Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-30
BRINGING THE EEafAIss.
MIR. WINDOWS CAREER.
His Honorable Pubic Service-A Biographi.



c:il sketch.
Sir. Window has had an honorable career and
held the public confidence in his integrity and
conservative wisdom. He may be said to have
had two public careers Having retired from
political life after the close of his senatorial
term in 1888 and devoted himself TO private
business, he was again called to the government
service by Mr. Harrison. and as Secretary OF
the Treasury during the past two years he has
earned high distinction in the financial world.
The skill with which he managed the resources
within his reach to avert panic when a
severe financial depression was upon the coun-
try during the late summer and fall showed
him to be fnaIcier of marked ability and
gained him the confidence of the business COM
munity. His anxiety and hard work during the
period of serious depression in the market sub
jected him to severe strain, but
he never showed any signs of ply
steal weakness. of hesitation or I'M
certainty OF purpose. He took deep interest
in the money question which is now agitating
the whole country. and devoted himself earn
estly to the promotion of a middle policy for
financial legislation. Men who have carefully
studied his plans for the cautious yet substan-
tial enlargement of our currency. believe that
the wisdom of lis policy will be attested by
time.
In private lie -Nr. WINDOW was most highly
esteemed. His manners were kindly toward
every one, and sympathetic consideration
marked his treatment of those troubles which
were brought TO his attention. The humblest
petitioner for appointment in his depart
ment, and by these his sympathies were sorely
taxed, received consideration and kindness, If
nothin., more. High position gave no more
superior claim to his coursesy.
Mr.. Window was born in Belmont county,
Ohio, May 10, 1927. He received an academic
education in his native state, studying law at
Mount Vernon. and was admitted to the bar i'll
1850, being then twenty-thrce years of age.
Two years later he became prosecuting at
torney of Knox county. After serving for
three years he decided that Ohio was getting a
little crowded with young lawyers and moved
to Minnesota to grow up with the country.
This he did to such good purpose that lie
was elected to Congress after q three years.
residence in his adopted state. From 1859 to
1869 he represented his district in'the lower
house of the national legislature, serving twice
as chairman Of the committee on Indian affairs
In 1865 he was chairman of q special committee
that visited the western tribes and again in 1867
of a committee to investigate the conduct of
the commissioner of Indian affairs.
His honorable service in the lower house nat
urally made him man Of mark in his state
and in 1870 he was appointed to I'LL the unex-
pired term of Daniel s. Martin in the Unitet,
States Senate. In the following year he was
O.,
reelected for the term expiring in 1893 In the
Senate he served as chairman of the commit
tees on enrolled bills and transportation and
as a member of tine committee on appropris,-
tons. During his senatorial, career he dis
played an unusual grasp Of financial affairs and
upon the accession of President Garfield he ac-
cepted the treasury portfolio. During his short
term Of service in that responsible POSITION he
secured the extension of the government bonds
then coming due at the lowest rate of interest
then known in this country. thus materially re-
ducing the interest charges of the government
and causing that series OF bonds TO be known az
the "Windoms." The death of Garfield and the
accession of Arthur to the presidency was fol-
lowed by reconstruction of the cabinet and
Window retired, TO be succeeded by Judge Fol-
ger of New York. The Minnesota legislature
reelected him to serve out the remainder OF
his own term in the Senate. Although his Ell
tire public career had been stainless he failed
Of reelection. owing to the ambitions and
Jealousies Of other aspirants. During his last
term in the Senate he was chairman of the com
mittees on appropriations, foreign affairs and
transportation.
After his defeat for the Senate in 1888 he re-
tired to private life until called to enter the
cabinet of President Harrison az Secretary OF
the Treasury. His conduct Of the affairs o.
that Office until his death was marked
by sound conservatism. While lacking
the dash and brilliancy of Blaine ht
was a safe, sensible public man, of unblem
ished reputation. and was generally regarded
by the public at large as one Of the stronges
members of the Harrison cabinet. In his dealt
the public service OF the country suffers q seri
Gus loss