The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-06-17

eighth Congress, when Grant lay dying
at Mt. McGregor. 1t was 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-
ed by the opponents Of the urgent mea sure
TO give back to the expiring leader his
military rank. The supporters Of tho
Grant bill, eagerly as they desired 10 get
IT through In time, were not willing TO
sacrifice their colleague from Iowa In or
der TO gain their end, md thus they were
In turn compelled TO resort 10 filibustering
to prevent the consideration of tho cleo
tion case. which was exactly what the
anti-Grnnt party wished them to do. The
Grant bill was blocked, with its beneti
clary close 10 death.
Then "THma Jim" rose TO the heisht
OF Arthur in his hall. Did he understand
that 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 its prs.
server! Could 1t be possible that a merl
contested election case was TO be thS
boulder on which consideration of SO pal
paDle an act of justice was to split? I'll
this is the case" he concluded, calmly.
amid intense silence, 'as 1t unluestionas
ply appears 10 be- the obstacle Is easily.
removed. Mr.. Speaker, hereby resign
my claim to II seat in this House to my
contestant, Mr.. Frederick"
Inc House rang. Every man In the
oody Joined in tho hoarse plaudit that
followed the speech. The anti-Grant men
were stupetied. and the Grant bill passed
the House amid hurricane of cheers. II
was rushed over to the Senate and imme-
aia.eiy passed by that body: and within
an hour after James Wilson, now the Sec
retary of Agriculture, had made way for
its consideration by surrenderng his seat
In the House of Representatives the bill
was signed by The President and became
a law. "Tama Jim" went back TO his
Iowa farm.
Among his old associates in Congress.
secretary Wilson IL still affectionately
known as "Tnma jim" The nickname
was conferred upon him because during
ms service as a Congressman there was
IN the House another representative from
Iowa named James II. Wilson, afterward.
and for many years, n Senator. He died
several years ngo. To distinguish the
two men, Sunset" Cox fastened upon
Secretary Wilson the nickname Of '"Tama
Jim,' from Tama County, in which Is sit.
uated Mr.. Wilson's Iowa farm.
MIR. Wilson, at the very beginning Of
MS career as member of the lower
house of Congress, was the spokesman
OF the agrjcu.turists Of this country in
urging the erection of the bureau of ag-
riculture. rs 1t was then called, into n
separate department, with cabinet Off
Ger at its head. His word may be taken
for 1t that at TINT time he never dreamed
that he would himself one day be called
upon to assume the management of the de.
partment he so zealously strove to estab.
lish. The farmers Of the United States
are still burdening President McKinley's
mail with fluctuations upon his selection
Of Secretary of Agriculture.
The Man ns He Il. .r
~ came here to work for the man with
his coat of" said Mr. Wilson. "The man
with his coat off" Is a favorite figure Of
bis; not unnaturally, for he has been a