Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-04
Hon. Vim. P. Frye.

| n ncrited one No man has a stronger
hold upon the affections of Maine people.
| They have implicit faith il him; in his
| splendid abilities, his unblemished char
actcr, and above all, his answering de-
vofion to principle There is no cleaner
man in American pubic life today, and
none who has had more constantly the
courage Of his convictions. Ills whole
career, both as private citizen and pub
lie official, has been without spot or blcm-
ish. His history is familiar one to Maine
people and yet il will not be out Of place
to review it briefly here in connection
with his fourth nomination to represent
his state In the United states Senate.
Hc was born in Lewiston, Maine, sept.
2, 1880. He graduated from BoSvdoin
College in the class of 1850 and studied
law in the Office Of Hon. VIM. Pitt Fes-
scndcn. After being admitted to the bar
he began the practice Of his profession in
the city of Rockland but soon removed
to Lewiston, which has since continued to
be his home. He rapidly won recogni-
State. and official honcrs came thick
and fast. He was mayor of Lewiston in
1866 and 1861 was presidential elector in
1864; represented his city in the State
Legislature in 186l-1S62 and 1867. He
served three years as attorney general
of the State, and was a
member of the national Repub-
lican executive committee in 1872, 1876
and again in 1890. He was a delegate
to the national Republican convention
in 1872, 1876, 1882; was made trustee
of Bowdoin College in 1880, and received
the degree Of l.. l.. D., from Bates Col
legc in 1881 and the same degree from
Bowdoin College in 1889. He was elected
representative to the forty second Con
gress and held his seat in that body CON
tinuously until 1889 when he was elected
to the United States Senate, to fill the va
cancy occasioned by the resignation of
ton of secretary of state in the cabinet Of
President Garfield.
He won prompt recognition in Congress
not only as one of the strongest men in
his party, but also as one of the best
equipped and most eloquent debatcrs at
the nation n capitol. In the lower house
of Congress he was chairman Of the Ii
brary committee; was for several terms
u member vfsthc judiciary committee and
was Il member of the committee on ways
and means. In the distribution of the
Geneva award he cspoused the cause of
in the House through four Congresses and
in the Senate through one, until the bill
introduced by him originally in the House
became law and the entire fund was
distributed according to it's terms. In
the Senate he was for several years chair
man of the committee on commerce; n
member of the committee en- foreign re
lations, and on privileges and elections,
and also chairman of a special committee
on Pacific railroads. He is now mem
Der of the COMMITTEES on commerce and
foreign relations, and on revolutionary
claims.
Senator Frye has always been noted for
his aggressive and uncompromising
Amcricansm. He has a patriotic love
for his country believing that no effort
/ should be spared TO maintain, at all times,
its dignity both at home and abroad.
1t was largely through his efforts
that the attention of the country was
called to the condition of affairs in Samoa,
and all will remember his ringing and
scathiDg speech on the policy of in
fanny" pursued by the Cleveland admin
istration in dealing with the Hawaiian
question. His postal subsidy and tonnage
bills received a generous share of his at
tcntion for several years The enactment
of the former into law, and the passage
of the latter through the Senate in the
efforts.
But, after all, one must see Senator Frye
in his own home to see him at his best.
He is a man of generous impulses and
warm sympathics, a devoted friend and
loving husband and father, and public
spirited citizen. He has a keen sense of
humor and is one of the best story tcllers
in the country.
As political orator he stands without
a peer. His services arc in great demand
in every campaign, in all the states of the
Union, and the number of miles he has
Travelled, the number of speeches he has
delivered, the amount of active work he
has been able to do for his party it, would
be difficult to estimate. Speaking of the
quality of Senator Fryc's oratory recent
writer says;
1.-THE best public speaking is the high
| oct exrrciso of human functions 1t Is