Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-17

test called to the stump the strongest men
on both sides of a contest.
The Quaker parentage and training Of
Major Butterworth were constantly evil
denced in his political as we'll as private
life. He was fond of recalling incidents
connected with his early life in southern
Ohio, where his father exerted strong
personality as an abolitionist. The But
terworth family was surrounded by people
who regarded Butterworth, the Quaker. as
a dangerous agitator, and they subjected
evidence of their disapproval. The Quaker
garb, which was followed religiously in the
dress of all members of the family, was
another peculiar feature of the Butter
worth family, and young Ben came in for
bis full share of ridicule which this oddly
Of dress excited.
Ben's father taught him to treat black
children as kindly as he did those whose
by the juvenile Quaker. living on the Dor
der OF slave state, to carry out the pa
rental injuncticns in this regard caused
him many trouble. Tie Quaker prin-
favor of following the Christian precept of
turning the other cheek when a blow was
received. But there was something in the
blood OF young Ben that protested against
practice of this plan. Many a time he
would be involved in Scrap with other
youngsters. On one occasion Ben trudene
nome from school, met little colored tot
standlng on one side of the muddy road,
was provided with high boots, and as he
was starting through the deep mud with
tne delight of boy of eight years the little
girl called to him, asking If ne would carry
ueI across. Ben responded, but he had
nardly reached the middle of the road he
out. piohS caii
That's right. Ben. carry your LITTLE nig-
ger sister over the mud" -ie
ben $ piood boiled, and returning to dry
IT,; ne peean pummelng match with
ms crltic' who had no use for the little
quaker and abolitionist Both bovs want
nome with black eyes and other ey,idenons
vi tneir battle Ben had to own to his
tdther mat ne had been fighting, and then
ne came INTO more trouble
30 intense was the feeling of tho n.;ob
porhood against the Butterworths nc a6n
isionlsts that when, on one occasion. one
OF Ben's schoolinates cut him with a nen
kniIe IN school the teacher dismissed the
matter without disciplining the recreant he
cause of the general feeling that II u.s
Just about what the young abolitionist had
deserved. Years rolled around to find
young Ben and the boy who had cut him
fighting side by side in the Union army
and later as strong workers in the ranks
OF the republican party
The recollection of these early DAYS was
always present with Maj Butterworth. and
they made tender place in his heart for
any man subjected to persecution of onv
KIND for contending for what he thought
was right He frequently moralized on the
tendency OF the times and constantly de-
clared his belief that greed would have TO
be checked if the American people wee IN
continue in their democratic methods. His
mind was naturally that of a preacher and
reiormer. He was frequently called upon to
NIL the pulpit of church. and while n pro-
Tossing Christian, he cared little for demon
national differences. His addresses on
these occasions frequently brought criti-
clsm because of the radical views he took
on questions OF social reform
Elected to Congress.
Major Butterwcrth's active political
career began in 1874 as a member of the
Ohio state senate. He was at that time
a prominent member of the Cincinnati bar.
and had been states attorney for the
southern district of Ohio. In 1878 he was
elected to Congress from the first (rincip
natD district of Ohio He was re-eIected
and served successfully until 1888 when he
was appointed commissioner of patents by
PRESIDENT Arthur. He resigned this posi-
ton to take his seat in the Fortvnintb
Congress. and was reelected to the F;f.
tieth and F'ifty-frst Congresses During
the Fffty-first Congress he was chairman
ol me committee on patents. During his
career in Congress he introduced a mr..
food and drug bill. and worked enerreti
cal!y TO secure its passage, but his denun-
citation OF methods of adulteration did not
: est esuit IN more than calling the attention of
lne country to such abuses
MAYOR Butterworth declined a renom;-
nation for the Fifty-second Congress, and
Iormed co-partnership for the practice
~ Inc Ia" IN all Its branches with Benton j.
Han, late commissioner of patents, and eX-
TneE Der OF Congress from Iowa, and Julia,
Z. lowell who resigned the position of
examiner a OF interferences in the patent
Chlce, ana special counsel for the govern
ment' TO accept a partnership with Messrs.
Butterworth and Hall. This law firm es.
tablished law offices in Washington and
hh ,,s;, ana they secured large patent
BUSINESS. upon the death of Mr.. Hall the
1rm continued as Butterworth & Mcdowell
until Ma Jor Butte-worths appointment as
commissioner CT patents by President Nc
kinley.
second Term as mmissioncr.
His nomination was sent to the Senate
April l and he entered upon the duties of
his office April -. His nomination was a
surprise to no one. He was so well known
as a republican and SO highly regarded as
patent attorney that it was looked upon
as the most suitable selection. but there
was considerable doubt about his accept
ance OF the office. President Mckinley in
sisted that he wanted to make his admin
lstration success by the selection of men
OF nigh character. and not merely those
VINO might want the place to be filed.
Major Butterworth's private business was
more lucrative than the public office he
was called upon to fill, but he accepted the
place at the solicitation of the President
MAJOR ButterWortnS administration as
commissioner of patents was characteristic
OF the man. Whatever he had to do he en-
tered upon with a rugged spirit which
could not be restrained by questions of
policy. For long time there had been
talk of unprofessional methods on the part
of attorneys practiCing before the United
States patent office and he determined to
probe the matter to the core The investi-
cations were conducted with thorough
ness never been equaled in the history of
the patent office.
Major Butterworth's re-entrance into the
patent Office as commissioner was met with
approval from all officials there. He had
been well known during his former occu-
pancy of the Office and soon made him
self the idol of the clerks under him.
Upon taking charge of the office he was
besieged with requests for appointments to
the places under him which We're not in
the classified service, but he declared that
he would not dismiss any who was at
tending to his business, and rather than
do so would leave the office. All the clerks
in his office felt perfectly secure in their
places. He often referred to the strain
upon him in listening to stories of want
from people who called to get places, but
declared that if he should cause the dis
mssal Of others to give places to the ap-
plioant he would do as much harm as
good, and he would not be the cause of
bringing distress upon any one.