New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-18
OUR GOTERNDP.


REUBEN f. FESToS has, throughout his responsible
life been citizen of chaptsuquS County. Though
that county was overwhelmingly Wing. he was an
unwayering Democrat though to DC so seemed to
consign him TO hopeless obscurity. But in 1862, he
was nominated by his party for Congress, and most
unexpectedly elected through the unpopularity of his
Wing competitor. His majority was, we believe, 5s.
lie took his seat on the first Monday in December
1853, in House which was democratic by about two
to one. Mr.. Douglas, Chairman of the senates
Committee or Territories, was finally persuaded. or
coaxed or bullied into embodying in bill winch
provided for the organization as Territories OF Kansas
and Nebraska, repeal Of that portion OF the missouri
compact of 1920 which forbade the legalzation oil
Slavery in any Territory Of tho United States lying
north Of n. lat. 36o 30. Mr.. Fenton, with NJ l.
Banks and quite number of the younger Democrats
with Col. Thomas H. Benton and other Seniors
stoadasty opposed this proposition and opposed Tie
bill because of it, The bill was nevertheless forced
through the House, by vote OF llS to 100 ana DC
came law. In the division that thereupon ehsued'
Mr.. Fenton took Republican ground with Preston
King, Ward Hunt, George Opdykc, aud other con-
spicuous Democrats. aud he has never since been
other than Republican.
lie was not candidate for reelection in 1884, when
the Know. Nothings carried his district; but he ran on
the Fremont ticket III 1856 and was elected, and
thence reelected by large and generally increasing
maioritics down to Is64, when he withdrew, having
been nominated for Governor. He has thus served
five full terms in Congress-each the representa-
tive Of the strongly Wing district composed of Chau-
tauoua and Cattaraugus Counties, which contains
many able and worthy men who we're in full accord
.saf hfli lig ROM
nation was never seriously contested.
Mr. Fcnlon served in Congress nearly 10 the end
of the War for the Union Of which Inc one OF the
frmcst, most efficient supporters. Believing the
Union to be right and the Rebellion wrong through
ont he gave his best energies TO the National cause,
voting steadily for taxes loans, lovc', drafts and for
the Emancipation policy whereby they were rendered
edectual. Aldermen there may have been in Con-
gress: but there was none moro devoted, or more
ready to invoke and 70 make sacrifices for the triumph
of the Union.
The Union soldiers, but especially those from our
State found in him an earnest and assiducus friend.
Not merely in Congress- but in camp aud hospital, his
attention to their welfare and comfort was untiring,
rs thousands Of them gratefully attest. ,...
On The lamcutod though glorious dclh Of Gen.
james -. " auSNoTlh, AiTs Iful"h WIS h"Nu'""s
designated n our sandnrd-bearer in the determined
struggle of 1864 aud was nominated for Governor
with remarkable unanimty His vote justified the
wisdom Of tie CHOICE. Though pttcd against the in
cunben who was an able canve ser and had great
personal strength, Mr. Fenton was elected by ma
jority considerably larger than Mr.. Lncons-larger
than that Of any ofhis colleagues the Republican,
Union ti,kci But for illegal votes. we believe il
would then have been, az ii will now be- over ~, ro
NJ. Fcaon has nearly served out his term with
VERY general appreciation. lc has felt constrained 10
veto number OF jills wherein heavy personal and To-
cal Interests were nvoyed and has thereby made some
enemies; but We ihiuk he has made more friends by
proving faithful. Trustworthy guardian Of general
! interests and public rights. We have differed with
him regarding the policy Of one or two OF these We
toes; but tina. he erred. at all. from the b motives
and on the safe side Is generally conceded. Taxes
having been enormously enhanced by the War, it had
become absolutely necessary that present increase
Of public burdens for objects not OF urgent imperative
necessity, should be pcrmit,ed; aud Gov. fenions
vetoes have tended TO Tighten taxation and favor the
masses, while proving him ready to incur powerful
hostility in obedience to his convictions
Mr.. Fen,on is probably now for the last time eau
didae for the suffragcs of his lcow-citzens Of this
State and has fairly earned their enthusiastic support.
Never yet defeated, VIC predic. that his reelection in
1850 will be his most decided and emphatic triumph.