The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-12-31

and was I'm 1867 elected 10 the senate TO sue
coed Hon. Luke +. Poland. He held his
seat IN the senate since that date without
interruption, having been elected six terms
successfully. His present term, TO which
he was chosen in 1896. would not have ex-
pired until 1903.
Previous 10 entering congress Senator
Morrill, had been engaged In mercantile ana
agricultural pursuits and much OF his pub
lie life had been devoted to the uplifting OF
interests dependent upon these lines OF
business. He had received In his youth an
academic education and was from his early
days a close reader and careful analyst OF
public questions IL was at the beginning
OF the war that Mr.. Morrills practical bust
ness training brought him forward as n
man or national reputation.
Author OF the MorriIi Tnrin Act.
He was the author OF the Morrill, tariff
act OF 1861, which was the basis OF all the
tariff legislation OF war times. In 1864 he
became chairman OF the committee on
ways and means, the principal committee
of the house, and at that critical time OF
especial Importance. After enteilng the
senate Senator Morrill, continued TO give
his attention largely TO financial and COM
mercial questions and during the greater
part OF his term OF service he was Identified
az member OF the committee on finance.
which committee deals especially with
these subjects. lie first became chairman
of this committee IN 1877. succeeding SEN
ator Sherman when the latter entered the
cabinet of President Hayes, and he held
this position continuously after that date
except during the Forty-sixth and Fifty
third congresses. when the democratic
party controlled the senate. and during
those intervals he continued at the head OF
the republican representation on the COM
mittee In recent years he delegated the
greater share OF the details OF the commit
tee work 10 the younger members OF the
committed, but there had been but few
times when he was not a regular attendant
upon the committee meetings and many in
stances are related OF his surprising
activity I'm directing the affairs OF the com
mlttee up to the last. lie had AT his fin-
gers ends a wealth OF Information con-
corning the tariff and financial questions.
which were always useful In the elucida-
tion or problems then under consideration.
Some of His Pet Ideas.
During his long career Senator Morrill,
gave his attention 10 many questions and
no man In public life was more given than
he 10 taking up subject and holding on
TO IL through years and years until con-
summated. lie was the real father OF tho
scheme for the construction OF building
for tho Congressional library and to him
and Senator Voorhees,. who early Joined
him In pressing this question upon con
gTess Is the splendid library building IA
monument Very near 10 his heurt also
was the plan for the erection OF sister
Dullulnk TOT the supreme court. lie hau
been pressing a measure looking 20 the
construction OF such n building for many
years and had on three different occasions
prevailed upon the senate TO pass his bill
for this purpose. His last appearance IN
the senate was on the 18th Inst when he
made n speech OF half an hours duration
I'm advocacy OF the supreme court build
ing bill. lie at the same time prevailed
upon the senate 10 pass the bill in the face
OF some opposition.
To Senator Morrill, probably more than
anyone else was the present splendid en-
dowment OF most OF the state agricultural
colleges due lie was the author OF the
original bill giving aid TO these colleges
frcm the proceeds OF the sales OF the pub
lie lands. and he had never refused them
the encouragement OF his assistance. lie
opposed the annexation OF the hawaiian
islands TO the last and he was understood
60 be averse TO the exercise OF any sort OF
American sovereignty over the Philippines
Senator Morrill, was an indefatigable
worker and while not an orator he spoke
gracefully and forcibly and was always
listened 20 attentlvely Ills great age and
high position caused him 20 be universally
esteemed by the other members OF the
SENATE.