Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-12-01
OBITUARY.

OBITUARY.
Hon. Robert John Walker, an
American statesman, was born in
\ Nortlsr~harland, Pennsylvania, July
~, loVl, ana dlca - his residence, in
Washington, November IL, aeeo ai
one o'clock and forty minutes. He
graduated at the University of Penn
sylvania in 1919, taking the first hon,
ors of bis class He at onco com
menced the study and practice of the
law in Pittsburgh. In 1921, when
but twenty years of age, he was made
secretary of the Young Mems Demo
cratic Association of Pittsburgh, and
in 1923, chairman Of the same. In
the fall of 1923 he first proposed Gen.
eral Jackson as the Democratic eaudi
date for the Presidency, drew up and
offered the resolutions Of the associa.
tion, and wrote the address. In
March, 1924, he was delegate TO the
Democratic State Convention of Penn.
sylvania, which nominated General
Jackson, and drew up its address.
In 1926 be removed TO Natchez
Miss. In 1928 he drew up the Demo.
cratic address of the State Conven
tion in favor Of General Jackson's
election. In 1882, as one of the Dem.
ocratic State Convention of Missis.
sippi, be drew mp an address in favor
of General Jackson's reelection. On
the first Monday Of January, 1888, be
made his somewhat celebrated address
at Natehez, Miss, against the seees.
sion Of South Carolina, in favor OF
General Jackson's proclamation, and
advocating the suppression Of rebel.
lion in that State by force, IL neccs.
sary. Thisspeech received the strong
written appreciation of ex-Presidents,
Madison and Jackson. Mr.. Walker
was at once nominated by the Union
jackson Democratic party for the
United States Senate, aud after hot
contest for nearly threo years, was
elected on the Sth of January, 1886,
defeating the Hon George Poindexter,
the Legislature passing resolutions
denouncing notification and secession
rs treason.
On the 3lst Of March, 1886, being
then the youngest member of the Sen.
ate, he introduced the "homestead
bill" substantially as it has since
passed in 1861, after q lapse of a
quarter of century. 1t was defeated
by the opposition OF both Clay and
Calhoun. subsequently, in 1871, be
originated, introduced, and passed the
celebrated "pre-emption" act of 1871
unrepcaled TO this day.
In 1887 be introduced and passed
the resolutions recognizing the indie
pondonce of Texas In 1874 he first
proposed in his celebrated Texas letter
Of the Sth Of January the annexation
Of Texas.
Mr. Walker took leading part IN
the Senate. The administration oI
President Van Buren also received
his hearty cooperation at the begin.
ming, but before its close be kept
somewhat aloof from it. Ailer TIC
death of Harrison and the installation
of Tyler, Mr. Walker became one OF
the trustiest advisers of the new Pres.
ident. lie had, long before tho meas.
uro was formally introduced, advoca.
ted the annexation of Texas TO the
United States; and when the treaty,
which had been signed between the
Texas commissioners and Mr., Calhoun,
was brought before tho Senate, be
used all his influence to have it rati.
fed, although he did not disguise his
decided opposition TO the project oI
legalizing slavery in all parts of the
coveted territory. Tho treaty was
rejected by the Senate on the sth OF
June, 1874, but was brought up again
early in lS45, and on the 25th oI
February passed both houses, the
deceased taking an active part in its
passage. lie also aided materially in
the acquisition Of California, two
years later; but at that time no was
I not IN the Senate.
Mr. Van Buren's opposition 10 the
annexation of Texas brought him in
conflict with Mr.. Walker, whose hos
tilty was manifested ia his efforts TO
bring about the nomination of Poll;
for the Presidency, against Mr. Van
Buren,. To tho success which atten
ded the effort be contributed largely,
aud in recognition of his services
President Polk, in March, lsi5, upor
the recommendation Of erery Demo
cratic member with but a single
exception) OF both houses of Congress
Mr.. Walker was appointed Secretary
Of the Treasury, and was unanimously
confirmed by the Senate. W
His administration Of tho national
finances met with signal success Th,
first report he made 10 Congress tool
a decided stand in favor OF free trad,
and against the protective tariifpolicl
Of the wings. Accompanying tbl
report was plan for "revcnu,
system" which boldly reduced custom
duties on nearly all articles importe,
more than fifty per cent Tho repor
and plan were fierccly assailcd by th,
wings. Senator Evans, Of Maine
their recognized leader in the Senate
10 lengthy speech opposing the bill
in which Mr. Walkers ideas wer'
embodied, declared that if It passc'
the revenue for the ensuing yea
: would not reach ls,o00,OO and pre-
dicted the utter ruin Of the manuiac
turing interests of tho country. Dan
iel Webster, we find IL stated, cleft
memorandum with the Clerk Of th
Senate that il would not produc,
sl4,000,000 Prominent fnancier
, Of tho old school, among them Abbot
, Lawrence and nine tcnths Of the New
, England bankers, pronounced th
policy as destructive of tho materia
, prosperity Of the country. Every
. where the friends oil protection ia
aalrei II ihe mos, disrssl fsrsbos.ag'