Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-06-29
Gen. Adlai E. Stevenson.
AN ABLE REPRESENTATIVE AND POPU-
LAR PUBLIC OFFICIAL.

L
The nomination of Gen. Adlai E.
Stevenson, of Illinois, for Vice Presi
dent. cannot but be popular one, and
must add strength to the ticket. Mr..
Stevenson was born in Christian coun-
ty, KY, on the 23rd day of October,
1885, but belongs to an old North Caro-
lima family. In 1859 Mr.. Stevenson's
family moved to Bloomington, Illinois,
where he had excellent educational adj
vantages. He was for some time
student in the Illinois Wesleyan Uni
versity, but completed his education at
Center College, Danville, KY. He was
admitted to the bar in 1858 and imme-
diately began the practice of law at
Metamora, ILL.,, where he remained un.
til 1868. In 1851 he was appointed
master in chancery and held the office
for four years. In 1854 he was elected
district attorney, which position he
term moving to Bloomington, ILL.,,
where he formed partnership with
his cousin, Hon. James s. Ewing. The
firm soon attained the first rank at the
Mclean county bar and enjoyed a very
large and lucrative practice.
Mr.. Stevenson was married in 1866 to
Miss Letitia Green, daughter of DIR.
Lewis w. Green, an eminent Presby-
terrain minister, who was president of
Center College, Danville, KY, at the
time of his death. In 1864 Mr.. Steven
son was presidential elector on the
democratic ticket In 1874, in a dis
trict reliably republican by about 5000
majority, he was nominated for Con-
gress and defeated Metropolitan can
didate by 1885 majority. He was re-
nominated in 1876, but this being a
presidential year the party lines were
closely drawn, and he was beaten by
about $50 plurality. In 1878 he was
elected to Congress, carrying every
county in his district, his own county,
which in 1876 gave Hayes 1900 majori-
ty. and in 1880 gave Garfield over 1900
majority, casting it's vote for him.
In 1880 he was renominated for Con-
gress. Although this was PRESIDENT
al year, he was beaten by but little
more than 200 votes. Before the next
election the State was re-districted by
a Legislature which had a republican
majority. On account of Mr.. Steven
sons popularity he was placed in dis
trict every county of which was repub-
lican, Garfield's majority therein hav-
ing been over 2,700. In-1So2, in this
new ulSUrlcU, WITHOUT uoluOcrdClc
county in it. Mr.. Stevenson yielded to
the desire of his party, and once more
made the race for Congress. He came
within $50 votes of carrying his district
This was his last candidacy for Con-
gress. In the following election his old
opponent was re elected by over 2,700
majority. These elections not only de-
Mr.. Stevenson's strength
with his own party, but his ability to
win votes from his opponents as well.
In 1884 he was delegate to the Dem
ocratic National Convention, and after
the election he was pressed by his
friends for the position of First Assis-
tant Postmaster-G General, to which he
was appointed by Mr.. Cleveland, and
served throughout his administration
with great efficiency. 1t is said Mr..
Stevenson has as many warm personal
friends in Washington as any official
who ever held Office in the Distr ct of
Columbia. One of the last official acts
of Mr.. Cleveland was to nominee Mr.
Stevenson for justice of the Supreme
Court of the District of Columbia, but
the republican Senate failed to act up
on his nomination. Since his retire
ment from the Postoffice Department
he has been engaged in the practice of
law at Bloomington Ill