The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-01-20
Hilliken EuIogiZed.
ioquent and Willing Tributes Paid his
Memory in Congress.

jIoquent and Willing Tributes Paid his
Memory in Congress.
The memorial exercises in honor of
llun. Seth L. Milliken, late a member of
He National House of Representatives
rom the Third Maine district, were held
n 5he hall of the House Saturday after
uoun and were honored by an unusually
large attendance of members. Speaker
Reed was in the chair. A number of old
mem bers on both sides of the House
anticipated in the exercises and many
oquent and willing tributes were paid
~ the late congressman, whose cordial
address and warm sympathies had made
lm host of friends in Congress, both in
and out of his own political party. The
customary resolutions of respect were
offered by Representative Burleigh of
Maine Mr. Milliken's successor, and
unanimously adopted. Those who spoke
were Messrs. Burleigh, Rep, of Maine,
who succeeded Mr.. Milliken; Dingley,
Houtelle, Dinsmore, Dem, of Arkansas ;
Skinner, Dem, OF North Carolina Mercer,
Nep., Of Nebraska, Hilborn, Rep, of
alifornia; Hicks, Rep, of Pennsylvania,
and Little, Dem, of Arkansas. Mr.. Bur
.eigh said in part:
l..
ud furcibily illustrates the possibilities of
American citizenship. The hopored posi-
.inu Aa attained in the councils OF the ma
ton was due in no degree to the accident
1T birth OF fortuitous circumstances.
F.o7. tAe early age of IA years, when he
-It .is country home to secure an educa-
rn ngh s. which his Grandmother bad
-uu 1m from her revolutionary war
bp NJ
st he ever had-and walked forty
miles to save stage fare, he was wholly the
architect Of his own fortunes. To youth
lt less resolute mold and tenacity of pur-
pose the obstacles in his way would have
seemed insurmountable; but, though his
nnauclal resources were meagre, he was
not without capital.
lie had Inherited vigorous constitu-
non, and hard work in the open air amid
tile rugged hills of his native town had
given him the buoyaGey of good health
and taught him habits of industry that he
retained through life. When scarcely
emerged from childhood he took up the
burdens of life without experience in
worldly affairs, ana with no resources save
Ibis own untiring industry He had his
o@u way to make in the world, and the
detailed story of his struggles and his
trumphs might well serve as source of
INSPIRATION to the youth of America.
In 1896 Mr.. Mlliken was graduated
nom Union College in New York, after
having taken a three years course at what
Is now Colby University, in his own State.
SlX weeks later he was elected to the
Maine House of Representatives, and was
returned the following year. Thus in
early life he acquired knowledge of
legislative procedure which proved of
great assistance and value to him in later
years.
I'm 1858 Mr.. Miliken was elected clerk
Of the supreme judicial court for his native
county. While serving in this capacity he
pursued the study of law with the Hon.
Nehemiah Abbott and Judge Diokerson of
belfast, two of the most eminent lawyers
of Maine, and was admitted to the bar in
lS7l Prior to his election to Congress be
had travelled nearly 80, 600 miles in pre-
Senting the principles of his party to pop
ular audiences. The intimate acquain-
tance he thus secured with public men and
measures furnished an excellent equip
ment for his subsequent duties as mem
Der of this House.
During his long and distinguished ser
vice here he was painstaking and con-
sClentlous representative, thoroughly de-
voted to the interests OF his constituents,
and that they fully appreciated his labors
IN their behalf is evidenced by eight con
secutive elections with constantly increas-
lng majorities.
''Mr. Milliken came of good stock. On
the paternal side he was of Scotch descent
ms maternal ancestors were the Counts Of
Ferngaux, who were prominently identifi-
ed with the early history of France. He
thus inherited the best characteristics of
TWO strong races; from his father a strong
VIII, tenacity of purpose and marked
power of analysis; from his mother a poet
zeal temperament, innate courtesy and a
ready wit. 1t is to the combination of
these qualities that we may trace his
notable success as public speaker and
his happy faculty of making and retaining
strong friendships
Mr.. Dingley, who followed, said: ''Mr.
Speaker, my colleague (Mr. Burleigh),
who now represents on this floor the
district so long represented by Mr..
Milliken, has so fully sketched the life,
character and public career of our deceased
friend, that but little remains to be add
ed by myself.
my acquaintance with Mr.. Milliken
dated from his admission to college, more
than 40 years ago; and this acquaintance
ripened into friendship in the years which
followed, and into warm personal at
tachment during the IA years in which we
served together in this hall as representa-
ties from the State of Maine.
''Few members have ever appeared in
this hall who were more affectionately re-
garded by associates than Mr.. Milliken.
His unfailing courtesy in debate, his
kindliness of personal intercourse and his