Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-09

the war. Governor Kirkwood thought OF the
sincere and successful young man whom h,
had known in Ohio, as well as in Iowa. II,
placed Mr.. Allison on his staff with the ranl
OF lieutenant colonel and gave him full au.
thority to raise regiments in northeastern
Iowa and to equip them for service in the
field. Mr.. Allison entered On this work with
great zeal. 1t was not an easy task
Following his services in raising regiments
Mr.. Allison suffered from a protracted sick
ness. He had hardly recovered from that
when he received the nomination and cleo
tion to congress from the old Third dis
trict.
Mr.. Allison took his seat in the house on
the Sd Of December, 1853, James G. Blaine
and James A. Garfield took their seats in
the same house for the first time. The three
men always remained warm personal as well
as political friends
Mr.. Allison was three times reelected
serving in the house from 1868 to 1871. He
declined denomination in 1870, for the rea-
son that he had before that contested,
Wright for a seat in the senate and his own
ambitions, as well as those of his friends,
were centered on that body.
In 1872 Mr.. Allison was elected to the
United States senate, succeeding Senator
James Harlan. He took his seat March A.
1873. He has been four times reelected
since. 1t is a remarkable term of service.
During 1t all he has grown in the confidence
and the affections of the people Of the state,
so that at his last reelection there vas
neither vote nor opposition against him.
Mr. Allisons first important work in the
senate was in reference to the government
of the District of Columbia, which was at
that time in control of what is known as
the Shepard regime, notorious for it's ex-
travagances and abuses. The government of
lative bodies, one house compo ell or
twenty-four elective members and the other
Of twelve members appointed by the pres
ident. There was a further complication In
the form of the Board of Public Works.
A congressional Joint select committee was
appointed to investigate these abuses and to
formulate a scheme for better government.
The work done was laborioua and volumi-
nous. In June, 1874, Mr.. Allison, as chair
man, subm tied the report. which was
printed in two large volumes. The form of
government recommended by that commit
tee Is still in force and under it Washing
ton has become one Of the best governed
as well as most improved among American
cities.
RANK IN THE SENATE.
Interested in all questions Mr.. Allison
has been especially identified with tariff
and financial legislation. AS member of the
committee on ways and means In the house
he has given careful attention to the de'a's
as we'll as to the principles Of protective
tariff. He has continuously been an advo-
cate Of tariff for protection, so levied as
to afford ample income for the government.
At no time an advocate Of extreme duties,
he has all the time stood for the idea of
protection for American industries.
OF equal Importance has been Mr.. All
sons participation in financial Legislation.
Early in his congressional career he gave
attention to these difficult problems. No
man either within or without congress has
given more ser.oIs thought to them. AS
far as the practical questions CT receipts
and eXpend lures are concerned he Is by
all factions regarded as an authority in
congress. He has been at the head of the
appropriations committee, except during the
time the senate has been in the control
Of the democratic party. since 1881. This
committee is next to the finance committee
in re'ative Importance.
Mr. Allison was twice rendered a scat
in the cabinet first by President Garfield,
with whom he had entered the house in 1868,
and next by President Harrison. In 1881
his domestic affairs prevented him from
accepting the coveted seat He shared with
Mr.. Blaine the desire that the three men,
namely, Garfield Blaine and Allison, who
had entered public life together, should
be united in a single administration.