The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-17

the Rock Island and Delaware. Lacka-
wanna Il Western railroads, the United
States Trust Company and other cor
porations before he was 30 years old. Gov.
Reuben X. Fenton soffered him
iudgeship. which he declined, and in
1868 the death of his father compelled
him to retire from practice and
give his time to the management of the
estate and trusts connected with it. Re-
tanning an active interest in his
ale" movement, which resulted in
giving the Alumni share in the
government of the institution. He was
at once elected to the board of trustees by
heavy vote. and by successive elections
was confined in Office. He always took q
keen interest in politics and was an en-
thusiastic Republican during the civil war.
He had been the successful counsel for his
sisters father-in-law, William Il. Dodge.
In his noted contest for a seat in the house
OF representatives, and in 1872 he was HIM
self elected to the house from the New Jer-
sey district where his country-place was sit
uated. lie took high rank as debater
almost at once. and became noted as one
of the few men 20 whom the house would
always listen. lie discussed, in his first
term, questions of banking and currency.
the ranking privilege, the Pacific Mail
subsidy and the government OF
sent him, with Clarkson N. Potter
aud Gov. Charles Foster, 10 New
Orleans 10 investigate the outbreak of the
White League against the Louisiana iegis-
lature. which had led Gen. Sheridan 20
dsnouncs the league as "banditti." Both
parties finally agreed TO abide by
the committees decision, and the legisla-
ture was organized In accordance with their
report. From the outset of his congress
sionAl career Mr.. Phelps showed inde-
pendence, and on one party measure, the
so-called civil rights bill which. as q
lawyer, he declared unconstitutional
fas tbs courts subsequently heidi
he voted against the Republicans.
The vote cost him his reelection,
and he was defeated by votes in a dis
trict that he had previously carried by
2.7i5. lie had become warmly attached TO
James q. Blaine, speaker OF the house, and
was his ardent supporter in the presiden-
tial campaigns OF 1876, 1850 and 1884. His
prominence in the Blaine campaign of 1854
made him q target for the cartoonists. and
his face was made almost as familiar TO
the people as Ben Buffers. In 1881 Presi-
dent Garfield sent him as United States
minister 10 Austria. whore his familiarity
with the languages and customs Of
the country, his liberal mode OF
life and his intense Americanism made
him a valuable representative. On the
change OF administration he at once ten
dered his resignation. and nnalIy retired
IN August. IesI lie was Immediately
elected 20 congress again from his old dis
trict. aud served through the Forty
eight, Forty ninth and Fiftieth son-
crosses, always running hundreds. and
sometimes thousands, ahead OF his
ticket. His assignment on committees re-
auired him To give much attention 20 for
elgn affairs. but he also took special inter-
est in discussions on the tariff, the fner-
chant marine and tho congressional
library. lie was one OF tbs
founders Of the Union League
Club. and had been a regent Of
the Smithsonian Institution. Immedi-
ately after the Inauguration Of President
Harrison he appointed Phelps q member
OF the Berlin commission TO settle this
Samoan question. He performed his
duties with such ability and obtained such
popularity that The president after
wards appointed him minister To
Germany. Phelps was familiar with
German history aud spoke the Language,
and his daughter married a German noble
man. No American minister, except
Bayard Taylor, ever was 30 much thought
OF in Berlin. ON his return to New Jersey
GOV. Werts. . Democrat. appointed him
Judge Of the court Of appeals. His fortune,
Il large part Of which was ia railroad
stocks, was about si2. 2.oco.oo0l