The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09
80 orrUmwA wApr1Lo COUNTY THURSDAY

| wars FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, d. O.,
Oct. 9th, 1871.
The death of Hon. Thomas Ewing
the first Secretary Of the Interior
which occurred yestsrdayin Ohio,cre
stes . profound sensation hero. The
public buildings are draped in mourn
ing-tho omincus black muslin--re
minding me Of the old war days
when the departments we're rarely
ever without that sad evidence ol
departing warriors and statesmen
The Star this evening gives the fol
lowing excellent biography of the
deceased, which l quote entire, know
ing it will be Of interest to your many
readers:
Mr.. Ewing has been i'll for some
time past, and his death was not nm.
expected. He was born in Ohio
county, Va, on the 28th of Decem.
Der, 1889, and was therefore nearly
SO years of age. His father served
in the Revolutionary struggle, and
in 1892 moved to the frontier, in
what is now known as Athens coun.
ty, Ohio. The deceased was then
in his third year, and his early life
was passed in that section. He was
taught to read by an elder sister,
hickory bark furnished the light for
his studies at night. In his Goth
year he left home and worked in the
Kanawha salt establishment, where,
in two or three years, he saved
money enough to pay for his fathers
farm, and to enable himself to enter
the Ohio University at Athens. His
money becoming exhausted before
the completion of his education, he
again went to work in the salt works,
and after earning sufficient means,
again entered the University. In
1915 he received the degree of Bache-
lor of Arts, being the first student
ever graduated by that college. He
studied law in Lancaster, Ohio, and
in 1916 was admitted to the bar, and
soon rose to very successful prac.
tice in the State courts and Supreme
Court of the United States.
He was elected U. s. Senator by
the wings of Ohio, and took his seat
in 1881, and was soon enlisted with
Clay and Webster in resisting what
they deemed the encroachments of
the executive. He opposed the nom-
ination of Mr.. Van Buren, as minister
to England, and supported the pro-
tective tariff system of Mr.. Clay.
He also, during the same session, ad !.
vocated reduced postage and a re-
charter of the u. s. Bank, besides
taking q conspicuous path in debating
the leading questions of those days.
He was actively engaged in 1884
in reorganizing the post Office ;
brought in the bill for the reorganiza-
ton Of the General Land Office, and
introduced the bill for the settlement
of the Ohio boundary question, which
was passed March I1th and June Is,
1896.
He also presented q memorial for
the abolition OF slavery and the slave
trade in the District of Columbia,
which he insisted should be referred,
although he was opposed to granting
the prayer of his memOriallsts.
His Senatorial term expired in
March, 1887, and he resumed the
practice of his profession at his old
home.
Upon the election of General Har-
rison to the Presidency IN 1910, Mr..
Ewing was made Secretary of the
Treasury, retaining that position un-
der President Tyler after the death
of Mr.. Harrison until the veto of the
National Bank bill, when he resign
ed, with all the other members Of
the cabinet, except Mr.. Webster.
Upon the election of General Tay-
lor to the Presidency in 1849, Mr..
Ewing was made Secretary Of the
Interior, and organized that depart
ment,-warmly recommending in his
first report the extension of tho pub.
lie land laws to California, New Mex
leo and Oregon, the establishment of
mint near the California gold mines,
and the construction Of q road to the
Pacific. On the slavery question he
separated from his old associates,
Clay and others, who urged the ne
cessity of comprehensive legislation,
and Mr.. Ewing agreed with the
President In thinking the action Of
Congress uncalled for.
On the death of General Taylor
and the accession of Mr.. Fillmore,
the division in the whig party was
made the basis OF change in the
Cabinet. MIR. Corwin became Sec
retary Of the Treasury, and Mr.. Ew
ing was appointed by the Governor
Of Ohio. to serve the unexpired term
of Mr.. Corwin in the Senate. 1t wal
then he advocated the abolition ol
slavery in the District. In 1851 hi
retired from active public life, except
that he was delegate to the Peace
Congress held in this city in 1861
He was also chosen . delegate to th'
Philadelphia Union Convention il
1856 but did not take part in it
proceedings. Since his retiremen
he has resided at Lancaster, Ohio
!. where he enjoyed the respect AM
{ affection of all. GLASSES, regardless
/, political or religious beliefs. Up t
the last, although taking no activ
part in political affairs, he did nc
lose his interest in public affairs, an
not unfrequently gave to the countr
d in the form Of letters and addresse
9 through tho public press bis views Q
current topics affecting the welfal
q OF the country. He sustained tt
. . election of Mr.. Lincoln and the pro
9 ecution of the war but on the que
Q ton of reconstruction he took o vie
y widely different from that entertai
9 ed by the dominant party, and d
y ring the later years Of his life b
sympathics were rather with the d
~ mocracy. Whatever may be thong
: of his political course, the verdict