Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-07

In 1852 he was nominated with Reuel
Williams for representative to the Legis-
lature, by the democrats of Augusta, and
defeated. He was again nominated BY the
came party IN 1858 and elected. While a
member of the House he met the late
Senator Fessenden. Both were Young and
ambitious and at once became the champions
OF their respective partie. in the House. An
occasion arose in an important political de-
bate to test their power They engaged in
the conflict with intense ardour. | have
seldom witnessed. in the halls of Congress or
elsewhere, debate conducted with more
ability and power. They were very evenly
matched Both showed what they could be,
and gave promise of their future career. In
1850, Mr.. Morrill, was elected to the State
Senate by the democrates of the Kennebec
Senatorial District and served in 1856
Upon the nomination of Nr. Buchanan TO
the Presidency, he resigned the Craftsmanship
of the democratic State committee, and WELD
ed to the influence that separated him from
the party with which he had been so long asso-
ciated. In 1857 he received the nomination of
the republican party for Governor and was
elected by large majority. He was re-elect-
ed in 1858, and again 10 1859 In 1861, npon
the resignation of Senator Hamlin to accept
the Office of Vice President he was elected
U. S Senator to fill the vacancy caused by
Mr.. Hamlin's resignation. He entered the
Senate in Jan. 1861. In 1868 he was elected
Senator for the full term. In 1863 he was
candidate TOR reelection, bat was defeated.
Upon the death of Senator Fessenden in
september 1863, he was appointed BY Gov
ernor Chamberlain to fill the vacancy. In
1871, he was again re elected Senator for
full term.
His services in that body were exception
ally arduous. The business of Congress is
matured by the committees, and by them, and
not by the mere speech makers, the principal
labor is performed. For several sessions he
was the Chairman of the committee on APP
proprlations. The herculean labors of that
position requiring him AS chairman to be
prepared to explain every item of the immense
appropriations in the various bills to be acted
on at every session, vsibly impaired his
health which had been somewhat affected in
1869. In this condition it was with great
reluctance, and only upon the most urgent
solicitation of President Grant that he con-
sentcd to accept the office of Secretary of the
Treasury, and resign his seat in the Senate.
In letter to him dated July 5. 1876 the
! President says; Il have not yet been
able to solve the question of the secre-
taryship of the treasury in any way
| leaving YOU out" ask YOU to
come to my office this A. NJ. and qualify"
| He yielded to the pressure and took upon
himself the responsibilities and labor of this
Office which he held until the close of Pres-
dent Grants administration.
In the councils of the cabinet he had the
unlimited confidence of the President; and
he discharged the duties of the financial de-
parment of the government with fidelity and
ability, and left 1t with clean hands. And
take pleasure in adding that Maine can say
with pride that she has furnished two secre-
taries OF the treasury, Fessenden and Morrill,,
both Of whom amid the temptations that a
knowledge of tine condition and prospe ctive
needs and action of the department afford,
have disdained to make personal profit by
that owledge. and have left for the State
that venerates their memory, an untarnished
record.
| have been permitted to copy letter from
the President to Mr.. Morrill,: showing his
estimate of his services as secretary of the
treasury, which will read:
WASHINGTON, ID c., March 9th, 1877.
Hon Lot " KorriU, Sec. of the Treas:
My DEAR SIR :-In separating officially
allow me to express NV gratitude to you for
your able and satisfactory administration of
the arduous duties of your office during the
brief period YOU have held it. teel secure
| ~ -. ''e '' -" '"''' '' "''i '"' NiiON VI
secretary u 'he treasury from the fouhdatlpn
OF the government 10 the present DAY, VINO
mss inspired more Puoiic commence than
yourself. No man has my confidence more
iu''y' anu i nope 'i'a' 'ne very iriehuiy per
so'ia' Feia.ions eAiS''ns o't"eeh us may al
ways EXIST
"nh s'"cere WISHES LOT your speedy res
/ 'ofa''oh 10 nea'.h' anu iong anu prosper
Gus career, | subscribe myself
very i"'ni"''y yours,
~ u . uRANr'
ns 'uui'i"na' e'iuehGe VI re''ueh' ura,'t
o'""'ehoe anu esteem ne more thth
once oHereu MI Mortih the honora-
uie poS''loh Oh munster 10 Englahd.
po,' '"T occupation oi .1e executive chai,
ny WI ia.es' Mr. NORTH was appointed
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rouo:ous tunes, sectional str'ie rlpened
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