The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1897-06-05

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.
Iama 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
military rank. The supporters of the
Grant bill, eagerly as they desired to get
IL through in time. were not willing to
mcrihce their colleague from Iowa in or
ger 10 gain their end. and thus they were
IN turn compelled to resort to filibustering
10 prevent the consideration Of the cleo
uon case. which was exactly what the
Cnu-urant party wished them TO do. The
urant bill was blocked, with its benef.
cary close TO death.
ihen "Tama jim rose 10 the height
~ arthur in his hall. Did he understand
uat lne mere question as to whether he
va" TO be permitted to retain his seat in
congress stood In the way Of nations
ambition of common gratitude to its pre-
server! Could 1t be possible that mere
onlested election case was 10 be the
o.u u,uer on which consideration of so pal
yao'e an act of justice was to split? IF
us the case," he concluded, calmly.
.niu intense silence, "as 1t unquestiona
Wy appears to be, the obstacle Is easily
removed Mr.. Speaker. l hereby resign
~. claim to a seat in this House to my
"ntestant, Mr.. Frederick"
Inc House rang. Every man In the
Souy Joined in the hoarse plaudit that
.olowed the speech. The anti-Grnnt men
we're stupehed. and the Grant bill passed
'ne house amid a hurricane Of cheers. II
s aus rushed over to the Senate and imme-
.'a,eiy passed by that body: and within
~ nour after James Wilson, now the Sec
..'ary OF Agriculture, had made way for
vonsideration by surrendering his seat
.ne House of Representatives the bill
vas signed by the President and became
Jaw. lama Jim" went back to his
among bis old associates in Congress
secretary Wilson Is still affectionately
-nown as Tama jim" The nickname
as conferred upon him because during
"a service as a Congressman there was
.ne House another representative from
viva named James r. Wilson, afterward.
.nu ior many years. a Senator. He died
overall years ago. To distinguish the
"o men, Sunset" Cox fastened upon
Tecretary Wilson the nickname of "Tama
sm, from Tama County, In which is sit
'-eo Mr. Wilson's Iowa farm.
ar. wilson. at the very beginning of
career as a member of the lower
~ 'se OF Congress, was the spokesman
Tue agriculturists of this country in
si slng the erection Of the bureau of ag-
"euture, as II was then called. into a
parate department, with cabinet off,
-. az Its head. His word may be taken
a., ~. u that az that time he never dreamed
na. ne would himself one day be called
npon 10 assume the management Of the de.
rial.'nent he so zealously strove to estab-
n The farmers of the United States
ms e sun burdening President McKinley's
a. with Fluctuations upon his selection
secretary of Agriculture.
-, The Man as He il.
NJ. came here to work for the man with
s's coat off. said Mr.. Wilson. "The man
Nv, Nm his coat Off" Is a favorite figure of
NOT unnaturally, for he has been q