The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1897-06-17

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 it's antagonists resorted
to 6libustering tactics.
"Tama JIM" for several previous terms
a 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-
ed by the opponents of the urgent measure
to give back to the expiring leader his
military rank. The supporters of the
Grant bill, eagerly as they desired to get
1t through in time, were not willing to
sacrifice their colleague from Iowa in or
der to gain their end, and thus they were
in turn compelled to resort to filibustering
to prevent the consideration of the cleo
ton case, which was exactly what the
anti-Grant party wished them to do. The
Grant bill was blocked, with it's benef-
ciary close to death.
Then -"Tama Jim" rose to the height
of Arthur in his hail. Did he understand
that the mere question as to whether he
was to be permitted to retain his seat in
Congress stood in the way of nations
exhibition of common gratitude to it's pre-
server! Could it be possible that a mere
contested election case was to be the
boulder on which consdera ton of so paI
pable an act of justice was to split? eff
this is the case" he concluded, calmly.
amid intense silence, 'as it unquestiona-
Oily appears to be, the obstacle is easily
removed. Mr.. Speaker, 1 hereby resign
my claim to seat in this House to nv
contestant, Mr.. Frederick
Inc House rang. Every man in the
body Joined in the hoarse plaudit that
followed the speech. The anti-Grant men
were stupefed. and the Grant bill passed
the House amid a hurricane of cheers. II
was rushed over to the Senate and imme-
olately passed by that body; and within
an hour after James Wilson, now the Sec
retary OF Agriculture. had made way for
It's consideration by surrendering his seat
IN the House of Representatives the hill
was signed by the President and became
law. llama Jim" went back to his
Iowa farm.
Among his old associates in Congress-
Secretary Wilson is still affections telv
known as "Tama jim" The Nickname
was conferred upon him because during
us service as Congressman there was
IN the House another representative from
Iowa named James F. Wilson, afterward
and for many years. Senator. He died
several years ago. To distinguish tbo
two men, Sunset" Cox fastened unon
Secretary Wilson the nickname of .0Tama
JIM, from Tama County. in which ;s cit.
uated Mr.. Wilson's Iowa farm
Mr.. Wilson, at the very BEGINNING ~
MS career as member of the lower
mousse of Congress, was the spokesm . r
OF the agricultursts Of this country -
urging the erection of the bureau of 40.
nculture. as it was then called. into >
separate department, with a cabinet off.
Ger at its head. His word NAV ha t.i,ar
for it that at that time he never dreamad
that ne would himself one day be caIied
upon to assume the management of tbe do.
partment he so zealously strove to estah.
fish. The farmers of the United Stafae
are still burdening President McK;nlar,s
mail with Fluctuations upon his selection
OF Secretary of Agriculture.
The Man as He II.
came here to work for the man With
his coat of" said Mr.. Wilson. .srhe ma
with his coat off" is favorite figure 81
his; not unnaturaliE. for he has been !