Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-04

was heartily cheered. After the convention
was adjourned many men crowded around
Colonel Bayne, took him by the hand, and
expressed their regret at his withdrawal.
THE RETIRING CONGRESSMAN.
Thomas M. Bayne, who thus retires after
representing the Twenty-third Congressional
district ior IA years, was born in Allegheny
City June IA, 1886. He was educated al
Westminster College and began the study
of the law in 1860. In July, 1862. he en-
tered the Federal army as Colonel of the
One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsyl'
vania Volunteer Infantry, and commanded
that regiment during its nine months Of
service, participating in the battles OF
Fredericksburg and Charlottesville. He
was admitted to the Allegheny county bar
in April, 1866. In October, 1870 he was
elected District Attorney for the county,
and held that Office until January 1. 1874.
In 1875 he was nominated by the Republi-
cans for Congressman from the Allegheny
district, but was defeated by Alexander G.
Cochrane, the Democratic nominee, there
being an independent Republican, Samuel
A. PurviaLce, in the field. Colonel Bayne
was elected in 1877, and has since then been
six times reelected. In 1888 he received
1899 votes against 6, Ill cast for the Demo-
cratic candidate, Attorney Joseph A.
Langft.
SKETCH OF THE NOMINEE.
William A. Stone, the nominee for Con-
gress in the Twenty-third district, was born
in DeImar township, Tioga county, in
April, 1876. His father was a hard-work-
ing farmer, honored and respected by his
neighbors. His farm was a model one in
the nelghborhood. The mother was born in
Pittsburg, where she lived for 16 years be-
fore moving to the Northwestern part of the
State. She is described by those who knew
her rs being an exemplary wife and mother.
As boy Stone engaged in all farm labor,
each winter attending the common school
for few months. When the war broke out
he enlisted, at the age of IL, as private in
Company A of the One Hundred and
Eightv-seventh Regiment of Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered out
a second lieutenant in August, 1865. He
returned to farm life. On account of his
great strength and skill he soon gained a
wide reputation as the best woodchopper
and the best GRADER in that country.
He was ambitious for an education, but
his father did not have the ready money to
carry him through an academy or college.
One of his particular friends. himself a
prominent educator of national reputation,
recently told the following story to another
friend in this city. A teachers institute
was being held at Wellsborough, in Tioga
county, when young Stone, with his best
girl, drove over to attend it one evening.
MADE GOOD IMPRESSION.
Prof. Allen, Principal of the Mansfield
State Normal School, was the lecturer. He
spoke on the possibilities of American
youth, and at the close Of his lecture he
said that he would be glad to meet any
young man who desired a thorough educa-
tion but felt too poor to get ii. Two or
three young men remained in answer to
this invitation, and one of them was young
Stone large, awkward looking and bashful.
He told Prof Allen that he was poor but
wanted an education. He made a good
impression, and was asked to go to Prof.
Aliens hotel. He went, and after a short
talk, Prof. Allen said: "Come to our school
at the opening of next term and will see you
through" That was the opening for
which Will Stone was looking. He went
to Mansfield at the appointed time. carrying
all his spare clothing in a bundle. He
entered the scientific department, and labored
so hard and persistently that he mastered
the four years course in two years. and
graduated in 1868 with honor. When he
carried his diploma home he was in debt
for his tuition and for money advanced to
him by Prot. Allen. He was elected prin-
eipal of the Tioga Academy, and in little
more than one year he was able to pay all
that he owed. He began to read law with
Hon. Stephen S. Wilson, subsequently
Judge of that county and afterward ap-
pointed to the Federal judiciary.
HIS ENTRANCE IN POLITICS.
Young Stone was admitted to the Tioga
county bar in September, 1870. From the
first he received liberal share of patronage
In 1873 he was urged BY his friends to be-
come candidate for the District Attorney
ship. He was elected by 5000 votes out of
3, 500 cast, and served his term with accept
ability. When Mr.. Wilson became can
didate for county judge he was injured by
runaway, and Mr.. Stone made the canvass
for him.
Mr.. Stone began to realize that it would
be much better for him to seek larger field
for his practice. He had heard his mother
many times refer to her Pittsburg home.
What she had said OF the wonderful re-
sources of this city had made him think it
was almost the greatest city in the world.
In January, 1877, he removed TO Pittsburg
When he came here he was an entire
stranger, but good fortune favored him, and
it was not long until he had a very fair
clientage. He was retained in several i'm
portant cases, and received fees which to
him seemed to be very large.
His practice has been constantly
uulll IL Is now one OF L06
finest in the city, Among the cases in
side case, a church contest; the Missionary
Society of the Wesleyan Methodist Church
against Joseph Benedict, an action of eject
ment; the William NJ. Lloyd bankrupt
case; the suit of Henry against the P. & L.
e. Railroad; the suit oil the Coal Valley
Coal Company against the P. & L. E., etc.
He was for a while attorney for the Crescent
and Clearfeld Railroad. His practice has
been almost entirely civil.
HIS FIRST OFFICE.
In 1880 he was appointed by President
HAYES United States District Attorney for
the Western district of Pennsylvania.
There were a number of applicants for the
position, and Mr.. Stone was opposed by
Senator Cameron and all the leading poll
ticians of the State. After serving four
years he was reappointed, without any op-
position, by President Arthur. Dur
ing the Gubernatorial campaign in
the fall of 1885, notwithstanding President
Cleveland's instructions to Office holders,
Colonel Stone took the stump for General
Beaver and made speeches in the counties
bordering on Allegheny. Notice was
served on the President that the United
States Attorney was actively engaged in
campaigning, and on October II, 1886,
President Cleveland removed Colonel Stone
for "pernicious activity" This removal at
tracted national attention and discussion.
Colonel Stone resumed his private practice,
and has also become interested in several
large business enterprises which have made
him a comfortable fortune.
Colonel Stone married Miss Elizabeth
White, the youngest daughter of Hon. Rob
ert Gray w hite, who, for more than 20 wears,
was the Presiding Judge of the Tioga dis
trict She is a charming and accomplished