Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-12

only effect would be TO break down and
rni1 tbat voupg man, l would be carried
20 one of your lonely hlIISlueS duu snei0
laid TO rest forever
The eject Of this speech was seen and
felt. A primary election was ordered III
Kanavha county and Mr.. kenna carried
the county on q full Democratic vote
AGAINST both OF HIS COMPETITORS.
This led 10 his triumphant nomination
August 10. 1876. He was elected oy a
snIendid majority and accordingly took his
seat. as stated In the outset OF tnls DrleI
biography. -,
liza Congress, Mr. Kenna rapidly devel-
oped peculiar faculties for legislative du-
ties. He was appointed to conspicuous
place on the Committee of Commerce,
which position he served four years, sue
ceeding. in a most satisfactory manner, IN
securing appropriations for the improve,
ment aud development Of the commercial
arteries Of his District and state, ana
rendering valuable service 10 Tue
country at large. December 9TH he dew
cred his maiden speech, and on the zJtn OF
January following, be presented 10 tue
HOnse from his committee the hrst Oil I'M
der his charge. His management OF THIS
measure attracted general attention, ana
resuhed in its passage. He, therefor, de-
developed at the very threshold OF legisls-
tive life an aDtness for il and GOODNESS OF
Judgment meriting the testimonials ne re-
csived from other members, and from
many of his constituents. He never spoke
except when he had something 70 say. his
splendid MISUNDERSTANDING full SIX Ieet-
his smooth dictiOn and clear enumeration,
and his self-poise. never failed 70 attract
attention and cOmmand respect He was
reelected in 1875, 80, and ~. his
growth after the six full years ne setVe9
in the House was continuous ana
steady. But few who served contempt
raueOusly with him developed as rapidly
He ALWAYS represented the progressive,
liberal and vigorous element OF MS party,
and consequently holds the respect OF
those aggressive WORKING members OF MS
own party, and the esteem OF his pohtlcal
opponents in legiSlstive councils.
Mr. kenna is a natural leader or men
He possesses wonderful power over MS
associates, especially in political cam
paigus Because Of this fact be was made
Chairman Of the Democratic National
Congressional Executive Committee In
1856 and was reelected in 1855.
The legislative session Of West Virginia in
1888 was the theatre of great conflict In the
choosing of a Senator 10 succeed the Hon.
II. q. Davis, who declined a re-elecuon. Mr.
Keuua. who had but few months before
been elected a fourth time to the House OF
Representatives, announced his desire 10
become a Senator in Congress. Inc con-
test was a vigorous one, and although sew
eral able members OF ms party
were competing with him Tor TINS
exalted prize in politics. Mr.. henna, Win
apparent ease, carried of the caucus NOM
j1atiOn and was duly elected. He prompt
Iv resigned his seat in the House and on
March 4th took his seat in the Senate. His
long experience in the lower house quail
fed him for great efficiency IN the Senate,
and from the very beginning ne TOOK a
leading rank among the able members OF
that distinguished tribunal. Ready and
forceful in debate, he found no trouble In
sustaining himself upon any question ne
undertook 20 discuss. He was reelected
TO the Senate in 1889. There was 0ut one
OF a Democratic majority in the Leglsla-
ture on Joint ballot, and one member, Hon:
&. =. Dorr, announced at the opening or
the session that nc would not support SEN
ator Kenna for reelection. This made the
contest interesting, especially 10 Mr.
Kenna's political opponents, but tue
well known qualities Of leadership
which he possessed served him IN that
historic campaign. and after months pal
lOtiDg his friends remaining true TO the
last. Delegate Dorr came to his rescue and
mis- election was accordingly secured. II was
a great triumph aud could only have been
won bv one who possessed the ability to
hold TO him with hooks of steel his party
leaders.
Senator Kenna is six feet tall: weighs
lS5 pounds; is light cOmpleXioned; natu-
rally social and genial; has large follow
ing Of personal friends; is industrious and
energetic. In politics his SUGGESTS almost
phenomenal He has been twice married.
His drst wife was Miss Rose a Quigg, Of
Wheeling, whom he married September
9th, 1870, and his second wife was Miss
Anna Bennighaus, also Of Wheeling,
whom he married November 2lst, lSl6.