Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-04-03

of teing a dissipated man and fine wrestler,
and he was In all probability not very much
delighted when at Danville, Caledonia
county, VI, on April 4, 1872, his youngest
son, Thaddeus, stepped into the world with a
club foot. His fathers trade was shoemak-
ing, and at this young Thaddeus worked for
a time. In 1914 he was student at Burling-
ton college, and in lsl5 he was graduated
from yarmouth college. Like many another
man who became prominent in national al
fairs, young Stevens taught school for
living being an instructor Ut an academy In
York. Tiring OF that, he determined To put
into use the time he had given to the study
OF law, and made application for admission
to the bar. To his surprise he found the
door closed. 1t is said that certain members
of the York county bar, passed resolutions to
the effect that no person should be recognized
~ lawyer who followed any other vocation
whilst preparing himself for admission.
Stevens saw that the blow was aimed Mt him,
and he quietly went across the state line
into Maryland, and was admitted to the
Hartford county bar.
The particulars of that admission are very
amusing, and Stevens was wont 10 tell them
with the keenest relish. lie was examined
in the evening by the committee, Judge
Chase, afterwards impeached by the United
States Senate, being the Judge OF the court.
lie received his certificate after answering
three or four questions and ordering in at
the suggestion of the judge four bottles of
Madera Zip Loo" was played then for u
good part of the night Stevens, when he
paid his bill the next morning, had but $3.50
left out of s45 he began with the night
before.
The young barrister practiced law for
time in Gettysburg, burning the midnight
oil to poor pecuuiary advantage, until in
big murder trial In which he was employed,
he established himself As brilliant and
forcible pleader. lie did not make much OF
a show on the political arena until lS29, when
he threw himself with all his natural vehe
1881 he was member of the lower house of
tho state legislature, continuing as such
until lsil, except during the time he served
~ a member OF the constitutional conyen-
ton of 1877.
"TuE BUCKsHoT WAR;"
Stevens was appointed canal commissioner
in ls5S by Governor Ritner, who thereby
thought to make his victory over Porter in
the gubernational struggle beyond perad-
venture 1t WAS in that year the celebrated
"Buckshot War" occurred, whereby the
"Old Commoner" narrowly escaped with
his life. Two sets of returns were forwarded
10 Harrisburg from the Northern Liberties
district Of Philadelphia, the Democrats and
Wings each claiming success The decision
had q most important effect on the COM
pleNion OF the House and Senate. Secretary
OF State Thomas II. Burrowes certified to the
election OF his Whig allies from this dis.
trict, and a contesting delegation OF Demo-
Gratis were on the ground when the legislature
met There was intense excitement At
Harrisburg at this time, a. the governor, in
spired by Stevens, had summoned the mill
tary to defend his proceedings. At the
afternoon session Of the Senate on the first
day of the meeting, Hanna, one OF the