New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-11
OFT UARY.
LOT NJ. MORRILL,.


| AUGUSTA, Me-, Jan. 1O.-Lot NJ. Morrill,,
died this morning at 10 O'Clock He suffered very it,e
and his last mouents were without pain or struggle
The members OF his family and the attending physician
present during his Last The dying ma,
recognized his family, aud with his last breath attemn,
ed to bid them farewell; but with the word on his lima
| his spirit passed away. X
Lot NJ Morrill, Ind the face and the blood OF eenu,no
Yankee He was born at Belgrade Ne, on May g. 1914
He was backward schooboy for 1t was not until nj.
twentysecond year that he ready to enter Water
vile College, Colby University; and he remained
there only few months. He began to study law and
after being admitted bar laid the of
lucrative practice One Of his brother attorneys in the
magistrates court IN Readfeld was Timothy o. Howe
who subsequently, became his party colleague
In the United States Senate. After re.
moving to Augusta, he entered into politics
and became prominent leader of the Democratic party
in the STATE In 1854 he accepted nomination for
Representative in the State Legislature and elected
He there gained such reputation that upon his election
to the State Senate In 1856 chosen president OF
that body The discussion OF the slavery question grew
hercer throughout the country during 1855 view Of
the approaching contest for the Presidency and many
Democrats dissatisfied with tho OF their party on
this question, entered the Republican party Mr. Morrill,
had always abhorred slavery, and when his party
seemed TO favor Its introduction In Kansas ne denounced
its course and severed his connection with IL. The Re-
puOlcans welcomed him TO their ranks nominated him
for Governor in 1857 and elected him by majority Of
over $4,000 votes His administration was so success
full thar he twice reelected Governor serving that
Office IN 1853, $50 and 1850.
In 1850 Hannibal HamlIn was elected yicePresilent
and Mr. Morrill, chosen b. the State Legislature to
serve out le remainder OF his term In the United states
Senate. He took his seat Senator January IL,
1861, aud was appointed q member Of the Committees
Commerce, District OF Columbia. and Claims In 1861
h s.ffa1f
ing the stormy two years which followed he very
active part In public affairs and his
y approved by his party in his native State that IN 1863
he reelected TO the Senate for ending 1862
During this term he served chairman OF the Commit
tee on Expenses OF the Committee the District OF
Columbia, OF the Committee Appropriations and Of
the Committee on Indian Affairs In contest for the
following with Mr. Hamln he defeated in the
Republican caucus by vote. Upon the death OF
Senator Fessenden in 1862 Dir. Morrill, was sp.
pointed TO serve out the unexpired term.
1871 he was again elected United States Sera-
tor During his protracted service In the Senate he
devoted close attention to questions OF finance was
hard-money first, last and always. He voted
against the Imitation bill. which the President vetoed
and In favor of the Resumption act Of 1875. He
hard worker IN the committee rooms and especially
familiar with Naval and Indian affairs and with the de-
tails CT the appropriation bills While he never brill.
liant in debate be always earnest clear and sensible
the country and impaired public confidence in the Ad
minstrauon. the President turned Senator Morrill,
aud urged him 10 accept seat in the Cabinet. The
Senator preferred to remain where he aud declined
the appointment Secretary OF War; On June 81 1876
his nomination Secretary Of the Treasury sent 10
the Senate and Immediately confirmed The condition
OF the appropriation bills was 50 critical that he
duced TO remain in the s"uae and facilitate the passage
OF these measures He was chairman of the senate
Committee on Appropriations, and DO other senator
could take his place. During the next fortnight he
strained TO the passage or bills
on July he took leave OF the senate a speech OF
that agreement would be reached, but the
Democrats in the House Determined TO have
their They were attempting be remarked gather
70 themselves all the omnlpoenee peculiar o. the Eng
lsh House OF Commons. and this was PRECAUTIONARY
that meant revolution" After protesting against the
OF TIE House, he entered upon the office
tary Of the Treasury.
satisfactory His long experience in public affairs, his
aIailary with Government business his inhexblhty
I'm enforcing the laws and his clear hard IL
Quoting the department, made him pOpu.
lar Minister OF Finance His annual report
submitted TO Congress early in December. 1870
exceedingly clear and strong presentation OF the
National finances He urged gradual but immediate
contraction OF the currency aud declared that specie
tons simple and direct He asked Congress 60 in
vest him with authority to fund greenbaeSs at his dis
the National banks to accumulate coin. The report
ab0unded In common sense practical suggestions, and
fayOrably received in England and France AS wei
IN the United States.
When President Hayes went into the White H0usein
1877 he offered Mr. Morrill, foreign mission, but the
Secretary preferred TO remain In tne United States on
March l3 the President nominated him 10 be Collector Of
Customs for tue Portland aud Falmouth District OF
Maine aud he promptly confirmed. lie continued 70
hold that Office unti his DEATH taking very tte part IN
active politics during the past few years His last Ill
began last fall and was the ouigrowth OF nhamms
ton stomach which he had suffered for many
years Several times since fall he had been at the point
OF death.