Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-29

anu tne MOrrlll tar1II Oh leol, a mOnu-
ment of industry and practical wisdom.
and the internal revenue tax system of
1852, connect his name indlssoluoly with
the financial history of the time.
In 1866, after twelve years of such hon
orable labor in the House, Mr. Morrill,
was transferred by the Legislature to the
United States Senate. lie TOOK his seat
with an established national fame as a
statesman. A full review of his career
in that digniAed body would be largely
a history OF the United States Senate. AS
chairman of the committee on finance he
has held a position second In power and
influence to no other, and his service as
chairman OF the committee on public
buildings and grounds in which capacity
he did more for the adornment of the ma
tional capital than any other one man,
and as a member of the committee on ed
ucation and labor, has been of the most
laborious and useful character. The i'm
portant speeches made by him in the Sem
ate exceed one hundred in number, and
include n wide range OF subjects They
are marked by exhaustive induction of
ened by touches of quiet humor. lie has
been an authority in Washington. on all
questions relating to finances and taxa
ton, and his opinion on any subject has
carried the greatest weight In Congress.
Mr.. Morrill's period of service in the Ma
tional Legislature has been as remarka bic
for its duration rs distinguished by its use
f,,In 20
at the age of four-score. was an event
without q precedent and will probably re-
main without parallel. The longest pre-
vious continuous term of service n Con-
gress was that of Thomas II. Benton of
Missouri. which was thirty years. Mr..
Morrill, looked back on forty-three years
Of congressional life 1t is the browning
glory of such n career that it has been
absolutely spotless. His name was never
even connected with Job" 10 act Of
questionable honesty or word of ciscour-
tc.y was ever even charged to him. He
has uniformly held the highest respect
and esteem OF his brother legislators of
all parties. us well as of tn. citizens OF
Vermont
His house in Washington has been widely
known for its graceful hospitality as was
his summer home In his native village OF
STAFFORD. where. as lie said ir the re-
marks with which he rendered to the town
his gift of building for the town library.
the stars, The planets and the moon
seem to shine more brightly than else
w ar nd 1rha he hae -
the highest personal regard by old and
young.
Mr.. Morrill, has been too busy in affairs
Of state to give much time tc literary
labor; but a volume entitled "Self-Con-
sciousress OF Noted Persons" being q
collection OF expressions of selt-esteem on
the part OF many famous men and wo-
men, gathered by him ir the course of
his wide reading, was published in 1855,
and second edition in 1857.
Mr.. Morrill, had been for thirty-three
years member OF the board of trus-
tees of the University of Vermont and
State Agricultural College He took a
deep interest in the welfare OF the insti-
tuition, and his name will stard higa on
tie TUE VI us DcHeIdCtOFs, as well as IN
the roll of American statesmen.
Mr.. Morrill, was married in 1851 to Ruth,
daughter of DR.. Caleb Swan of castor.
Mass, lovely and estimable woman, who
died, greatly lamented, last April His
only son, MIR. James s. Morrill,, is his sole
survivor, of his own blood
Mr. Morrill's death will bring sorrow TO
many Vermont hearts. Though he had
nearly reached four score and ten and
comcth tc his grave lin Il full age. like as
shock OF corn cometh in his season."
he retained to the last his powers Of mind
and kindly and lovable traits of charac-
ter and with them the afrectionate attach
ment of a host OF personal friends. II is
safe to say that Vermont never had son
who held Il higher place in the esteem,
confidence, ard warm regard of the peo-
pie OF Vermont than Justin 8. Morrill,.
Time will only add to the general appre-
citation of tie very high value of his pub
lie service. He was the Nestor of the
United States Senate; the trusted coun-
sellor of every President during the past
third of century; an earnest patriot
n pure and highnlinded legislator; a pub
lie spirited citizen, a true and good man.
THE memory of the just is precious"
and his fame will remain a priceless pos
session to the people OF his State.