The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1876-01-20
THE NEW SENATOR.
Brief sketch OF the airc and Ca.
reer Of the Man Of victory.

Brief sketch OF the life aud Ca.
reer Of the Man Of Victory.
In the absence of any more com-
plete sketch of Gov. kirkwood's life,
we republish from the State Register
Of Sund ~ the folio wing short account
of his early life and his after public
career. 1t gives good outline OF
the gentleman AMI his life:
Gov. Samuel J. krrkwood, fsmil-
larly known throughout The State AS
The odd War Governor" is a native
of II ,rtford county, Maryland At
III, age of 10 wears he was sent to
Washing on, d. c., 10 attend school,
remaining about four years. For The
following seven years he was EN-
pIoyed as druggists clerk. On
becoming of age he was impelled by
thar spirl, of enterpr Sc which has
m uked so many Of those who early
become prominen, in life. aud unable
to bronk The restraints of the narrow
sea belt east of the Alleghanies. emi-
grated to Richlsnd county, ONO.
This was forty years ago; and he
soon after entered upon the study of
the law. After two yeas of study,
with mind SO receptive as his, he
was prepared for admission to prac-
tice. For twelve years he prosecuted
his profession, -four of which was rs
the prosecuting attorney of his coun-
;y. A; this time, and during the re-
naming years of his life in Ohio,
he was more or less engaged in pub
lie political discussions, and there, as
later in this State, won wide cele-
br,ty as an effective and popular
speaker. He was elected as dele.
gate to tho Constitutional Conven-
ton of Ohio, and contributed not a
hale to the Constitution adopted in
1851. He was placed on the Judici-
.ry Committee of this body, and did
his part in providing SO complete a
ju leiary system that it has not been
changed to this day. 1t was in 1852
that he again followed the Star of
f npire westward, and soon became
= resident of Johnson county, Iowa,
where he engaged in the double vo-
cation Of farming and milling, i,
which he was successful. La 1856 he
Was elected to the State Senate,
serving two years term being
cut short by the new arran ,emen,.of
term, provided by tn. new Consttu.
tion OF 1851; after which he was re-
'lected for another two years.
In 1859, when the Fl st ho,rs.
rumblngs of the long gathering
clouds oi secession were heard. ,ha
people Of Iowa made hum g ,vernor.
HIS ad ,ninistrat,on WAS so great A
success that he was renomina,ed
without opposition. Upon him de-
volved the executive duties of plac-
ing Iowa on = war footing when the
war cloud burst, in 1861. Among
the many acts for which he will ever
be held in grateful remembrance was
that of his prudent economy in hold
ing the State expenditures to the
lowest possible limit compatible with
the important exigencv. The Cen
cral Assembly authorized the nego-
tia,ion OF war and defense bonds,
limiting the issue to 100000. A
commission was appointed, the Gov
ernor being one, to sell these bonds.
Oaly 100000 were sod, the remain
ing 100000 being burned by au hor-
ity OF the Legislature. Few of the
people OF that trying time nave for
gotten the only complaint ever urged
against the Governors discharge OF
this great and delicate duty. 1t was
alleged that he moved too slow; that
as he had been voted the "sinews Of
war;" he should employ them with
less industrious prudence. But the
results of his executive care saved to
til State large share of The nearly
one million dollars placed pr.'ically
At his disposal, while every duty to
CO intry aud the low. 50 diery was
promptly and fully met. 1t was to
this prudent management that our
S ate debt did not exceed the $780,
600 before mentioned. That his ex-
ecu'ive management, despite the
we'll meant cavils of the few, was
happily successful, may be gathered
IRON the fact that TO cali for volun-
teers failed Of prompt and full re-
sponse, and while drafts became
necessary in many States during the
years he was Governor, none was
necessary in Iowa until after his re-
tirement from office.
1t was January, 1866, we believe,
thai Governor Klrkwool was elsc,ed
to fill short term in the United
States Senate, \ position he filled for
two sessions. o. the expiration of
his term he returned to his home at
Iowa City, where he has prosecuted
his private business with the same
prudent care he had ever displayed
IN public office. Three years ago he
was elected President of the Johnson
County Savings Bank, an Institution
that has, like all other enterprises
p aced in mis- hands, private or pub
lie, been marked with signal success.
In July last he was nominated for
Governor for third term. There is
no need to say that it was thrust up
Oh him against his will, and oft re-
peated refu ,als. How he was borne
down by the weIl-uigh uIan nous
demand of delegates that he accept,
the people are familiar. His canvass
of the State, as everybody foresaw,
was credltable to his head and hea I;
and that soneth ng of the old tine
numerical strength Of the Republican
parry in the p esent Legislature, 10
due to Gov. ktrkwood's name, fame
and lAbors, it were folly to question.
The Governor is now a candidate
for the Senate, whether or not he
shall be chosen is the province of the
Geaeral Assembly that couvenes this
week. Should he be he choice there
is no doubt Of its enthusiastic ra,ifi.
cation by the people.