New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-03-06
and when tho House has been considering bills in
Committee of the Whole.
CLERK OF THE HOUSE.


EDWARD MCPHERSON OF PENNSYLVANIA.
The Hon. Edward Mcpherson who was on Thursday
elected Clerk Of the House Of Representatives for
the fourth time is an efficient and popular officer Of
respectable talents and attainments He was born
at gettysburg Pennsylvania, July 81, 1891 and is of
Scotch Irish extraction In the section of the State
where Mr. Mcpherson was born and still resides the
Scotch Irish element has always had preponder-
atinR influence especially iii social and political life
and while it cannot be said that he owes his present
position to any question Of deriyatiye nationality
the unaspiring instincts Of his Pennsylvania
Dutch neighbOrs left him free field in his earlier
struggles which was of inestimable advantage He
was educated at Pennsylvania College an institution
under the charge of the Lutheran Church, situate
upon the field of Gettysburg and occupied by tho
Rebel forces observatory during the memorable
struggle. Mr.. MCPHERSON graduated in 1S4S
and in 1851 edited newspaper at Harrisburg
but relinqnishcd it after a few years
account OF il-heaith and returned TO Gettysburg
In 1858 ho was elected to the XXXYIth Congress
from the Sixteenth Pennsylvania District and was
reelected to the XXXVIIth Congress. but in
1862 though again the candidate of the Republican
party he was defeated by a small majority. For a
few years previous to his election TO Congress he had
devoted himself TO agricultural pursuits, and by
somewhat anomalous juxtapOsitiOn of duties found
himself in the House on the Committee Oh Naval At
faas during the first session. and member OF the
Military Committee through his second term. In
1862 when for short time previous to the battle Of
Antletam, Pennsylvania was threatened with inva-
sion he served the staff of Major-Gen. Reynolds,
subsequently, killed at Gettysburg. He was appointed
Deputy Commissioner of the Internal Revenue
in 1868, and on the meeting Of the XXHVlIlth
Congress he was elected Clerk of the House
of Representatives, being subsequently elected
to the same position IN the XNXlXth and ALth
Congresses Mr.. Mcpherson is gentleman OF
fine literary culture and besides two series Of let
crs touching the internal affairs of his native State
written previous to his entry upon public life, he has
delivered many addresses different occasions. In
1864 ho published valuable compend entitled The
Political History OF the United States during the
Great Rebellion and this work supplemented
with volume for the year 1866, During his last
term in Congress he was Regent of the Smithsonian
Institution 1t is said that he is now engaged III the
preparation Of life of the late Thaddeus stevens
with whom he enjoyed tho most intimate and friend
ly relations for many years He is OF the execu
tors named in the will of Mr. Stevens, as is also Mr.
Dickey. who fills the Old COmmoncr's" place IN
Congress and on whose nomination Mr. Mcpherson
was accepted by the Republican caucus for the Clerk
ship of the House. Mr.. Mcpherson married daught-
or of tho Rev. Dr. Smuckcr, for many years the
leading professor in the theological seminary at Get
tysburg and enjoys n distinction few men of his
wears can boast having been made a IL. ID. by
Pennsylvania College in 1861 lie is one Of the pro-
prictors and editors of The Gctfysburg Sniinel
newspaper, has many friends and few enemies and
leads life Of cultivated ana elegant leisure in all
his social relations.