Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-07-15
HON WILLIAM H. ENGLISH,
OF INDIANA.

The Democratic nominee for Vict
J'residant is q native of Indiana, hav-
ing been bornin Scotteounty, that State,
August %, 1922, and engaged in the
practice of law at the early age Of eigh-
bteeG, and was only twenty.three when
he was admitted to practice in the Su
preme Court OF the United States. AT
the age of twenty years he was appoin
ted Postmaster OF Lexington, his ma
tive village. In 1888, when. twenty
one years Of age, he was appointed
principal clerk Of the State House OF
Representatives Soon after the close
of the session of the Legislature the
great campaign Of 1874 began, and Mr.
English took an active part. As rec
ognition of his services he was tender
ed Su appointment in the Treasury De-
partmeut at Washington, which he &C
.cepted, anG continued to discharge its
duties during afr. POlk's admlnstra-
-tion. g., S.'l s'.s.
In theyear 1850 the people Of Indl.
ana called a convention to revise the
Constitution of the State, and Mr.. Eng
lish, taren twenty-sight years of age,
received the distinguished honor Of be-
ing chosen its principal secretary. In
1851 Mr.. English WAS elected to the
State Legislature against an opposition
minority and over competitor consid
cred the strongest and most popular
man OF his party in the county. Wt
was elected Speaker of the House,
though but twenty nine years of age
and practically without legislative ex =
perience.
In October 1852, when just - years
of age, he was elected to Congress and
served four terms. lie was warm
supporter Of the political measures of
the Pierce administration. At the time
the Kansas Nebraska bill was brought
forward Mr.. English was a member OF
the House committee On territories and
made a minority report in January,
1854. 1t was not adopted, but the
amendments which Mr.. English sought
to secure were finally put on through
Senator Douglas. Mr. English opposed
the admission OF Kansas under the
Lecompton Constitution until that in
strument had been ratified by the vote
of the people and opposed the peliey of
his own party administration on the
measure. In this stage of the proceed
ings, when the whole country had
about abandoned the hope OF settle
ment of the disagreement between the
house and the angry contest was likely
to be adjourned for further and pro-
tracted agitation before people aIread y
infamed by sectional aEimoSties, Mr..
English tosk tie responsibility of NOV.
ing to eencur in the proposition of the
Senate asking for committee Of free
conference. The excitement upon the
occasion had scarcely ever been equaled
in the House Of RepreseD tatives. Upon
adopting this motion the vote was l0S
to l0S, but the Speaker voted in the
affirmative and che motion carried.
From this committee Mr.. English re.
ported what is known as the "Enylish
bill," which became the law after a
struggle of unparalleled bitterness. Under
this law the question Of admission
under the Leeempten Constitution
was in effect referred back to the peo-
pie of Kansas, and they refused it, just
as Mr.. English and almost every one
else expected they would do.
Mr.. English retired from Congress
in 1861, and has not since been In pub
lie life. He has been in business as a
banker, and gained respect in Indiana
as one Of the foremost and trusted
business men of that State. He retir-
ed from business in 1877, and Is &C
50