The Yale expositor., 1896-04-17

three Michigan districts in that year
played considerable part in the organ
izatiOn of the 5lst congress, which gave
to the country Speaker Reed and the
Mckinley law. His business record in
congress is unsurpassed by that of any
man who ever served one term in
congress. He secured for his district
an Indian school located in Isabelle
county, and a pOstotlice and govern
ment building in Saginaw. His speech
on the Mckinley bill is the model Of a
short, condensed statement of prac-
tical and conservative business mans
views on the great question of the
tariff. His activity in the interests of
the wounded and disabled veterans of
this state made him name in congress
as the soldiers friend. Through his
personal efforts at the pension Office
in securing and compiling evidences
and urging the adjustment of claims,
and in securing the passage of special
pension bills he made happy nearly
1000 veterans and their descendants in
his district alone. AS member of
the labor agricultural committees he
was an active champion of all meas
ures introduced in the interests of
these two great classes.
Besides holding political offices he
has rendered valuable services to his
city and state as an honorary officer.
He served eleven years on the school
board of Saginaw city and five years
as treasurer of the soldiers home
board at Grand Rapids, after serving
as a member of the commission which
located the home. He also served as
colonel on the staff of Governor Alger,
and has also rendered valuable services
to his party as vice president of the
Republican National League of clubs.
The subject of this sketch has a
state reputation as a philanthropist
and few men have given more to
churches, colleges, schools and other
notable charities, than he He is one
of the few men who prefer to give
while they live.
While all cOncede that he would
make an excellent governor if elected,
his friends press his claims as the
most available man for the party to
unite ON. In support of these claims
they point to his record, public and
private, as an open book, that needs
no apology and no explanation. When
he is nominated Republican orators
will need TO waste no time III defense,
but may devote their entire energy to
attack--vigorous, aggressive attack,
which also insures success in war and
politics. The same rule applies in
both. The man who is put on the
defensive is already half whipped.
Again his friends insist that no one is
able to point to a Republican vote he
will lose if nominated. He is in per
feet touch with his party, has made no
enemies and is in position to enlist
the active services OF every fighting
chief and faithful private in the grand
Republican army. With the Bliss
banner flung to the breeze there will
be no skulker in the camp and no
traitor to the enemy. Upon him all
warning functions can unite and pre-
sent an undivided front to the COM
mon foe.
We have no words against any man
who may aspire for the nomination,
but we do say there is no other man
in whom we have as implicit faith.
We love a brave, clean man, whose
acts are those of christian gentleman.
We admire a nobility which leads a
man upward in his striving. We con-
graduate our party that il has such
q leader as comrade Bliss. We have
known him at the front cherishing the
soldiers home and it's inmates, feeling
for their misfortunes and pleading for
their maintenance; we have known of
his esteemed labors for the annex,
where today many weary widows of
our comrades are grateful to him and
his co-wOrkers for giving them home
in their old age. We clasp hands with
his integrity and feel the thrill of
brotherly love in his warm clasp. For
these reasons, and because he is fully
and eminently equipped for high
assist in making Comrade n. II. Bliss
the next governor of our beloved
state.