The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-06-18

eighth Congress, when Grant lay dying
at Mt. McGregor. 1t was a Democratic
House. Carlisle was the Speaker A
bill was introduced restoring to Grant
the rank of general. To throttle consid-
GRAFTON Of the bill its antagonists resorted
to filibustering tactics.
"Tama JIM" for several previous terms
representative from Iowa, now held his
seat Professionally. 1t was contested by
Ben, Frederick, his Democratic opponent.
A contested election case has the right of
way in Congress. The pretext was seiz-
cd by the opponents of the urgent measure
10 give back to the expiring leader his
mllltary rank. The supporters of the
Grant Dill, eagerly as they desired to get
II through In time. were not willing to
sacrlhce their colleague from Iowa in or
DER to gain their end, and thus they were
IN turn compelled to resort to filibustering
10 prevent the consideration of the cleo
tion case. which was exactly what the
anti-Grant party wished them to do. The
Grant bill was blocked, with it's benef-
clary close to death.
linen "Tama JIM rose to the height
or Arthur in his hall. Did he understand
tnat the mere question as to whether he
was TO be permitted to retain his seat in
congress stood III the way of a nations
exhibition of common gratitude to it's nre.
server! Could it be possible that a mere
contested election case was to be tba
boulder on which considerati ton of so nal
paoie an act of justice was to split? "If
THIS IS the case" he concluded. calmly
anna intense silence, "as it unouestiona-
Diy appears, to be, the obstacle is easily
removed. Mr.. Speaker, hereby resign
my claim to seat in this House to nv
contestant, Mr. Frederick"
Inc House rang. Every man in tho
ooay joined in the hoarse plaudit that
ionoWed the speech. The anti Grant men
were stupef1ed. and the Grant bill passed
the house amid hurricane of cheers. II
was rushed over to the Senate and imme-
ulateiy passed by that body; and within
an nour after James Wilson, now the Sec.
retary OF Agriculture, had made wav for
its consideration by surrendering his scat
IN the House of Representatives the hill
was signed by the President and became
I law. llama Jim" went back to his
Iowa farm. ~ NO
among his old associates in Congress
secretary Wilson is still affectionatalv
Anown as Tama JIM" The nickname
was conferred upon him because during
us service as Congressman there was
N the House another representative from
Iowa named James F. Wilson, afterward
ana Tor many years. a Senator. He died
several years ago. To distinguish the
TWO men, Sunset" Cox fastened mon
secretary Wilson the nickname of ssTama
Jim, from Tama County, in which is sit.
uated MIR. Wilson's Iowa farm.
MI. Wilson. at the very beginning Of
MS career as member of the lower
mousse OF Congress, was the spokesman
OF the agriculturists of this country IN
urging the erection of the bureau of az.
riculture. as it was then called. into a
separate department, with a cabinet off.
Ger at its head. His word may be taken
Tor 1t that at that time he never dreamed
that ne would himself one day be called
upon to assume the management of the de.
partment be SO zealously strove to estab.
iish. The farmers of the United States
are still burdening President Mckinley
mail with Fluctuations upon his selection
Of q Secretary of Agriculture.
The Man as He II.
81 came here to work for the man with
his coat OF }" said Mr.. Wilson. .sThe ma
with his coat of" Is favorite figure o.
bis; not unnaturallS. for be has bean .