The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1897-08-19
OUR OWN dude" lewis
The Distinguished COrfrtsSmanS Portrait
Appears in a Leading Magazine.
INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
which Contains Incidents OF n
Pleasing Nature TO our Readers
An Ex-Yaktman Gives "a Glimpse
of Alaskan Life.

is in the Illustrated American, a very
good likeness, typical pose and all, with
short article from his pen showing why
congress, and not the president, should
recognize foreign governments. Mr..
Lewis is an uncommon person and while
TIE HERALD will not reprint his Article,
it will publish the biographical sketch Of
the American regarding Washington's
distinguished congressman:
1t is not so uncommon for the adven-
turous New Highlander to seek new
home and career in the West, but the
Southern men who do this can be counted
on lever fingers, One of these excep.
tons, whose discussion of the preroga
tives of President and congress appears
in this number, is James Hamilton
Lewis, representatives at large from the
state of Washington.
He is Nnginian by birth. and related
by blood to many of the best men OF an
earlier generation ia various parts of the
South. While child he was taken by
his parents to live in Georgia; but after
completing his university education and
being admitted to the bar he found the
quiet of his old home oppressive and
struck ont for himself Washington was
then territory, but visit to its princi-
pal seaport convinced him that it had a
great future. The nearness of the British
dominions had fascination, moreover,
for young attorney who as student,
had made specially of international
law.
1t was hard struggle for time to
keep on top of the wave, for his means
were slender, and of the mass of clever,
pushing men among whom he was thrown
good many went down every year.
Lewis never lost faith in himself for an
instant. Every opportunity which came
in his way was seized and improved to
the uttermost. No matter whether he
understood thoroughly the principles un-
derlying a case when he saw retainer in
view, he took it and plunged in. What
he did not already understand he set
himself to master.
His audacity made him marked man
even among those who had worked their
way up by bold strokes in the face of
difficulties. Before he was thirty years
old he had been offered and declined
democratic nominations for representa-
tive in congress and for governor OF the
new state. Two years later he was sup.
ported by "a part OF the legislature for
United States senator, and in the Chicago
convention of 1896 his name was pre-
sented for the nomination for the vice
presidency. He did stand for represen-
tative that year, and, although it was a
bad season for democrats, was elected by
majority of more than $4,000 over the
old republican congressman.
As lawyer Mr.. Lewis has had some
very interesting cases in the United
States supreme court. Among others
was that OF a Swede named Nordstrum,
who had been sentenced to death for
murder in Washington. The defendant
had never been indicted, but had been
prosecuted on information, under the
provisions OF the state constitution. The
federal law admitting Washington to
statehood required that the state consti
tuition should contain nothing repugnant
to the constitution of the United States,
and the constitution Of the United States
requires indictment in all capital cases
Lewis therefore took an appeal for his
client on the ground OF the unconstitu-
tionality Of the trial and conviction. This
was probably the first time such a point
had ever been raised, and it caused wide
comment among the supreme court bar.
Versatility of expression is Lewis's
great gift as a campaigner. He can stir
the hearts of the Greek and Italian fish
ermen by his stories OF the powers of their
peoples in ancient times. He can talk
Bismarck to the Germans IN German,
the First Consul to the Frenchmen in
French. lie can sing baritone airs from
the leading operas when he visits must
cal community or Stump" an athletic
crowd on running long jump.
al suppose We all have our little vani-
ties" he said once, when complimented
MIN on his many accomplishments.
"You remember how a shrewd person
warmed even the heart Of the Iron Duke
by remarking, when presented: Il have
longed, your grace, for the honor of meet
ing the one man in Europe who is proof
against fattery.' But the palm for deli
cate compliment belongs to man who
called me to the door of the house the
other day.
Is this Col James Hamilton Lewis p
he asked as faced him.
Plain Mr. Lewis, at your service |
answered..
Mr.. Lewis, said he, Il was 80 much
struck with a speech you made in the
house last week that | went to the docu-
meot room to get copy for myself and
another for friend. They charged me
five cents for copy and | hadn't the
change. Could you lend me enough to