The evening times., 1899-01-14
sATrRpAY. JANUARY u. $50.
MIR. DinGlcN.

After prolonged struggle that was en-
tirely characteristic of the man,
the Hon. Nelson Dngley, succumbed
10 pathological conditions that would have
carried off nine in every ten men at
mach earlier stage. In his tenaclty OF
life he revealed the chief cause Of his sue
cess-for the position he gained was for
him A higher measure of success than ls
enjoyed by many men Of renown. He rep
resented The best type of New England
men who are not endowed with brilliant
intellect He was a plodder, with a per-
sistence that wrung victory from adverse
circumstances. He had principles to which
he was faithful, and he formed habits of
industry that make failure in life impos-
sible He took his own measure well and
knew what ambitions TO cherish. He was
not original. but he was courageous in
maintaining the doctrines he adopted. The
result OF ii was a useful man in whatever
enterprise he engaged ina man whose
Judgment and energy We're in demand and
whose work was appreciated within the
limits of his interests.
Without a native talent for the literary
quality OF newspaper work that is indis-
pensable to the most successful editor-by
which Is meant that command of the tools
OF speech which enables the editor 10 add
grace TO sirength-and without sense
OF humor, Mr. Dingley used the newspaper
as a stepping-stone 10 a political career and
there is no doubt that his training as po-
IiticaI editor OF . Lewiston paper was OF
The greatest value TO him throughout his
public life He saw in The eGitorship of
that journal q position CT influence in poll
tics Tor which he had a natural bent. He
was conservative almost 10 the point OF
radicalism. He was 50 pro as 10 be al
most con" Believing in the doctrines of
his party. he could hardly tolerate the idea
that there were limitations to their appli-
cation OF that compromises were TO be
Countenanced. Whenever partisanship ran
high MIR. Dingley Was the man of the hour.
OF his superlatiye honesty there was never
any doubt and his convictions. if narrow.
were intense. lie took 10 statistics as
men OF broader culture take TO light litera-
lure as recreation. Hc was slow. which
in The popular mind means to be profound
and safe Ills feet were always on the
ground, for he had respect for what he
took TO bc facts and "A distrust of fancy.
Inevitably. when he entered Congress he
steered straight for the Ways and Means
- Committee, OF which he as inevitably be
came The chairman al last.
lie had long been prominent as one of
The leading Republican members. his ad-
vice being held in great respect by his
more brilliant associates. When his op-
portunity came to frame and report a tar
. if bill. he displayed the courage and
almost audacity Of his convictions. Hav-
ing always believed that to a high, pro-
tective tariff the country owed its indus
trial greatness, and that favors to par
ticular and small class Of capitalists were
well paid for by general prosperity that
could not be achieved by a bold fight for
the worlds markets, he was relentless in
applying the doctrine of protection at a
time when many Of his Republican asso-
ciates doubted the necessity ana wisdom
Of a stern adherence 10 the dogma. He
carried the day. and his name is connected
with a schedule that is execrated by for
eign nations. He died before the new
conditions OF our national life had ef-
fected the overthrow of his system. in the
firm belief that his work was to be cred
ited with an increasing Industrial activity.
Personally, he was much liked as well as
respected by all his contemporaries in
Congress. He was admired for his integ-
rity and sincerity. and for his amiability:
his intensity and gravity when his princi-
pies were in question were borne with good
nature by men Of all parties. and his
tremendous capacity for work, his love oi
work made him a reproach to all idlers
lie viii be missed by the Republican lead.
crs, including the President TO whom his
advice was always valuable. and by all hi.
associates in Congress, while the loss tC
his committee viii be most severe. Hi:
was an excellent eharacter-a credit Il
New England and to America.