Evening star., 1895-04-27

ranks OF tne sparty, ana 1 squeezed
through by the very narrow margin Of 100
votes. Two years later I was renominated
without opposition and secured a majority
of between 5000 and 10000. Since that day,
out the practically solid support of my dis
indeed"
The Senator paused for a moment to
his career. and, then resumed: Il had
served six years in the House when I
felt that L ought to decline further service.
was tired, andsI s3 told the managers,
These. are war times; We need you. Six
years ago we elected you because you
wanted to be elected. Now you must serve
because we need you.' The first thing done
by. the convention was to pass resolution
declaring that declinations would not be re-
ceived, and l was renominated on the first
ballot. l served in the House through the
war. and did a good deal of work, mainly
upon the tariff and kindred matters
The War Income Tax.
"The resignation OF the members who
joined the south left the ways and means
committee with many vacancies. and was
the ranking republican. Speaker Grow told
me that 1 could have the post. He added,
however, that his state. being greatly inter-
ested in tariff matters. would be highly
gratified If Mr.. Thaddeus Stevens, then in
the prime of his career, very great man
indeed. could be given the Craftsmanship.
readily assented, not caring for the great
responsibilities of the craftsmanship.
But l was ade chairman Of the sub
committee in charge of the tariff bill-that
land and VIM. A Howard of Michigan as
my colleagues. They were both fine, low
able men, and We worked together harmo-
niously. 1 had good deal of aid, too,
H. Pendleton of Ohio, who. though demo-
crat, gave me some Of my most valuable
advice in the preparation OF such legal
measures as the income tax law and the
tax on bequests and legacies. l recall that
he said to me. after he had worked with me
over the legal points of one of these bills:
There, Morrill,, have helped you get that
bill in shape. Now shall take great pleas
ure in voting against it. s."
Miss Swan at this point told how young
Master Morrill,, then little boy. went fire.
quently to the House and sat by his father
during the great debates. Mr.. Stevens and
Mr.. Morrill, were the closest of friends and
sat side by side. Mr.. Stevens was very
fond of the little chap, and often held him
on his lap calling him by the pet name of
Little Ways and Means" When a vote
came he would hold "Jimmie's" hand up to
be counted for the vote of the great Thad
Stevens.
Mr.. morrill, fingers lovingly on these
memories. as they form a part Of most
delightful though the busiest part of his
public career. He went en- to say that the
work that was done in the sixties while he
was in the House was very hard indeed,
and his sister-in-law reinforced this state
ment by saying that often the Senator has
worked all day and all night at the Capitol
and at home on tariff bills.
The Morrill, Tariff Bill.
Mr.. Morrill, says that his early experience
in the country store and finally in his own
establishment, gave him a knowledge of
commercial matters that was invaluable
to him in the preparation of the bill that
has long been known as the Morrill, tariff
name which he modestly says was given
to 1t by the democrats to give 1t bad
odor." The great task attempted and
complished in this measure was the change
Of almost the entire system of revenue
from taxation on an ad valorem to a spe-
ciflc basis That is. his effort was to pre-
vent frauds by undervaluation. This sys-
tenn has now become a part of the great
revenue scheme of the government.
"In 1866 Senator Collamer died." re-
sumed Mr.. Morrill,, "and the governor of
the state wished to appoint me in his
stead. I declined, however, and preferred
Judge Luke P. Poland of the state supreme
bench was appointed, and there was
little skirmish between us the next year
for the election. He retired, however, be-
fore the balloting and 1 was given the
seat. 1 have never had serious opposition
from that day. 1t Is very gratifying very
pleasing, to look back and feel that I have
never asked my state for a reelection.
When the time has come for the remaining
of a Representative or a Senator 1 have
left the people free to choose and it is
the fact that never have l written line
to ask voter or legislator for his suf-
frage 1t is a fact also that l have never
spent money to bring about my election.
can say that with exact truth"
Bcautifyine Washington.
When Senator Morrill, went to the Senate
William Pitt Fessenden Of Maine was
chairman of the finance committee. He
determined to have the Yer
monter as his chief lieutenant, and asked
him to accept place on the committee.
Mr.. Morrill, demurred, saying that two
New England men ought not to have places
of such an important committee. But Mr..
Fessenden forcibly declared that he want
ed some on to help him." and Mr.. Morrill,
was chosen.
He was later made chairman of the COM
mittee on public buildings and grounds,
and it was in this committee that he did
his favorite work, namely, that of beauti-
flying Washington, with handsome public
buildings. That has been his main hobby,
ii he may be said to have a hobby, for
the past twenty years. 1t was largely
through his efforts that the liberal APP
and Navy building Some people believe
that this enterprise did much 10 finally
the promoters of the scheme
that was then being strongly pressed for
the removal of the national capital to
Fully two decades ago Mr.. Morrill, went
to work to secure a new home for the Con-
gressiopal Library, and bent his energies
at once to the purchase of the land on the
east of the present Capitol grounds, where
the handsome library building nearly COM
Dleted now stands There was a counter
to locate the library in Judici-
ary Square, on the site now occupied by
the eension office, and this was fathered
by some of the most influential men of
the time. But so vigorously did Mr.. Nor
rill antagonize the project that when the
was brought to a vote 1t re-
ceived but six voices in support. l
Supreme Court Building.
Mr.. Morrill, tried to have the entire
stretch OF land on the east front purchased,
on both sides of East Capitol street, the
northern half to be used for a Supreme
Court building, but this part of the pro-
ject was defeated, though the land could
then have been bought for much less than
it can be secured for today Mr.. Morrill,,
however. is vet hopeful that the block will
be bought, and 1t Is this undertaking that
he is to push during the remainder of his
official career.