The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-29


In 1856 Mr.. Cullom entered into public
life as a candidate for member of the lower
house of the General Assembly. He was
elected and took his seat at the succeed
ing session.
Cullom had always been in sympathy
with the principles of The Republican
party and was warm friend of Abraham
Lincoln, who had assisted him in a
material way when he was struggling to
finish his legal studies.
In 1850 he was reelected TO the Illinois
legislature and became speaker.
RECOGNIZED BY LINCOLN.
The future was now bright for him and
his successful career as public man
seemed already assured. IN 1862 Presi-
dent Lincoln appointed Mr.. Cullom, in
connection with Gov. Boutwell, Of Massa-
cbusetts and Charles A. Dana of New
York, commission to examine and pass
upon the accounts of quartermasters and
commssary officers. This was far more
important service than to the casual
reader would seem probable, and one
which required the exercise OF discrimin-
e;ing care and sound judgment.
In the same year Mr.. Cullom was pre-
vailed upon to become candidate for the
State Senate, but suffered defeat. Two
years later in 1864, he was nominated by
the Republicans for Congress in the old
Eighth district and was elected.
In 1866 and again in 1868, Mr.. Cullom
was reelected to Congress, but in 1870
was defeated for the nomination. In 1872
he was again elected TO the State Legisla-
ture, and being the unanimous choice OF
his party, was again elected speaker. In
1874 he was for the fourth time elected
representative OF his county in the AS
sembly.
It was at this time that the friends oi
Mr.. Cullom began to put forward his
name as a candidate for Governor OF Illi-
nois.
He was elected in the autumn, and hiE
inauguration followed at the beginning
of the next year. AT the end OF his four
years administration OF the affairs OF
State, he was elected to serve a second
term-the first instance of such a re-elcc-
tion in the State.
The expiration OF the term Of Judge
David Davis as United States Senator
from Illinois in March, 1883, suggested
the election OF a Republican to succeed
him. Governor Cullen was at that time
only half way through his second tern, as
governor, but the Republican caucus
nominated him 10 represent Illinois IN
the United States Senate, and he was con-
sequently elected.
He was renominated by his party With.
out opposition, and was reelected to the
senate in 1890.
Senator Cullom's career has been
brought most prominently before the
public through his introduction and
championship OF the Interstate Commerce
law, which he successfully piloted through
both houst of Congress.
In person Senator Cullom is tall and
thin; his hair is black, tinged with gray;
his forehead high and massive, indicating
great intellectually, and his features
mobile and clearly cut. He closely re-
sembles Lincoln in physique, as be does
in not few OF his mental characteristics.
Unlike that great man, however, the
senator possesses q natural ease Of car.
riage and grace of manner.
M-. Cullom ia now sixty.two years OF
age. OF robust strength, and enjoys the
virile vigor OF man at two score. He ia
chairman OF the Committee on Interstate
Commerce Of the Senate, and has been
since its creation, and il a member Of the
following important committees OF the
Senate: The Committee on Commerce, the
CO.. nittce on Appropriations and the
COMMITTEES on the Qusdre- Centennial.