The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-02-25
neath I'D senator Carpenter.

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senator CARPENTERS death viii be The OF
c,,iou Of sincere regret on the part OF a''
who Knew him as be was even II they knew
him onIy by reputation. TIc was lawyer
Of extraordinary ability. We have always
placcd Mr.. THURMAN at the head Of the law.
yers In the Senate, aud Mr.. EDauSps next
10 him; but II is not altogether certain ''s'
Mr.. CARPENTER was not superior TO e'tne'
o, them as an original thinker and as pro-
pounaer Of the philosophical p'ine'p'eS III
VOWED In the great questions wh'en ne ".
o,.a IN congrcss and elsewhere. Certainly
10 u.s n nan Who formed his own orinlons.
Mr.. SUMNER was able to control TOT h's c''''
rights ysgaries the vote OF every senator eA'
cent Mr., CaepESTER. Mr.. CARPENTER re-
VOTED against the leadership OF mere
rbeioriciau, and voted with the Democrats
against passing bills which Congress had no
constitutional right TO pass. lie was a
trained constitutional lawyer, and he re-
sused 10 follow a man who was nothing but
spcech-maker.
We compile the folio wing from the wash
iugton Republican:
Mr.. Carpenter was born at Morctown,
VT, In 1924. At the age OF seventeen ne
entered the Military Academy at West
Point. intending to adopt the profession OF
soldier: but after two years nc became
Dissatisfied and left the academy. Al luis
IIme he was under the patronage OF a
wealthy gentleman who was travelling IN
Europe, but who regularly sent b'in remit
tapces ample for his support. Even ut tDat
early dav his brilliant talents were readiiy
ack nowIedged, and regrets were expressed
that be did not turn them into some cnan-
mel where their influence would be iet.
During this unsettled period he RESIDED ior
a time IN Baltimore, and while IN tbat city
he. with the carelessDess OF youth, faiieo 70
husband his resources. and, when attsekeu
with an affection OF the eyes, his niue
stock OF funds speedily became exhausted,
and he was so reduced in circumstances
that. after selling everything he had, almost
hind. IN debt Tor his board, he begged MS
landlady TO secure him permit 10 tue nos
pital of the poor-h0use, and The very day
| that he was 10 be taken there bis remittance
arrived from abroad, and he was enaDied 10
extricatc himself from debt, and 10 secure
the proper medical treatment for his aililc-
| lion. ,,
Tnon his recovery he determined to Sc
| rct course in life and adhere strictly TO II,
and he choosing the profession oil law, com
mencpd his studies under the guidance OF
the celebrated Rufus Choate. That emil
nent iurist, discovering the material III DIS
student, took especial care and pleasure 10
directing his reading, and when ne was au-
mjtted 10 the bar stated that the country
would one day hear from that young law
yer. unless be had greatly mistaken his ca
pabililics.
MIR. CARPENTER removed to Wisconsin III
1915 and entered upon the practice OF MS
profe sion. He soon became widely Known
| in the State for lis extensive legal know
ledge, while his fame a an orator extended
! into the neighb0riDg States. Ills nI:t
political speech was mace Ia cni.
c,0o on the occasion OF the hrst
nomination OF General Graut, when cre'tGd
the greatest amount OF enthusiasm. lie
entered ardenlly into the campaign, ana
was most effective and magnetic poilticai
sneaker. He was elected 10 the Oblteu
states Senate a. a Republican IN place OF
James II. Doolittle, and served from maIcn
| A 1860. 10 March 3, 1875. During the I'M
certalulies that followed the eiectioh OIL
| 1876. and after the establishment OF TIE elec'
toral commission. Senator Carpenter was
engaged as one of the counsel for the Demo
Gratis. and bis argument was most lnge..
NOUS combination of legal sophistry and
elOqueDce. ,;o,
After the expiration OF his senatorial
term, Mr.. Carpenter formed partnership
with Mr.. James Coleman, and engaged IN
the practice of his profession in Washing.
ton city. Mr.. Carpenter was again elecled
to the Senate, and took bis seat March 49,
1879. His term Of service would not have
expired until MAJ CHI 3, 1880.