New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-28
SENATOR MORRILL'S CAREER.

SENATOR MORRlLLS CAhrEN
Justin Smith Morrill, was born at Strafford. VT.
on April H. 1910 His early life was spent on nIs
fathers farm and he obtained his education In the
common schools and academies In his neghhor-,
hood. When he grew TO manhood he became
merchant and with his partner had stores In yari-
Gus parts OF Vermont. He started In business for
himself with capital OF $780, saved from his
ings as a clerk He prosperous. and by lS8
came TO the conclusion that he had made money
enough and decided TO retire and pass the rest or
his life in farming He bought farm In Strafford
and settled down there. Twins for seven years the
life OF farmer having married at the age OF forty.
He refused several business offers. preferrng his
quiet life. In 1884 he urged to stand for Con-
gress; he consented condition that his town
and county should be solid for him. He was NOM
mated In the convention with practical unan.mity
on the regular Whig ticket He was elected by
small majority and took his seat in Congress
December s. 1855. Two years later he was renon-
mated without opposition and was elected by Q
majority OF between nine thousand and ten thou
sand votes. He elected To the House OF Rep
resentatives six times in all.
He served on the Ways and Means Committee.
and in 1860. though he was the ranking Republican
member. he declined the craftsmanship. He was
made chairman of the subcommittee in charge Of
the Tariff bill OF this year, however and prepared
the bill known by his name that was the prototype
Of protective legislation enacted since The bill was
passed on March 3, 1861, and was signed by Presi-
Buchanan
most radical feature the substitution Of specific
for ad valorem duties in a large number OF cases.
In 1864 and 1855 Mr.. Morrill, was chairman OF the
Ways and Means Committee During his twelve
years In the House he member Of several
other important committees. including those on
Agriculture. Reconstruction the Retellious States
and ,he Death OF President Lincoln.
HIS ENTRY INTO THE SENATE.
When Senator Collalner died. in 1866. the Governor
NJ he
to MI the vacancy. but he declined wishing an
election in the regular way In 1866 he obtained it,
for the term beginning 1861. In his first term In
the Senate Senator Morrill, served on the COM
mittees on Finan ees Postotces and Claims. He was
e-eected in 1872 1878 1884, 1890. and again In 1895
During Reconstruction days Senator Morrill,
strongly opposed the readmsson OF Virginia TO the
Union with or without coalitions, but In this he
stood alone in the Senate. He also strongly op-
posed In 1871 the annexation Of Santo Domingo ana
in April Of that year he delivered speech against
the proposition which filled fifteen colun ms of The
Congressional Globe" He Of the op-
ponents of the famous Salary Grab act" Of ls'3
and the back pay which he received under that
law was deposited In the State Treasury OF Ver-
mont II was afterward returned to the FederA'
Treasury by the Vermont Legislature
He always WIS In favor OF honest money and FOR
the redemption of the legal-tender notes or 'he
United States in coin. He was also In FAVOR or ap
nlving portion OF the proceeds OF the sale OF pub
lie lands 10 public education and the endowment
and support OF National colleges The law as
trbut,ng parts OF the public lands among the
States TO be used In supporting agricultural COL
leges WAS ore OF his favorite projects. and It's
adoption IT. iue chiefly TO him. lie introduced X
first in his second term In the House and although
Il was passed IL vetoed by PRESIDENT bucn-
anan He brought IL forward again early IN
President Lincolns Administration. win i-ncons
sirrature the kill became law, by when to-day
every State In the Union has an aglcuitura COZ.
lege with an annual revenue from land grants OK
s22 600 .,, =, ,,o NJ.
He favored 1850 the refundng OF the Ma
tional debt al a lower rate OF interest ana IN
the following year he advocated the creation OF
TIA rin Commission investigate the tarin and rev.
enue laws A he work Of this Commission led to
revision OF the tariff by the law OF 1873.
Committee Oh Finance and OF that on Pubic
buildings He served also the committees on
Postoffces and Post Roads and Claims He was
a Regent OF the Smithsonian institution from 1850
until his death.
product OF his spare hours. and IL displays a lit
erary taste and acquaintance with books not often
associated with political pursuits. IL Is coec-
tion OF anecdotes illustrating that quality which
the compiler Justly called self-consciousness rather
than vanity
LONG AND HONORABLE SERVICE
Words can neither add 10 nor take from the fame
Of a career so completely rounded the public
and private life Of Justin 5. Morrill, In the Con-
OTTO HUBER BREwERy's SPECIAL BOOK
all hot al At hrau