Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-11


lowing truthful obituary sketch of Mr.. Riyes,
from the able pen Of Hon. Frank P. Blair, sr.;
Died, at his ro'idence, near Washington, on the
morning OF the 10Th instant JOHN {. RIy Is, editor
OF the CoRgrtsiSaCl Globe, In the BiXty.ninth year
Of his age.
MIR Rivcs was n scli.made man. without the
mGana to obtain education in schools, lie became
yell vorEed In the business Of the world by his
Hptncss for observation and readiness in applying
his faculties. He was skilltul and EuceeGGiul In
the various pUTsuitB TO which he devoted his ls-
In the conduct Of his Affairs lc was n perfect,
not n profeased, man OF honor. lie never forfeit
ed his word, never permitted convenience 20 stand
In the way OF his duty. He has BscrihcCd thOuF-
ments for which ] c committed himself for Othcrs,
but was never knOwn to exact similar BRCrltces
| from those indebted 10 him. He I. ok TO h mself
the rule, "co unto. others as you would they
should do uutO you,n and lie "bCttored the lnstruc-
ton" He allowed none to be As gc5crouB to him
az he would willingly be to them. He expended
more in charities than sqy who ever lived In thIs
city, though lie earned the means by incessAut,
weli-litcctCf labor, beginning at hrst by turning
the wheel that moved the GiOJe presses by his own
strong arm, before steam WAS applied TO them.
He made no OStentaiOn Of larGesscH, but his
books show that in single year he paid out
Sl7CO to support the wives Of soldiers enlisted in
the Dis rlcr, besides innumcrable aids in smaller
amountg to individuals. lie was dcvOtcc in his
frlendships-gratitude was a religion with him
and In ali the relations Of social life he INDUCED
those around him with the most atiectlonatc kind
ness, oreFidsking no one but himself and parting
lishment, but making them lie pensioners when no
longer suited to srduous eXeTtion.
He w uli not cyen dispose ei an old horse inca
pSeitatGd for use, but has had As many rs ave at
one time on his hands kept N good condition AE
incNpAblcR for what they lad dome when able.
With a bosom fail OF tender affections, he was so
Ayerse to pretcnsion that nc hut those In most
intimate relations with HIM could sec through tLC
disguise hls blunt manners and sturdy exterior put
He came to Washington more thaa forty yoaru
since and engaged fret ms clerk In some printing
| lNfIl Ia 80 TAaV..N
finally laying hold Of the Globe which he lifted out
Of embarrassment and supported ever after like an
Atlas. His mAnagementwas unCXeeptionahle st
| the business partner.
He WAS never partisan, and although on great
national qaeEtions agreeing In the main with Jack
sons policy, he saw much mort in portions OfthAt
urged by his FFoAt SutAgouiBt, (Nr. ClRy,J whose
patriotism in maintaining the CuuntFy's rights
over the union and in its foreign relations, hC
always held in profound homage. His partner, q
| moro vehement party ulan was sometimes held In
check by his sound and temperate judgment.
| II was on MIR. NvGs suggestion thst tho scheme
Of having all sides heard fairly in debate BY pub.
lishing impartial reports of Congressional pro.
| ceedings WAS adopted. Tie editor CombattCd such
views Of the opponents OF the Administration In
Congress rs he thought EEsSilablC; but 1t was Mr..
Riyes' care TO sec that no report should do injuB
tcc to speaker.
At hTst hut the outlines OF a discussion were
given IN the GLOBE. II Yves found that epitOmcs
were unsatisfactory, and Mr.. Riyes, by degrees
brought the reports to the perfect state which
| have rendered the debates OF Congress for more
| than quarter OF century 40 authentic record,
| Inc plhn as hhncIOneu Db AUDgfeBB vas designed
to make political history OF the country ~
spoken by the nations representatives, who, sec
ing the impeTishAble form II assumed In the oicial
report would each he melted to make his c0ntribu.
tion, especially where hiA section or HIS political
| intereh were concerned.
| The original plan provided that each member
| and each succession Of memherB should have
| copy OF the official debates and proceedings 10
| place in the county court clerks office o. EOmC
puhlic library or seminary, that II might be con
suited by his constituency and thus, in effect, in
creaseB the responsibility OF members white Il
| increased the means Of Information among thl
people.
This multiplication Of copies enabled Mr.. RIvcl
less than One.thiTd OF the price Ter which smila
work had ever been obtained In England or tn,
| United States,
| Changes have, however, been made in respect "a
| the number of the reports disseminated, which
together with the incrGased price OfmatcrialB ant
| labor, have, II 10 RscGFtaned by tho Printing Com
| mittees, made reporting losing business for Tie
last few years, to such extent as TO render itl
| continuance impossible unless the original termI
OF the cOntsrct should be restored, or some Other
provision made to maintain the establishment.
| TWAS matter of pride as well as of patriotism
| which induced pir. RveB TO make q sacrifice from
| that Congress would make IL permanent. He per
fected all the machinery Of his Office, aud educated
son TO its management, TO preserve what lie had
! originated and SO long cherished.
He has fallen In his harness, and, indeed, W Cx.
poBUre IN arising from bed Of Biekness TO main,
| tain the efficiency OF a work to which he willingly
gave his life II Ia 10 bo hoped Congress will moi
allow is annals especially in such evCntful times
TO perish with him. -,