The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-24
1I:E LATE JUDG.. HOLMAN.

of the House of Representatives. lie
had Macon's idea that the government
ought to measure it's expenses by its in
come. and that government ought TO
be economically administered. For hold
| ing such views, Macon was honored and
elected Speaker three times. Holman
was ridiculed and often given inferior
positions on committees. This SHOWS
| the temper of the two eras
| We are getting too far away from the
| economy and simple methods of the
fathers. Judge Holman, if he could not
check the wanton extravaganza, could
and did stop some of it and always pro-
tested against it. There is crying need
for more Holmans in public life, men
who believe that the true theory of gov
eminent is to cut off extravagant appro-
priations when there is a deficit instead
of increasing taxation upon an oppressed
people.
The following extracts from just and
kindly sketch in the Washington Post
will be full of interest to all true Demo
Gratis:
Senator Turpie said, few days before
Mr.. Holman's death: HE owns the old
homestead yet, and perhaps, not much
more" Then the Senator added, thought
fully, and almost reverently, after more
than thirty years of public service he re-
tires as well off as when he entered Con-
gress." This was indeed a most eloquent,
though simple tribute, to the honesty of
Mr. Holman. 1t furnished food for re-
Election. For. unconsciously, there were
called to mind many instances of public
men who had grown wealthy in the SER
vice Of their country. Senator Turpie
added, with feeling: His great public
services have benefited the country
added nothing to his private fortune"
This brief, simple and eloquent tribute
of Mr.. Turpie expressed more than pages
Of ford language could have done to
commemorate the public service of an
honest man. Senator Turpie knew Mr.
Holman better than any other public man
in Washington. They had been friends
for years, served in Congress together
when Turpie was a member of the Sen
Unity yctt1S dSO. hoCHutol L III PIC cOiu
yesterday when asked to publish his es-
innate Of Holman as statesman: He
was. / think, the best posted Representa-.
tive in Congress on matters of current
legislation. especially public lands, In
dams. and general appropriations. His
memory for the details Ca legislative life
that are too frequently 'unconsidered
trifles in the estimation of our Congress-
men, was very accurate. If l had oc-
casion to go to him to ask about the
status of piece of legislation before
Congress. as | frequently did, Mr.. Hol-
man could turn to the page and remember
dates without hesitation. | considered
him man of scholarly, of literary attain
ments of a high order. In his speeches,
however, he wasted no time in embellish-
ment-in ornamentation. But he argn.
ments were always strong and clear and
full of information. His speeches in this
Congress. it seems to me, have been as
bright and as effective as any delivered by
him formerly. His opinions have always
been treated with great Difference by
those who knew him well and thoroughly
and appreciated his worth. He was the
chairman of the Appropriations Com
mittee for one session, and had been Il
member of it for several years, and this
imposed a deal of work on him. He was
burdened with the duty of making OBJ
jections and faithfully performed it, thus
mourning the enmity of lobbyists and
Others whose cause he considered to be
unjust. He was always one of the most
useful and efficient members of the House
irrespective of administration. Members
were always glad to have his support,
but dreaded his opposition.
ION the stump he was equally effective
as speaker. His tone was colloqual,
and all understood him. He was tire
less canvasser. and often travelled in his
own wagon to the school house and
cross road meetings. I think he had a
larger personal acquaintance with voters
than any other Indianian. In his rounds
through the different counties he would
always call on his friends and acquaint
ances.'
"An Indiana resident of Washington,
intimately acquainted with Mr.. Holman,
relates many anecdotes Of Holman ON
the stump. 1t has been said that Sena-
tor Perkins, of California, who enjoys
q very wide acquaintance of the plain
people of the Golden State, used to have
IL UTICk OIL dShfUS every OtHcI HAL ne Ltt.
whats the time of day?' and, being
told, he would turn his watch backward
or forward, according to circumstances,
and the time-giver always felt compli-
mented. They say that Judge Holman
used to request "a chew of tobacco from
the villagers, where he canvassed, and
that this endeared him in the hearts of
the rustics. Another story told is that
Judge Holman was billed to speak one
night at Manchester, Ind. Senator Tur-
pie, who preceded him, addressed the viii
layers for about on hour, and Holman fol-
lowed him. At the close of his remarks,
he said: "My dear friends, before l con-
clude I must call your attention to the
case of Widow Jones, who has lost her
COW. 1t was the principal support of her.
self and little children. l will give ten
dollars toward buying her another cow?
Just pass around the hat among the
neighbors." The hat was passed around,
$50 was realized, and the Widow Jones