The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-05-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
A SKETCH OF SENATOR JAMES B. BECK
OF KENTUCKY.
A Distinguished Career from a Very Hum
BILE Beginning in Life.
From Our Regular Correspondent.


WASHINGTON, May 9.-There was a
cry of "extra paper" on the streets of
Washington, and it was soon known
throughout the city that Senator
James B. Beck, the senior senator
from Kentucy, had dropped dead from
heart paralysis in the Baltimore and
Potomac railway station. There has
been no more sudden and appalling
death OF prominent man for years.
He fell and died in the depot in which
Gen. Garfield was assassinated nearly
ten years ago.
A story illustrating the innate hon
esty OF the man, even in his early
days, was related last night by a
gentleman who was thoroughly well
acquainted with him. MIR. Beck, the
gentleman said, was employed in
Cynthiana, KY, about one of the
stables there. Here here he came
under the notice OF Gen. John G..
Breckenridge, who was attracted to
him by his intelligence, industry and
good nature. Gen. Breckenridge was
one of the leading lawyers of his sec
ton at that time, and one day he
brought down copy of Blackstone
and gave it to young Beck. He read
it thoroughly, and showed such a
strong desire to become lawyer that
Gen. Breckenridge took him into his
Office at Lexington, KY. Here he
entered the law school of Transyl-
vania university, from which he was
graduated in 1916.
When Gen. Breckenridge went into
the late war, Mr.. Beck, who was his
law partner, took charge of his affairs
and OF his law practice. Gen. Breckin-
ridge at that time owned a large tract
of undeveloped lands in the North
west. Mr.. Beck managed the law
practice and interests committed to
his care so judiciously and honestly
that he was subsequently able to turn
over to Mrs. Breckenridge $4,000.
This incident, it is said, becoming
known, aided materially in his first
election to congress.
Mr.. Beck devoted himself in his
early years to the law and to business
affairs, amassing fair competence
before beginning his political career
in congress. He was Wing in his
early years, but when his law partner,
Gen. Breckenridge went into the
Democratic party he carried Mr..
Beck, who was devotedly attached to
his interests, with him. In 1886 he
was first elected to congress as
a representative in the Fortieth con-
gress from the Ashland, KY, district.
He was reelected to the Forty-first
congress in which body he made an
able reply to George S. Boutwell,, argu-
ing against the adoption of the
fifteenth amendment to the constitu-
tion-declaring that the right of suf-
frage should not be abridged on ac-
count of race, color, or previous condi.
ton of servltude-on the ground that
the regulation of suffrage should be
left to the States.
Being elected to the Forty-second
and Forty-third congresses, Mr.. Beck
served on the ways and means COM
mittee. He studied tariff questions
with great assiduity, and became
recognized authority on these matters.
He declining reelection 10 the house
in 1876, he was elected to the senate.
Among those who entered the SEN
ate at this time with him were
Messrs. Hoar of Massachusetts, Ben
Hill of Georgia, David Davis Of Illinois,
Plumb of Kansas, Garland of Arkan-
sas, Mcpherson, Coke and Harris and
ex-Secretary Kirkwood of Iowa.
He took a prominent part in the
senate in the legislation which re-
suited in the passage of the Bland
silver bill. He was always an advocate
of liberal silver policy, and at this
time offered measure proposing a
coinage of not less than 100000
monthly. He was assigned to the
committees on appropriations and
finance, probably the two most i'm
portant committees of the senate. 1t
is very rare thing for a senator to
be on both committees, and Senator
Beck was chosen because of his &C
knowledged industry and ability. He
was the leader of his party on matters
relating to the tariff and was chair
man of the senatorial Democratic eau
Gus for many years. He was reelected
in 1882 and again in 1888 for the