Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1869-01-06

l
ties OF Harrisburg in 1889 provoked still
more.
The question in 1889 was one of party
power in the Legislature, and it arose up
ON the election of members from Philadel-
phia county.
There was u great excitement, and the
public peace was imperiled Troops were
brought from Harrisburg, and citizens
focked there in large numbers from all
! parts of the State. Eventually the difficult
ty was composed by recognition of the
members really elected, and the disturb
ance was given to history under the name
of the ''Buckshot war" I believe there liz
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 decision was reached
under the pressure of popular opinion.
Mr.. Stevens was prominently connected
with the creation Of the public debt of
Pennsylvania, as he was with that of the
United States. I think that one third of
ence in the passage of appropriations not
always well considered or iudicious. Struck
by the advantages of public works in in
creasing the wealth Of the States and the
prosperity of particular districts, his habit
of mind was to overlook particlar obstacles
and cautious deduction. His imagination
kindled in contemplating remote but grand
results and he scorned the reasonings of
prudence, and was Indifferent to the means
by which he wrought. know it may be
said that it is easy now, with results before
us, to condemn such improvements as the
Gettysburg railroad, the Erie extension,
and the Wiconisco feeder, and that the
men of 1888 should not be judged III the
light of our present information. But /
must declare my fixed conviction that the
conduct Of public men in their appropria-
tions Of public money and creation of pub
lie debts should be judged by stern rules
They are the trustees of property interests
not their own, and their errors and i'm
providence must not go uncondemned.
Mr.. Stevens was q member Of the consti-
tutional reform convention Of 1888, but
was not an active member during the lat
ter part of its proceedings, nor did he sign
the amendments proposed by it for popu-
lar adoption, for the reason already stated
by my colleague.
1 turn, however, from his State to his
congressional career. He came into Con-
gress twenty years ago as Representa-
tive from Lancaster district. After SER
vice of four years he was absent eight, and
then, being again returned, was q leading
member of the House until his death
These words-a leading member-are not
exaggeration. He led Others and was not
led by them and he had two capital quail
fcations for mastership in the House. He
had q very vigorous will, and had wit also,
which was to him @ powerful instrument
for both aggressive and defensive debate.
Mr.. Stevens was in the latter part of his
career sometimes pleasantly called 'the
great Commoner ;" but this invitation to O
comparison between him and Chatham was
not well advised. Perhaps it does not de-
serve serious treatment but as there is no
eminent public man in our political history
with whom Mr.. Stevens can be compared
hone especially like him-we may be ex-
cused for pausing upon this invited COM
parison with foreign Statesman OF a for
mer age. Pitt, unlike Lord North was not
man Of wit but his general powers OF
intellect for parliamentary service were
unrivalIed Besides, his abilities were well
suited TO executive service, as shown by
him when chief minister of the Crown
He united prudence with daring, and was
told us of his achievements when he first
held the powers of the sovereign andenjoy-
ed the confidence Of the Commons and
the subject was worthy the hand Of that
great master. 1t is true that points Of re-
semblance may be mentioned between the
British statesman and the American leader.
Both were men of strong will both had
large influence in representative bodies -
| DOIA NtIc VI LAIOuBA
proud, seH-sustained, and undemonstra-
tive in its enjoyment both were leaders
of party but often exhibited independence
of party control both had the great gift
of eloquence, though in different manner
and in unequal degree. Pitts elocution
was sonorous and commanding, his senti
ments lofty, his language, drawn from
the wells Of English undefled," was polish
, ed, vigorous, and pure Besides he had g
moral weight which is sometimes wanting
to public men For he Was deeply attach
! ed to lawful spouse, and he respected al
, those proprieties of private life and Of pub
lie station which 60 to make up admired
character.
Mr.. Stevens had not high opinion oi
men with who he was brought in contact
His eye was keen to oil their defects, and
he felt his own mental superiority. This
gave him GOODNESS and confidence for de
bate Besides, his training at the bar had
taugh t him forensic art and exercise had