The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-01-01

for their repair; and his connection
with the difficulties at Harrisburg ih
1889 provoked still more.
The question in 1889 was one of party
power in the Legislature, and it arose
upon the election of members from
Philadelphia county.
There was great excitement, and
the public peace was imperiled. Troops
were brought to Harrisburg, and ciii-
zens focked there in large numbers
from all parts of the State. Eventually
the difficulty was composed by recog-
milton of the members really elected,
and the disturbance was given TO his
tory under the name of the "Buckshot
war" | believe there is now but one
opinion upon what then took place,
and that is that Mr.. Stevens and those
who acted with him were entirely
wrong, and that an honest decision was
reached under the pressure of popular
opinion.
Mr.. Stevens was prominently con-
nected with the creation of the public
debt of Pennsylvania, as he was with
that of the United States. / think that
one third of the former was due to his
efforts and influence in the passage of
appropriations not always well consid-
cred orjudicious. Struck by the advan-
tages of public works in increasing the
wealth OF the State and the prosperity
of particular di.tIicts, his habit OF mind
was to overlook particular obstacles and
cautious deduction. Hisimagination kim
died in contemplating remote but grand
results and he scorned the reasoniugs Of
prudence, and was indifferent TO the
means by which he wrought. 1 know it
may be said that it is easy now, with re-
suits before us, to condemn such improve
ments as the Gettysburg railroad, the
Erie extension, and the Wiconisco feed
er, and that the men of 1893 should not
be judged in the light Of our present
information. But must declare my
fixed conviction that the conduct of
public men in their appropriations of
public money and creation of public.
debts should be judged by stern rules Iii
They are the trustees Of property inter-
ests not their own, and their errors and
must not go uncondemn-
ed.
Mr.Stevens was member ofthe consti
tutional reform convention of 1898, bat
was not an active member during the
latter part of its proceedings, nor did
he sign the amendments proposed by it
for popular adoption, for lie reason al
ready stated Is my colleague.
turn, however, from his State to his
career. He came into
Congress twenty years az o rs q a-Repre=
sentative rom the Lancaster district.
After services of four years he was ab-
sent eight, and then, being again re-
turned, was a leading member of the
House until his death. These words
a leading membcr-are not an exagger-
alton. He led others, and was not led
by them; and he had two capital quail
lfications for mastership in the House.
lie had very vigorous will and he had
wit also, which was to him a powerful
instrument for both aggressive and de-
fensive debate.
Mr.. Stevens was in the latter part Of
his career sometimes pleasan tly called
"the great Commoner;" but this invi-
tation to a comparison between him
and Chatham was not well advised.
Perhaps it does not deserve serious
treHtment, but as there is no eminent
public man in our political history with
whom Mr.. Stevens can be compared
none essentially like him-we may he
excused for pausing upon this invited
with foreign Statesman of
a former age. Pitt, un ike Lord North
was not man OF wit; but his general
powers of intellect for parliamentary
service were unrivalled. Besides, his
abilities were well suited to executive
service, as shown by him When chief
minister of the Crown. He united pru-
ience with daring, and was as sagacious
Is he was bold. Burke has told Us of
MS achievements when lie first held
he powers OF the sovereign and en-
Dyed Tie confidence of tine Commons;
md the subject was worthy the hand of
hat great master. 1t is true that points
If resemblance may be menj 'Oued lc-
ween the British statesman and the
American leader. Both were men Of
trong will; both"had large iunucnco
Il representative bodies both were
greedy of applause, though proud, self
ustained, and undemonstratiVe in lis.
njoymcn both were leaders of party
'ut often exhibited ndepe dence of
'arty control; both had the great gilt
'f eloquence, though in different man
lerand in unequal degree. Pitts elo-
ution was sonorous and commanding,
lis sentiments lofty, his language,
drawn from the wells Of English un-
Ieiiled,' was polished, vigorous, and
ur'. Besides, he had a moral weight
lhich is sometimes wanting to public
neG. For he was deeply attached to Il
awful spouse, and he respected all
hose proprieties of private life and of
ublic station which goto make up adj
aired character.
Mr.. tevens had not high opinion
fmen with whom he was brought in
ontact. His eye was keen to all their
effects, and he felt his own mental su-
This gave him coolness and
)nfidence for dobate. BESIDES, his
aiming at the bar had taught him
,rancin ort anb had ayapoi,al onA
his logical powers. HE
nd the great merit of speaking with
irectness and of controlling his topics
lstead of being controlled by them.
therefore, he was not tedious, and was
ways instructive.
Among the measures supported by
lr. Stevens in Congress was one to reg
late the price of gold, or to prevent
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