New-York tribune., 1899-06-16

had made his own Mr. Bland played q rather minor
part in the ordinary work OF Congressional legis-
lation. But he an Industrious. careful and
useful member apart from his special hobby. and
his place in the councils OF the minority at the
coming session will be hard to fill
Mr.. Blands first act taking his seat in the
House OF Representatives was TO ally himself with
the forces which were trying TO Increase the
amount Of irredeemable greenback currency out
standing. lie supported the imitation bill which
President Grant vetoed. and. with the failure or
the greenback movement soon after, turned his at
tention accomplishing the same end by increas-
ing the volume OF silver money He was the au-
thor OF the Free Silver Coinage act afterward
amended by the Senate into a limited purchase act,
which became law President Hayes's veto In
1878. And almost every session since 1878 has seen
him engage In efforts to induce the House to repass
the out-and-out free-coinage measure which 1t was
long inclined to insist during the struggle over
the first sver-purchase act. During Speaker
Crisp's two terms Mr.. Bland was chairman or the
House Committee Coinage Weights and Meas
ures. and found in the Speaker active promoter
OF his financial policies. In the last House he held
places the Committees Coinage, Weights and
Measures and on Expenditures on Public Buildings.
NOTABLE POLITICAL SCHOOL.
The XLIIId Congress. as a member OF which Mr..
Bland first entered public life. was notable as the
promary school OF many politicians who have since
risen to prominence. 1t was the last Congress over
which James G. Blaine presided Speaker. First
among them. perhaps, should be mentioned James
March a. 1897. became Secretary Of Agriculture IN
President McKinley's Cabinet Stewart l.; Wood
o 3eT 'aG and IS we
as having been the United States Minister to
also sent John A. Kasson, who Is now again in
public life, holding a position as Special Commis,
treaties under the Dingley Tariff act. Massachu-
ssetts sent r. lockwood Hoar whose services en- N
Cannon, who, with the exception of the Lid Con
gress mas served continuously IN the House 70 tne
non at the Very beginning Of his 0 career became
authority on the postal service and at length be-
Colonel Morrison for number Of years after leav
Ing Congress was chairman Of the Interstate Com;
Richard G Parsons. Of Cleveland tariff expert
and Hugh ]. Jewett who soon tired Of public life
dent Of the Erie Erie Raj Railroad From From the South
came two ex-Confederates Alexander II. stephens
ment. and L. Q. c. Lamar Mr.. Stephens had with
M In @
and but a "Reminiscences ' Of his former self but
the to whch he renewed his as
az o9Ge & and closed his as an
Julius RuTfoWs foSs SaReff aRd from 0O came
Thomas c. Platt Both now serving first terms
Virginia. who entered the XLIIId Congress
Delegate from the Territory OF New-Mexico. The
also be coupled with those OF Senators Platt, FL
kns and Burrows ne entered rather late In the
XLIIId Congress, succeeding to the seat of Samuel
F: Hersey. made vacant by death.
Last. but not least. should be mentioned the
names Of Eppa Hnnton. OF Virginia. recently
Senator from that State and William Walter
Phelps OF New-Jersey. In addition to these states
men, who were then beginning their public careers
other notable members OF the House in the XL,IIId
Congress were George F. Hoar, General Joseph r.
Hawley and William p Frye, now In the Senate
General Butler Randall and Kelley. of Pennsyl-
yania; Blount;, Of Georgia; Holman and jeremiah
Wilson, OF Indiana; Garfield. Foster and Neal of
Ohio; Jeremiah Rusk OF Wisconsin, who was after
ward Secretary OF Agriculture, and Roger Q. Mills
OF Texas.