West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1893-09-28
And One OF the Most Prominent Lead.
ers OF the National Democracy.


whose picture we givo above, is
lawyer by profession and was born
at New Lebanon, Sullivan county,
Indiana, May 30, 1886, and is
therefore in his 5sth year. His
family removed to Jacksonville.
Illinois, in lS4S, and, after recolv.
ing his early education in tho Illi-
nois College, he graduated at tho
University of Indiana in 1858.
lie studied law and was admitted
to the bar IN 1859, and practiced
in Springfield, the State Capital,
where he still resides. lie was
Secretary of tho State Constitu-
tional Convention in 1862, served
in the Legislature in 1S7l--2, which
was engaged in revising the laws of
the State. In 1874 he was noml-
mated by the Democratic Conven-
ton and elected to Congress, where
he has served ever since, represent
ing the 18th District, which Is COM
posed of the counties OF Christian,
Mason, Menard, Morgan, Sanga-
mon and Tazewcll. Ho has n very
strong holt on his constituency and
will probably be kept in Congress
so long as he chooses to remain.
Last election his plurality was 4,7l6
over Charles p Kane, the Repub
lican candidate. AS soon as he
entered Congress, he attracted
national attention and at once took
rank rs one OF the Democratic
leaders, and it was a resolution
introduced by him that helped
defeat Gen. Grant for u third term.
On the 10th Of Decem ber, 1875, he
introduced in the house resolu-
ton declaring tho precedent Of
retiring from the Presidential Office
after the second tenn had become n
part OF our republican spstem of
government, and that any depar-
ture from this time -honor.d custom
would be unwise, unpatriotic, and
franght with peril to our free insti-
tntion. This resolution was adopt
ed by a vote Of 233 to IS, aud such
large vote contributed very mater
tally todefcat Gen. Grants re nom
NATION in 1876, for the third term,
which his friends made so gallant q
fight for, and the election of Sam
mel j. Tilden, which followed. In
the same year that Mr.. Springer
entered Congress he was made
Chairman Of the Committee on
Expenditures in the State Depart
ment, aud has been an active mem
Der OF yarlous committees in every
Congress since. lie was mem ber
Of the famous Potter Committee
which investigated the Presidential
election Of 1876, aud Of the Joint
Committee which reported the
Electoral Commission Bill OF
1867, and in the last Congress
he was chairman OF the Ways and
Means Committee, the most impor-
tant position in tho House next TO
the Speakersbip. This position is
now held by our own Congressman
William J.. Wilson, and Mr.. Sprin-
ger is Chairman Of another very
important Committee.
lie didn't like It very we'll
because "our own Billy Wilson"
Knocked him ont, but he had TO
make the best Of it.
In 18S2--4 he delivered nnmer-
ous and exhaustive speeches in
Congress ON the establishment Of
the Tariff Commission and tho
revision Of tho tariff.
lie has also introduced several
notable bills and his amendment to
the bill granting 81 5000 TO the
Centennial Commissioner and his
successful efforts in recovering tho
amount through tho United States
Snpreme Court, won for him a wide
reputation. During the 50th Con.
gress he secured favorable action IN
the Committee on Territories, Of
which be WAS Chairman, on his bin