He especially distinguished himself
during this term Of Office by his speech
against the repeal of the Bankrupt
Law, in reply to Caleb Cushing In
1S43 he declined a reelection to Congress.
During two of the succeeding years he re-
c6lVeQ J0G w UlS VOtcS Ill Vic fOl
United States Senator, but the Democratic
candidates were successful. Until 1852 he re-
NAMED in private life, gaining still higher
reputation as lawyer. Being associated
with Daniel Webster in an important case
before the United States Supreme Court, a
legal question arose, which had never before
been discussed in that Court, viz: how farthe
fraudulent acts of an auctioneer in selling
property should affect the owner of the prop
erty sold, he being no party to the fraud.
Mr.. Fessenden had to contend against the
weight and influence of Judge Story's opin-
ion and decision against his client in the
Court below. Yet he was successful, and the
Judges opinion reversed. Mr. Fessenden's
argument won the highest admiration for its
logical acuteness. He was a member of the
conventions which nominated Harrison, Tay-
lor and Scott for the Presidency. In 1853,
he was chosen by the Maine Senate United
States Senator, but the Democratic House
refused to concur. In 1854, Mr. Fessenden
was again a member of the Legislature
which was Democratic in both branches. The
Kansas Nebraska question operating as dis
turbing element, he was now chosen Senator
by both branches through a coalition of
Wings and Freesoil Democrats, though he
declined to be elected except as Wing.
This event may be said to have been the pre-
liminary step toward establishing the Repub-
ican party in Maine. He took his seat in
the Senate, February %, 1854, and on the
the Sd of March following, at which time the
Kansas Nebraska bill passed, delivered one
of the most electric and effective speeches
made against it. This effort established his
national reputation at once. HIS subsequent
efforts confirmed the estimate thus formed of
his powers. He was soon placed on the Fl
nance Committee, a position which he has
held up to the psesent time, being its chair
man in the present Congress His current
term of Senatorial service would have ex-
pired next March, he having been elected for
the term of six years in 1859.