Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-17
ION. SAMUEL HOOPER.

| The Boston journal has the following notice Of
Mr.. Hooper, who died in Washington on the
18th:
| Mr.. Hooper was one Of the best known Of the
Massachusetts, delegation in Congress. his long
service and his prominence on several important
committees having given him National reputa-
ton He was born at Marbehead, in this State,
on the Sd of February, 1908, and had just COM
pleted his 6Sth year. His educational advantages
in early life were not large, but as youth be was
observing and he avalcd himself Of the common
schools and the academy to acquire the rudiments
Of that practical business knowledge which became
servceabe to him in his subsequent active career.
He came to Boston when young, and in the capacity
Of supercargo he visited Russia as the representa-
tive of the firm of Bryant, Sturgis Co., of which
house he became partner, having married the
daughter of Mr.. William Sturgis. In 1913 he be-
came partner of the late William Appleton, and
since that date he had been prominently identified
with the commercial, industrial and manufactur-
ing int rests Of the city. His first public service
was rendered in 1851, when he took seat in the
Legislature, and for three years as Wing mem-
Der he represented Boston. In 1867 he was cho.
sen to the State Senate, but business engagements
prevented his acceptance of denomination. His
contemporaries speak of him as good legislator,
who made no long orations bnt was Of special SER
vice on committees. In 1861 he was elected .
member from Boston district to fill vacancy
caused BY the resignation Of Hon. VIM. Appleton
to the Thirty seventh Congress, and he has since
been reelected till he declined q denomination
last year, having served nearly fourteen years, q
period covering the civil war and embracing from
- ant tn M tha mn INN ont
era in the history of the country. He has served
on the Committee of Ways and Means, on Com
merce, on Coinage, Weights and Measures and
other committees. Though not ready or fluent
speaker Mr.. Hooper was good debater. His best
effort was upon National finances, delivered Feb
ruary 81, 1866, which was brought out by the loan
bill This was a question with which Mr.. Hooper
was familiar and his views at the time had great
weight. 1t is known that Abraham Lincoln placed
great reliance upon Mr.. Hooper's Judgment upon
financial matters, and it was the intention of the
President at one time TO have made Mr.. Hooper
Secretary of the Treasury, but the composition Of
his Cabinet demanded that the question of locality
should be consulted, and Mr.. Hooper was passed
over.
During hi. long career in Congress Mr.. Hooper
was warm friend and supporter of Senator Sum-
ner. Their harmonious personal relations were
never interrupted, though Mr.. Hooper did not
share Mr.. Summers political convictions during
the last Presidential election, and Senator Sumner
was opposed to the posi- ion taken by Mr. Hooper
| year ago.
Mr.. Hooper has been for many years director
in several Of our prominent institutions, including
the Merchants Bank and the Eastern Railroad.
He was liberal donor, we may say tho founder
of the School of Mines at Harvard College, to
which he gave $4,000. lie was liberal in pro.
noting many worthy institutions Harvard Col
lege conferred the degree Of NJ. A. upon Mr..
Hooper in 1866.
There are several points in Mr.. Hoopcr's Con-
gressonal career which we wished had been diff
ferenly tingcd, but much of the complaint against
him has arisen from the fact OF his large pecuniary
peculiar mode of life made him toward the last
less mindful of criticism than formerly, and his
assured position in society and in financial circles
made him too indifferent to popular opinion. But
he has lsbored long as the representatly OF me
city of Boston, and We prefer TO remember only
the good he accomplished. He was in social life
most courteous and hosptable man. lie was ever
loyal to his country and true to his convictions.