The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-05-16


healing springs in the Rocky Noun
tains, in Colorado Territory, in hopes o
securing relief. The SuddenneSS of hi
death, we presume, was by no means
unexpected to his family and more init
mate friends, although for several year.
past there have been constantly pu
forth far more encouraging statement:
in regard to his improving health thai
the facts warranted.
Salmon Portland Chase was born il
Cornish, New Hampshire, January l3
1868. His father died when he was bu
nine years old and he was aided in OBJ
tanning an education by his uncle, Phi
lander Chase, the Episcopal Bishop OF
Ohio. He studied for college at Worth
ington, Ohio; entered Cincinnati Col
lege, of which his uncle was President
in an advanced standing and subsequent
ly transferred himself to Dartmouth
College, Hanover, New Hampshire,
where he graduated in 1926.
He next opened private school at
Washington, d. c., where he had the
sons of Henry Clay, William Writ,
Samuel Southard and others for pupils.
While teaching he was diligently study
ing law under the celebrated VIM. Writ.
lie was admitted to the bar at Washing
ton in 1880 and practiced at Cincinnati,
and between 1882 and 1885 published an
edition of the statutes of Ohio with an
notations and preliminary history of
/ the State, in three large volumes. In
/ the year 1910, MI Chase then residing
! in Cincinnati, took more active part
| in politics, separating from the Demo
cratic party with which he had been
connected, on account Of its pro-slaVery
attitude and supported General Harri
son for President. After Harrison S
death lie took part in the organization
OF the Liberty party i'll Ohio.
In 1849, lie WAS elected to the Tn ted
States Senate by coalition of Demo
Gratis and Free Sellers against the Wing
candidate. lie was soon recognized as
one Of the ablest statesmen in the Senate
aud attracted much attention, Ill 1854,
by his earnest and able opposition to the
Kansas y ebraska bill. In 1856 he was
elected Governor of Ohio, and was re-
elected in 1857 and held the Office until
1860.
He was warm supporter Of the cleo
tion of Mr.. Lincoln III 1860 and in
March, 1861, was made Secretary of
the Treasury by the President. He took
charge Of the finances at time when
the public credit was low and great
war Immediately impeding. He sue
ceeded i'll maintaining the national
credit, and provided all the money
needed for the war, even when the eX-
penscS Of the government exceeded two
millions Of dollars per day. This was
accomplished by the issue of legal tender
notes, popu.arIy known as green
backs" 40 treasury notes, and the
30 bonds. 1t was by his great achieve
ment N, this responsible and ldbOriOuS
| position that the value of Mr. GhaSe's
services to the nation Will be chiefly and
rightly gauged.
| lie resigned the Treasury Office, June
| 20, 1864. and on the 9th of December
| following was appointed Chief Justice of
| the Supreme Court of the United States
in place of Roger b. Taney, deceased.
In 1866 he presided over the High Court
of Impeachment for the trial Of PreSi-
dent Johnson and was understood to fa-
vOr his acquittal.
In 1868, Chief Justice Chase was a
candidate before the Democratic
National Convention in New York, for
the Presidential nomination. In antici-
patton of his success he prepared a letter
seeking to place the Democratic party
on the platform of impartial suffrage,
! but he was four years in advance of that
! organization and the movement to nOmi-
nate Tim failed. OF late years he is
understood to have sympathized with
! the opposition to the Republican party,
and last fall was supporter of Mr..
Greeley.
The services of Chief Justice Chase in
resisting the demands of the slave power
in fostering and strengthening the organ
ization of the Republican party, and the
extraordinary abilities he evinced as
Finance Minister during rhe civil war,
are the achievements that will form the
enduring basis of his fame.