Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-07-06
The End of Life at Last.
HANNIBAL HAMLIN'S CAREER.
beginning a Printer He Achieved a
High Position in National c ounciIs

Beginning as n Printer He Achieved a
High Position in National ouncils.
Hannibal Iamlin was elected vice presi-
dent of the United States on the ticket
with Abraham Lincoln. Like many other
great men, he got his start in life at the
printers case. The money he earned
while work ng at the printers trade was
expended in acquiring his legal education.
Mr. Hamlin was born in Paris, Oxford
county, Maine, Aug. %, 1890. The death
of his father compelled him to forego the
advantages of collegiate education, for
which he was prepared, and he took
charge of the home farm until ne became
of age. He learned the printers trade,
studied law. and in 1888 was admitted to
the bar and practiced law at Hampden,
Penobscot county, Maine, until 1913.
In abe Public Service.
He was member of the legislature for
four years-from 1886 to 1s40-and also at
other times until 1s47, being part of the
time speakeS of the house He introduced
joint debates in the Harrison campaign,
and was elected to congress in 1912 and
1874. Then in 1913 he was sent to the
United States senate, and was reelected
thereto. All this time he was a Democrat
but in 1857 he was elected governor of the
state as a Republican, but only served
month, resigning to enter the senate again.
Here he stayed until he was elected vice
president.
Last Appearance in the Senate.
Late in 1865 he was appointed collector
of the port Of Boston, but resigned, from
this Office in 1866. Mr.. Hamlin, during his
public career from 1861 to 1865, had acted
as regent of the Smithsonian Institution,
and in 1870 he was reappointed, serving for
twelve years. His last appearance in the
United States senate was when he began
in March, 1850, a service of two terms, re-
firing in 1881. A year later he went as
minister to spain, but remained there one
year only. Senator Hamlin was an orig
inal antislavery man, but, ike Abraham
Lincoln, he sought merely to prevent its
extension into new territory. After his
election as vice president Mr.. Hamlin went
to Chicago to meet President Lincoln.
.sHow He Got Acquainted with Lincoln.
The two had never met before, but each
recalled speech that the other had made
in congress, and they were not long in get
ting acquainted. In political matters Mr..
Hamlin was always prompt. His execu-
tive force was of a high order. Perhaps
his most distinguished characteristic was
the dignity with which he invested every
action. Years after he retired from poll
tics his influence was felt, more from the
force of example than anything else. Many
politicians OF the present day remember
him as the link that bound the present to
the past. HIS was a familiar figure in
Washington. He always wore a dress
suit of rusty broadcloth, and went about
the street, re CARELESS of the weather, with
no other projection.
His IJcorrup tibIe Integrity.
Mr.. Hamlin was incorruptibly honest
During one of his terms in the senate some
Legislation was being considered in con-
gress in regard 10 one of the railroads. The
bill came W in the senate and it needle
but vote or two to pass If. At this mo-
ment brother senator came to Hamlin's
desk and said: Senator Hamlin, if this
bill passes The Blank Blank railroads