The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1876-02-02
Hon. James Il. Beck.
From the Frankfort Woman. ]


freisshire, Scotland, on the 18th day of
February, 1922, and Is therefore in
his fifty>fOurth year, He received an
academic education, and came to the
United States at the age of sixteen
His father emigrated to New York
and was long substantial farmer in
that State, where he died few years
ago. He had designed his son for
mercantile pursuits, but this did not
suit his taste, and he came west at an
early age to seek his fortune, and Sc
leeted Lexington, KY, for his future
home. The law was his choice, but,
thrown upon his own resources, he la
bored upon a farm until, by diligent
study at night, he fitted himself to en-
ter the law school of the Pennsylvania
University. Here he graduated March
lst, 1916, and shortly after began the
practice of the law in Lexington. The
bar of the city was one Of the ablest in
the State, and he was strongly inclined
to seek field with less competition,
but was dissuaded by Gen. Breckin-
ridge, who, early attracted in friend-
ship to him, urged him to remain in
Lexington, and prOfered him the use
of his library. From this early period
was dated the intimacy which eight
years afterwards led to their law part
nerShip, and which was severed only
by death.
Mr.. Beck devoted himself assidu-
Ously to his profession, and rose to dis
tinctiOn at the bar before he ever con-
sented to mingle actively in politics.
His first race for any Office wass in
1861, whed he ran as the Democratic
candidate for Statei Senator from the
district composed of the counties Of
Fayette and Scott, and was defeated
by Ex-Governor Jas. F. Robinson, of
the latter county, by small majority.
In 1861, Mr.. Beck was elected to the
4th Congress from the Ashland district.
The temper of the Republican majors
ty in that body was bitterly proscriE~
tive, and he, with the Democratic del
egation from Kentucky, were kept out
Of their seats for several months after
the meeting of Congress. He was as
signed to no important regular CONF
mittee, but was placed on the Recon-
struetiOn Committee. Some of the
ablest Of the Radical members were on
it, and it was expected, doubtless,
that, being new and untricf Repre-
sentative, he would be unable to ren-
der any aid to his party. But the Oc>
casiOn brought into play his remark
able energy, application and research;
and it is not extravagant to say that
to his exposures Of the usurpatiOns and
wrongs done and contemplated by the
party in power, the Democracy owed
its first impetus to the success which
has since marked its history. The
subsequent career of Mr. Beck is too
familiar to require extended reference.
He was reelected to the 41st, 42d,
and 43d Congress, and proved himself
one Of the most labOriOus and efficient
Misunderstanding able to say, in regard
to almost every session, that he never
missed a single vote, or was absent
from single committee meeting. His
services as a member of the committee
on Ways and Means and ApprOpria>
tons were especially conspicuous; and
long before his retirement from Com
gress, he was the recognized leader of
his party ON the floor. Had he Yield
ed to the wishes of his friends, and
consented to a reelection to the pres
ent Congress, there can be no question
but that he would have been elected
its Speaker. In the prime and vigor
/. of mature intellectual and physical
manhood, the future which lies before
him cannot but be fraught with in
, creased honor to his name and useful>
, ness to his State and country.