Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-28
wHEFTING DAILY REGISTER TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 1885

ule of that section OF the state, ana
whose reelection was strongly urged
by many OF the most influential citizens
OF the district.
But Mr.. Kenna found his way to the
hearts aud confidence of the people, aud
the Congressional Convention OF the
old Third district, which met in August,
1875, in the city of Charleston, Is mem
orable for its long and stUbbornly fought
contest. the balloting continued Tor
three days, and at midnight OF the tniro
day young Kenna's candidacy was
crowned With success, and he was
borne in triumph on the shoulders OF
his loyal friends who had stood by MS
banner throughout the varying yicissl-
tudes of the contest.
II is fitting to call to mind here, Mr.
President, that all three OF the compet'-
tors in that noted struggle OF q lew
years ago have passed over to the great
majority on the other shore-Hereford,
in the rlpeness of years, after having
served as member OF this body, as well
as in the House of Representatives-the
brilliant Walker, in the noon-ume OF
life-and to-day we mourn for keana'
Mr.. Kenna took his seat in the other
end of the Capitol. in the special ses-
sion OF the Forty-tfth Congress, on the
10th day Of October, 1876.
His abilities were recognized at the
very threshold of his Congressional lie.
He was at once assigned to tie Commit
tee on Commerce, where he rendered
signal service to the people Of his dis
trict In carrying forward the improve
ment Of the Great Kanawha and its
tributary streams, in which his consult
uents were deeply interested.
Samuel j. Randall, the great Demo
cratic leader, while Speaker OF the
Forty-sixth Congress, in speaking OF
Mr.. Kenna, in a letter to friend, said:
II knew the moment first saw him
that Mr.. Kenna was strong man. lie
impressed me by his honesty OF pur;
pose, the clearness and drectness OF
his views, his knowledge OF parlia-
mentary law, and his courage and read
mess in debate. l predict for him
brilliant career"
Such was the estimate placed upon
Mr.. Kenna by the man who has been
described by a political opponent as
1.-THE strongest force OF half century"
And, Mr.. President, the prediction OF
the Speaker OF the House then was no
more than verified by the future.
Mr.. Kenua's election to the Senate
was the natural and merited reward,
earned by his service in the House. He
was elected for the term commencing
on the 4th of March. 1883, soon
after reelection to his fourth
term In the House OF Represen'
taives. He was elected TO
succeed Hon. Henry G. Davis, who de-
clined to be candidate for reelection.
| had the pleasure, as his friend, OF
aiding his election and OF welcoming
him TO his seat in this body as my COL
league, serving with him four years,
receiving from him the same courteous
friendship that had received from him
throughout life to its close. lie was
again elected his own successor In jan
uary, 1889, for the term which, through
the will OF an all-wise and nscrutable
Providence, he left vacant before It's ex-
piraton.
DYING almost under the shadow OF
this Capitol, he was laid TO rest on the
14th day of January last, with the rites
of that ancient faith whose teachings
he followed through life, and with the
best honors which his State and coun-
try could bestow. He sleeps beneath
the soil of his native State, on the
sunny slope of one OF her hills, over
looking the valley of the beautiful
Kanawha.
The West Virginia Legislature, which
was at the time session, promptly
availed herself Of the provisions OF the
Federal statute authorizing each State
to contribute to the Memorial Hall or
the National Capitol the statues OF two
of her departed citizens who have been
conspicuous in her history, by passing
bill making an appropriation for that
purpose. So that John Il. Kenna, the
first to receive such honor from his
State, will live in marble in the Ma
TONS Capitol as we'll as in the hearts OF
the people of his State; and the devoted
friend, whose earnest energy aided In
bringing about SO promptly this we'll
merited tribute, illustrates LIES friend
ships, that do not end with the grave.
Mr.. President, almost the first words
spoken by Mr.. Kenna in the House OF
Representatives. and his last words In
this body, were delivered on such occa-
sions as this. Eloquent, tender and
touching words they were. The irst
was tribute to Judge Leonard, Re
preventative from the State OF Louis
lana, who, like himself, was richly en-
dowed with noble qualities, and who,
like himself, died before he had reach
ed the MONDAY Of his life. His last
public utterance in this body was an an
nouncement OF Senator Barbour's death.
The impressive language OF Senator
Kenna in honor of his friend, Judge
Leonard, spoken in the House fourteen
years ago, is to-day almost as applicable
to his own memory as they were then to
Judge Leonard; aud | cannot close my
tribute to the memory Of our departed
friend more appropriately than by quot
ing his own words on that occasion. He
said:
"AIR. SPEAKER: In the cutting of Of one
in the prime and vigor OF early manhood,
with life only half spent, the glory OF
achievements arising in beauteous visions
OF future that is not for him, there is
something which makes an impression ut
erent from that which comes from the de-
parture Of one in the fullness OF his years.
do not mean that the power OF choice
would enable US TO determine, that age and
experience could be better surrendered
than youth and promise. The need
of sucn decision has been
wisely spared by an all-seeing
benefcent Providence Nor would / be
understood tointimate want Of considera-
ton for those who have realized the full
measure OF three score and ten. There IS
an attraction about the silyery frosts OF
seventy winters which the yellow sands OF
thirty summers cannot possess. There is
something akin to another world in head
dad In rrhifa and