Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-06-05
Gen. w. w. Grout,s Record.

washington. ~. -. june :. Ao.o.
As Vernonter. though for a long time a
resident of Washington. have never ceased
10 take an active interest in everything occur
I'M, In or pertaining to the interests of Yer
mont Especially during the past few weeks
have watched with interested attention the
unexpected and almost inexpheable contest IN
the Second Congressional District. have
noticed with surprise that some of the papers
that advocate a change Of Congressmen, una
BILE to find an assailable point IN has personal
character or official record, seek to damn Gen.
Grout with faint praise by referring to him
as a good worker" and stopping there as
though this was his chief, if not his only quaii-
cation for the position that he has, while IN
Congress, so faithfully and so satisfactorily
filed This disposition TO hard work praise
80 grudeingly bestowed, is and ever has been
his lifetime habit, and is one of his most
cornnendable characteristics. Whatsoever his
hand fndeth to do he doeth il with his might.
Wherever his own interests, those OF his
friends, his constituents or his State are IN
yolyed. 10 labor Is too great Tor nm 70 assume
With nnfaltering patience and untlring per
severance he returns 10 the task until his eff
forts have been rewarded by success.
He is in himself splendid illustration Of the
old maxim. Labor omnia vincet. His adj
yersaries do well TO admit the fact that he is
a hard worker, but in doing this they do him
meager Justice There is no lie so false as the
half-told tale by reminding his constituents
that during his Congressional career few MEM
be1s Of Congress have made more, or more
impressive or influential speeches. Let me
ennmerate a few of them. In the first session
of the 18th Congress he made an elaborate and
carefully prepared speech advocating the ele-
walton of the Department of Agriculture to
the dignity Of cabinet position. This speech
was regarded at the time as the strongest APP
peal for the interests of agriculture that was
made during the discussion and II was contin-
ually called for by the Oranges throughout the
country long after the large edition printed was
exhausted. Seven years later he had the sat
isfaeti0n of seeing the Commissioner OF Agri-
culture take his seat among the Presidents
advisers. His next speech in this session was
upon the distribution of the Geneva award
fund The ideas so clearly and forcibly pre-
scented by him were subsequently enacted
into law. In the second session of the 18th
Congress he delivered one of the best speeches
made in behalf of the revival and protection
OF American shipping. Another upon the es
Enlistment of a territorial government over
North Dakota. and his famous speech upon
the French Spoliation Claims, which subse-
quently became classic upon the subject.
Immediately upon its conclusion the represen-
tatives of the long outraged claimants hasten
ed TO Gen. Circuit, assured him that il was the
best presentation of their case that had ever
of the manuscript that they might have il
printed so that copies could be put in the
hauds of senator's before the bill should reach
the Senate. As this could not be done they
purchased of the government printer one thou
sand copies for distribution. In the 18th Con-
gress he delivered a carefully prepared speech
in defence of the dairy interests OF Vermont
in advocacy of the Oleomargarine bill. which
soon after became law. Perhaps the speech |
which brought him the most credit among his
colleagues in Congress and throughout the
country, was IN denunciation Of the fitz John /
Porter bill, whereby the rebel brigadiers and
their Northern Democratic allies in Congress |
sought 20 reverse history and to reward trea- |
SON. This speech was largely copied from by |
the press throughout the country and rece we'd
much deserved praise from military critics and l
historians. In the second SEES ion of the 18th /
Congress Gen. Grout delivered carefully /
prepared speech in advocacy of the establish
ment of Agricultural Experiment Stations,
which Immediately became law, and upon
the District of Columbia School Board, which
resulted in giving the people of the District
partial control over their magnificent school
system In the 5Oth Congress he made speeches 1
upon the Anatomical Science in the District of
Columbia. The Municipal laws of the Dis
trict, election of postmasters by the people,
the Tariff and many others. Most of these
speeches were published in large editions and
UN Nftn. OiOht dihoile MS
constituents Gen. Grour is not only hard
worker but a speech maker and good one.
have often heard him from the galleries.
Whenever he occupies the floor the House
listens. Those who have ever crossed swords
with him in debate, either in the forensic
arena or in the halls of Legislation have soon
realized that in him they had i0eman worthy
Of theiIssteel Woe betide the opponent who
for moment drops his guard or exposes
loose Joint in his armour
Upon the organization Of the present Con-
PRESS Gen. Grout received the distinguished
honor Of being appointed chairman Of the
ON the District of Columbia, for
which his long service upon the committee his
,autious conservatism and his unquestioned
integrity pointed him ont as the best man TO
execute this Important trust. Here is com
nunity of 3OO.GI0 people. almost the pOpula-
ion OF the State of Vermont. who are totally
who vote for nothing, whose
'ulers and officials, from the greatest even unto
me least, are appointed over them, whose laws
ire imposed upon them without their consent,
who have no voice as to how, how much or by
whom they shall be taxed. by whom or for
what their money shall be expended. All the
avs affecting their earthly interests and well
Iare are formulated by or receive the approval
lt the committee ON the District of Columbia.
know from an intimate acquaintance and
PERSONAL contact with hundreds of its most
prohiheht clil1ehs that the people OF the ms
rict breathe freer and rest in more confident
ecnrity under the administration of Gen.
irout, knowing that no scheme or Job will es-
ape his vigilent scrutiny. The people iof the
District of Columbia believe in Gen. Grout and
would lament his displacement as calamity
% the District. / cannot conceive but that the
thoughtful conservative people of the Second
District Of Vermont would regard his displace-
ment as a calamity 10 themselves
JOHN Il. THOMPSON.
Do Won want harness9 Il SO innnire Of