The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-07-13


Calvin T. Hulburd. The Democrats at
that time were in the ascendancy in
both branches Of the Legislature, and
the great measure of the session was
Michael Hoffman's celebrated bill in re-
latlon to finances, which was supported
and passed by the Democrats. In the
success of this measure, which was des-
tined to restore the deprecated financial
credit of the State, Mr.. Seymour took
an active and sympathetic interest, dis
playing for the first time the forensic
ability and oratorical power that have
since distinguished him.
In the spring of 1S42 Mr. Seymour
was elected Mayer of the city of Utica,
despite the continued hostility and op-
position of the Wings. In the fall of
1843, he was again elected member of
the lower House of the Legislature, and
was reelected to, and served in the
same position during the sessions of
lS44 and 1o45. The session Of'l544 was
an impoI tant and exciting one, the As
sembly being agitated with acrimonious
contests, chiefly springing from contem-
plated opposition to the administration
of Governor Bouck. The leaders in the
debates of the session were Mr.. Sey-
mour and Mr.. Hoffman, the recognized
leader of the Legislature in 1912, and a
formidable antagonist in debate, bnt
Mr.. Seymour appears to have coped
With him successfully, and to have won
not oaly the plaudits of his political
associates but the praises of his consti-
tnents likewise. The session of 1S45
opened with changed spirit, based up
on the victorious election of Mr.. Polk
to the Presidency. At the outset of
this session Mr.. Seymour was induced
by his friends to enter the contest for
Speakership, to which position he was
triumphantly elected, despite violent
factional fight, which seriously threat
ened his prospects. One of the promi-
nent and important events of this ses-
sion was the election of Daniel s. Dick
inson to the United States Senate, in
which Mr.. Seymour took leading and
active part He also engaged with fer
vent spirit in the discussion relative to
the call for a Convention to amend the
Constitution, but yoted against the
bill providing for that measure. With
this session Mr.. Seymour's legislative
career was brought to close.
For the succeeding five years Mr.. Sey-
niour was not prominent in public life,
having resumed the practice of law in
the city of Utica. BY the action of
the Legislature of 1859, providing for
the enlargement and Improvement of
the Erie canal, and appropriating the
revenue of the State in contravention
to the provisions of the constitution,
Mr.. Seymour again assumed leading
position in State politics, and most ear
nestly resisted this effort to override the
provisions of constitution so recently
adopted. On account of his strenuous
opposition to that measure, he was that
year (lS50) for the first time, placed in
nomination for Governor of this State,
result of the election was, for Seymour,
2l4,352 votes; for Hunt, 2l4,Gl4. Mr..
Seymour having been defeated by 262
votes.
In lo62, Mr.. Seymour was again
placed in nomination by the Democratic
party, in opposition to Washington
Hunt (Whig) and Minthorne Tompkins
Free Sold, with the following result
Seymour. ....... 2G4 l2I Tompkins " .l9, 900
HINT. 2t9 136
Mr.. Seymour was triumphantly elect
ed over two competitors as the chief
executive officer Of the State. His ad-
micistration of State affairs, as gener-
ally conceded, was rendered by ability,
tact, and good Judgment. While oc-
cupying the gubernatioAal chair in
1852, he vetoed the notorious Maine
law, and the correctness of his views as
to the power of the Legislature to pass
sumptuary laws was subsequently fully
established by formal decision of the
Court Of Appeals.
In lSJl, Mr.. Seymour was nominated
by the Democracy for reelection, with
Myrou ii. Clark Republican,, Daniel
Ullman (American) and Greene G.
Bronson lizard Shell Democrat) as oppo-
nents. The following was the result
of the election:
Seymour r........................ I'D, 491
Clark ioo,oVi
Ullman. .ls2, 2s2
Although the election resulted in Mr..
Seymour's defeat, it demonstrated very
satisfactorily his unwauing popularity
with the people, and his certainty of
success with the party united and work
ing for one candidate. At the conclu-
sion of the contest, Mr.. Seymour again
resumed the work Of his profession at
Utica. In everything appertaining to
the success of the Democracy he took
an active and sympathetic interest.
He attended National and State Con-
ventions with great regularity, and was
always accorded leading position in
the councils of the same. At the Ma
tional Democratic Convention at
Charleston in 1860, he was proposed by
the Southern delegates as 4 compromise
candidate between Douglas and Breck
inridge, but owing to the opposition OF
the New York delegation his name was
withdrawn.
In 1862 Mr.. Seymour was for the
fourth time placed in nomination for
Governor of this State by the Demo
Gratis, against General Wadsworth, the
Republican nominee. The result of the
election was as follows:
Seymour -.......--.....--..... .5OU oiy
Wadsworth. ..........-.......-....... 2ajs s91
Mr.. Seymour was thus for the second
time elected Governor of this State by
the handsome majority of 1882. After
an able administration of two years he
was, in 1864, nominated for reelection,
this time against Reuben 4. Fenton, by
whom he was defeated.
At the National Democratic Conven-
tion held in Chicago i'll 1864, Mr.. Sey-
mour was with great unanimity chosen
its President, and how ably and eff
ciently he discharged the duties and re-
sponsibilities Of that important posi-.
tion, the records and history of the Con-
vention will indisputably show. Since
that time Mr.. Seymour has delivered
many powerful Democratic speeches in
various parts of the country, entering
each successive campaign in this State
with his accustomed vigor, fearlessness
and efficiency.
At his home in Utica, as well as
throughout the State, he is esteemed
and respected with that fervor that
springs only from true friendship. He
| hos hoap from aorlu hayhnOh n faithful