The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-26
Career of the New Senator.

Louis Emory McComas has served four
terms in the lower house of Congress and
is at present on the Supreme bench of the
District Of Columbia. He was born in
Washington county, Maryland, ffty-one
years ago, Oct. % last. His early education
was received in the schools of Williams
port He was q student at ST James Col
lege and afterward went to Dickinson Col
lege, where he graduated in 1866. He COM
menced the practice of law in 1868, hav-
ing studied with Hon. r. II. Alvey, form
erly chief. justice of the Maryland Court of
Appeals and now chief justice of the Court
of Appeals of the District of Columbia.
Mr.. McComas early developed d taste for
politics. In 1876, at the age of thirty, he
ran as the Republican candidate for the
Forty-fifth Congress in the Sixth district
of Maryland and was defeated by Hon. Will
liam Walsh by the slim majority of IA. Mr..
Walsh one of the greatest advocates
not only of western Maryland, but of the
whole State, a man of exalted ability and
of sterling worth. To come so close to beat
ing such a man a high tribute to a
young and inexperienced candidate. When
the campaign for the FOrty-eighth Con-
gress came on McComas was again in the
field. This time he was elected, ana for
occasion he encountered foemen worthy of
his Steel. The Democracy of the Sixth dis
trct pitted against him the very flower
of its orators and of its chosen men, Mont
gomery Blair, Frederick }. Nelson, l.. Vic
tor Baughman and Henry Kyd Douglas
Montgomery Blair with his age his ex-
perience and his perfect training in poll
tics, his high public and private reputation
10 In
te4lgently ana 1orcIDly the current issues.
The contest hinged on the tanff Mr. Blair
issued manifesto IN favor OF low tarIn.
with this as ms text, he traVerSed the en-
tire tAStrlct, MS opponent closely following
on his heels. Mr.. Blair was supremacy con-
nuenu OF success. He predlcted TO the last
moment his election by more than double
the majority winch McComas received,
about 700, and was overwhelmed with dis
appointment at the result.
In his other successful campaigns it was
scarcely less complimentary for MIN to run
away with men like Nelson and Baughman
ana douglas, men fluent in speech, grace
ful in manner, captivating in style, men
OF energy and endurance, who through the
entire campaign in which they participated
forced the nsnting. Mr.. McComaS often
said he never had a more exciting or a
more pleasant campaign than that between
him and Colonel Baughman in 1886. The
TWO were then, as now, warm personal
friends, although the stanchest of political
enemies Botn went through the entire
canvass of months, showing each other no
that chivalrlc courtesy and consideration
so rare In campaigns, and leaving naught
put fragrant memories. The history of
these four campaigns would be sufficient of
itself to show how thoroughly equipped
and able a debater Judge McComas is and
how thoroughly conversant with public af-
fairs.
In 1890, after the enactment of the Me-
Kinley tariff, McComas met his second de-
feat for Congress, General McKaig beating
him in big vote by the plurality of 165.
He went down in the general drift caused
by the popular revusion of feeling on the
tariff, the Republicans not electing a hum
dred members of the House. His support
OF the force bill also probably lost MIN
some votes. He insisted that the motive
which influenced him would have brought
no disapproval if properly understood.
The Washington correspondent of the
Baltimore sun says: In the eight years
Judge McComaS served in Congress he was
an attentive Industrious, efficient member,
a party man undoubtedly, but never for
getting he was the representative of the
whole people of his district and of I his
State. He was not in the habit of COM
handing the time of the House with windy
eefrusions, spoke only when he had some
thing 10 say, and when he finished sat
down. He was always popular and respect
ed on both sides of the House, and his per-
sonal influence was marked. No member
enjoyed more friendships without regard to
party distinctions.
In the presidential campaign of 1892 he
was the secretary of the national Repub-
lican committee. where his assiduity and
practical business methods made him
most valuable adjunct. Shortly after the
election of that year President Harrison.
who, like President Mckinley, is a warm
personal friend, appointed him to the bench
of the Supreme Court of the District of CO.
lumbia the position which he now holds
In his judicial, in his legislative career
Judge McComas has earned rich praise. In
whatever character of court proceedings he
has presided, civil, criminal or what il
might be. he has invariably given faithful
and conscientious consideration in every
case. whether of magnitude insignif-
"a r no N fpbf nd
an able judge is the verdict of all who have
occasion to form opinion. In social.
equally with political ana judicial life. Is
he respected and admired His acQuaint-
ance IS OF the widest and the best. and
Maryland viii have reason to fear for
him any comparison either to her own
lives in either branch of Con-
gress or those of any other State. In the
lrIme OF ME. of undated physical and
mental vigor a thorough man OF affairs.
cogent reasoner. 4 ready taller, of attrac-
tive ard agreeab & presence. strong in the
esteem and confidence of others. he will not