New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-14
State, devoting himself especially 10 the work o.
counteractins the efforts OF the Greenhackers
HIS CAREER IN CONGRESS.


counteractins the efforts OF the Greenhackera
HIS CAREER IN CONGRESS.
Mr. Dingley was nrst elected TO Congress at
special election held on September II. 1881, 10 NIL
the vacancy caused by the promotion OF William
p. Frye TO the United States Senate. and took his
seat a. the beginning OF the first session o, the
xLvIIth Congress. IN the following December
member Of that body since that time. MS
career was a most distinguished and usefui one
Before his frst election he had already achieved
high reputation in his native state and throughout
Eew-Eneiand as a thorough and painstakns STU
dent and a terse and forcibe writer on financial
and economic subjects and had become recos-
nixed authority the navigation laws or the
United States as we'll as an intelligent and Jealous
friend and advocate Of American sh'pbulding IN
terests His abilities and breadth and accuracy OF
information were quickly appreciated by the lead
.r, In the National House OF Representatives and
mis- assignment a. a member OF the important Com
mittee on Banking and Currency at the very oesn-
ming II his first term OF service was deserved
compliment. The place was suitaoie ana con.
senial one II gave him better opportunities and
.e,,t,ies for the investigation Of the fiscal affairs
Of the Government than he had ever before en-
1oy<d and OF these he took full advantage lie
was an indefatisable worker and thorough eh-
nlorer and his researches extended far beyond tne
Aeld embraced by the jurisdiction OF the committee
OF which he was member
In the first session OF the XLVIIth Congress one
Of the most lmT ortant financial measures consu-
cred and passed was tn one TO extend the char-
ter. Of National banks. mahy OF which were soon
20 expire Mr.. Dingley took an active part IN the
framing of that measure and in carrying II through
the House. In the sane session his advocacy oI
the bill TO provd. for the distribution OF the
Geneva Award ard the Tariff Commission Dill ooth
of which became lave. was powerful ana eHecuVe
and added much to his reputation. which In the
second session was increased by the intelligent and
substantial aid he rendered in the consideration or
the Tariff bill which became the act OF March o.
1883.
Mr. p,nrl.y wa. continued as riember Of the
Ranking and Currency Committee in the next three
Congresses and his thorough knowledge or the
subjects brought before it, as well as his skill as
parlianentarian. CT inestimable value to the
country and service TO his party. Anhoueh
,,.r,her ~ the minority OF the committee in these
elk years his influence was felt in the framing or
financial measures and In preventing Inc enact
1nent Of m!schevous legislation. II was largely due
20 his efforts that the bill 10 allow National banks
10 increase their capital stock was carried through
a Democratic Hous H. me XL1Xth Congress. In
that Congress he wcs appointed at the head OF the
minority OF the newly created Select Committee
on American Shipbuildng and Shipowning Inter
ests where he rendered useful and valuable service
The majority Of the committee was composed OF
free ship" advocates but none OF the legislation
proposed by II Oh by it's successor the Committee
on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. In the Lth Con-
sress passed the House OF Representatives.
In the XLVIIfth Congress as well as in the X1-1Xth
and Irh Mr. Dingley had been a sanch and power
ful advocate Of prc,ssions In the Postofce Appro-
priation bill providing for the transportation OF the
ocean mails In American steamships. bu; II was not
until the List Congress when he was member or
che natoritv Of the Committee on Merchant Ma
r.ne and Fisheries. that he the partial fruon
Of his desire in the enactment OF a law for that
object His share In the preparation Of that meas
IRE in the committee and in the parliamentary
mana cement Of II in the House. was very I'M
portant and influential ono. and probably averted
It's defeat which at one time seemed Imminent
SERVICE TO THE CAUSE OF PROTECTION.
From the very outset of his career in Congress
Mr. Dingley had been earnest Intelligent and
able an advocate and defender Of the system OF
Protection as he had been OF sound and s'aoe
currency He had been among the stoutest ana
most effective opponents of the Mills Tariff bill
In the Lth Congress. and his appointment as a
member OF the Committee on Ways and Means IN
the List Congress. which framed the Tarn act OF
1890 wos hailed by every friend Of Protection as
one eminen,iy fit to be made. In the framing
Of that measure in the commtfechis services were
BILE and were so recognized -and appreciated
- by his colleagues. and his advocacy OF 1t In the
House was both powerful and effective. distin-
guished as Il by fulness OF knowledge and
ripeness OF Judgment
At the beginning of the LID Congress MI Ding
ley was transferred to the Committee on Appro-
prntons a member Of the minority, place
which he occupied for four years, and in which
he gained still deeper insight respecting the hsca
machinery and operations Of the Government No
detail OF receipts and expenditures escaped his OBJ
pervation. and at the end Of his first term as
member OF the committee he was fully equipped
10 do his part as a member Of the Joint Commits
zion appointed TO inquire into the status OF the
laws organizing the executive departments and rec
ommend legislation TO simplify and al the same
time safeguard the administration of those depart
ments. The confidence reposed In his Judgment and
ability by members Of the House Of Representa-
tives irrespective Of party. was shown by the Writ
ual unanimity with which the recommendations
Of the Commission of which were Of a radical
nature. adopted by that body.
The LID Congress a critical one for the
cause OF sound finance and honest money, so far as
the power of the legislative branch OF tho Gov
eminent concerned; and Mr.. Dingley's appoint
ment a member OF the Coinage Committee was
an exceedingly fortunate one, although he was a
member Of a minority which at first seemed abso-
lutely powerless To his ability prudence and
saoity as a member OF that committee and to his
influence in the House the country owes a heavy
debt.
CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS.
On the organization of the LINth Congress
Mr. Dingley became chairman OF the Committe
on WAYS and Means. place for which no member
OF the House of Representatives was ever better
ftted or more thoroughly equipped. or course the
prospect OF placing the statute books IN the
lifetime OF that Congress any legislation affecting
tariff rates except in the way Of reduction was a
hopeless one but 1t seemed not impossible TO Go
something to improve the administration OF thf
customs service and guard against losses Of rev.
enue by of fraudulent undervalu1tions OF
D.. imported merchandise. After an exhaustive In
curry and investigation bill was framed ana
rassed by the House Of Representatives. but it Goi
no further. Another measure framed and recon
nended by the committee 10 rcGullte the manu-
fsc,ure Of and impose tax on 'hlled cheese
PASSED both branches OF Congress and became a
law.
OF Mr.. Dingley s arduous and successful abors as
Mankind needs her.
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