The National tribune., 1882-06-10
The Father of the House.

| their pensions than was absolutely necessary.
The Father of the House.
In November next should his life be
spared and his inclination permit, Judge
William D. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, will be
elected for the twelfth consecutive time to a
seat in the House of Representatives. He is
already the Father of the House in point of
seniority of service, and, without disparaging
the ability of any of his colleagues, it may
truthfully be said that he is also the Father
of the House in point of distinction of ser
vice. No man now in public life has exerted
a more potent and wholesome influence upon
national affairs than he, or has enjoyed to n
greater extent the esteem and confidence of
the country. We had occasion lately to re-
fer to his distinguished labors for the pro-
lection of American industries, but it has
occurred to us that the story of his early
career is even more interesting than the
record of his congressional achievements.
Through it all one unceasing purpose runs,
and the lesson which it affords is, that ear
nestness and steadfastness of character are
more to be desired than wealth or genius.
Judge Kelley was born in Philadelphia
in the month Of April, 1914. His father a
matchmaker, failed while he was yet lad,
and, dying soon after, left the mother with
four young children to bring up. At eleven
young Kelley left school and entered busi-
ness on the munificent salary of one dollar
per week. He became copy reader in a pub
ication Office and there may be said to have
continued his education, since he thus had
the opportunity of reading in proof many
valuable historical and scientific works. The
printing Office also served as school of elO-
cution, and the faculty of clear and distinct
articulation which he there acquired con-
tributed largely to his oratOrical successes in
later years. Doubtless, too, he obtained at
this time that exact knowledge of the mean
ing Of words and their uses that afterwards
gave fuency to his speech and wings to his
pen. At the end Of two years he addressed
himself, as in those days was happily the
universal fashion, to the work Of learning a
trade, and for eight years served as an ap-
prentice to ieweler. He was twenty years
old, when, on the 10Th of April, 1884, he left
the bench a journeyman. In the interval he
had made good use of his leisure moments,
reading much and discreetly, and taking an
active part in the affairs of an apprentices
association called the Youths Library Com
pany.
1t was at Boston, whittier he went in 1855
to find employment at his trade, that the
opportunity Of his life, the turning point in
his career, presented itself. There was MSS
meeting of the Democracy one Sunday night
Sunday ended at sundown in those days
at old Faneuil Hail. and young Kelley had
managed to secure place on the platform.
One of the speakers had just concluded
an eloquent address, and the chairman was
about to introduce the United States dis
trict attorney, when this unknown youth,
moved by some fervid impulse rose to his
feet and strobe to the front of the plat
form. "Who is hep" came from various
parts of the house. Hes an Irishman and
his names Kelley" shouted some one in the
gallery. And facing the astounded multi
tude, the daring lad replied Who am |?
I will tell you who I am directly. / am an
American citizen-a man who can earn his
living by the sweat Of his brow and the
cunning of his good right hand-one who
has come TO this cradle Of liberty TO pledge
himself to stem the tide Of time on board
the good ship Democracy, with her to
swim or with her glOriously 70 sink"
He had struck the keynote of popular feel
ing, and his speech was received with
enthusiasm. 1t was an auspicous debut
1t opened up to him at once a career as a
public speaker and brought to his side men
of culture and influence. He was offered
several lucrative positions under the Gov
ernment, but had the good sense to refuse
them. He preferred to carve out his own
fortune, and in 1889 began the study of law
in the Office of Colonel James Page then
one of Philadelphias most honored citizens.
Two years later he was admitted to the bar;
after four years of successful practice he
became Prosecutor of Pleas for the city, and
in 1845, when still but thirty years old, he
took his seat on the Bench. A constitrl-
tional amendment legislated him out of
Office, but he was triumphantIy returned as
one Of the candidates on the peoples ticket,
receiving the highest vote of any. And on
the Bench he might have remained to the
present day but for the fact that the Repub-
licans of the Fourth Pennsylvania district
nominated him for Congress in 1856, while
he was out Of the city, and although defeat
was certain the Judge was already so much