The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-14
of the state and without distinction of
party, and her people believed in his
fidelity, patriotism and wisdom"

IL, he entered Watervilie (Maine) acad-
envy, OF which the well known profess
sor, j. ii. Hanson, was principal, and
there completed his preparation for
college. Entering Waterville College
(now Colby University In 1851, he rec
mained there year and a half, and
then became student at Dartmouth
College from which institution he grad
uated in 1855, with high rank as schol-
ar, debater and writer. After leaving
college, Mr.. Dingley studied law in
1866 with Merrill & Fessenden at Au-
burn, to which city his parents had re-
moved while he was in college, and in
the latter year he was admitted to the
bar Instead of entering upon the prac-
tice of law, he decided to become a
journalist, for which profession he al
ways manifested a decided taste.
In September, 1856, he purchased the
Lewiston Journal, of which he had been
practically the editor while studying
law, and to which he, in 1861 added a
daily edition.
The paper rapidly increased in circu-
lation and influence under his manage
ment. His first vote was cast in 1856
for Arson p. Morrill,, the anti-slavery
and temperance candidate for COVER
nor, political combination from which
arose the republican party Of Maine
the following winter. He threw himself
into the Fremont campaign in 1856
with all the ardor of youth and ability
of age. In 1861, at the age Of 30, he
was elected representative from Au-
burn to the state legislature In which
body he at once took high rank, was re-
elected in 1862, and chosen speaker Of
the House at the session of 1853 In
1863 he removed to Lewiston, where a
few months after he was elected to the
legislature, and with the opening of
the legislative session of 1S64was unan-
imously reelected speaker. AT the
state election of 1864 he was elected to
the House a fourth time and with the
session of 1865 was again rendered the
position of speaker, which he declined,
preferring to take his place on the floor.
He was also a representative to the leg
islature from Lewiston in 1868 and 1873.
In 1873, Mr.. Dingley was nominated
as the republican candidate for COVER
nor of the state Of Maine by vote of
two to one, against two popular oppon-
ents, and was elected by about 10000
majority In 1874 he was reelected by
over 1000 majority, and declined a
third nomination in 1875. He was one
| of the delegates at-large to the national
convention in 1876 and served on the
committee on resolutions, and one of
the subcommittee of five which draft
| ed the platform.
] 1t Is OllIlCulC 10 udIIlt any lulpOTLdHl
| legislation in congress of the last Is
years with which he was not identified
While he had been active in financial
| matters, he was thoroughly informed
on shipping. 1t was through his infiu-
| ence that q select committee on ship
| owners and ship interest Wascalled in
| the House.
In the 4Sth, 49th and 5Oth congresses
| there was a great deal Of agitation in
| foun- nf aIihai6f1ir1p Apaprfnpn ching
| to carry the mails. Mr.. Dingley was a
champion of this, and framed the bill,
which finally became law paying to
American ships Of certain register and
speed a compensation for transporting
| American mails. In the 51st congress
he was given membership by Spe q er
Reed, whose right arm he has been in
| recent years, on the ways and means
committed. When in the SD congress
| the democrats succeeded to power
Speaker Crisp transferred Mr.. Dingley
| to the minority of the committee on
appropriations. He made himself a
valuable man there, serving for four
years and displaying a knowledge of
| appropriations hardly surpassed by any
of the older members.
| President Mckinley always had a
strong friendship for Mr.. Dingley since
they served together in the House.
Mr.. Dingley's father was a trader
not particularly we'll to do, and the boy
bent himself to work at an early age.
| His steadiness of purpose came from
his old Puritan stock but his intel
leetual ability came from his mother, a
woman Of education far beyond her
station or the average OF cultivation
In those days. She was a school teach
er, and brought all the discipline and
knowledge Of her mind to bear upon
the training Of her son, and he found
her influence one Of the greatest fac
tors in his success. At Dartmouth he
graduated at the head of a class which
had in 1t men who have since become
prominent, like Chief Justice Field of
Massachusetts,. Mr.. Dingley made a
great success of his newspaper, the
Lewiston journal. my paper" he
would say with pride, has larger
circulation than any other paper in
Maine. I would rather write for Il
than do any other kind of work"
For the ordinary manipulattons OF
politics, Mr.. Dingley had no use what
ever. He paid no attention to prima-
ries or delegates. Every two years his
people renominated him by acclamation
in sound republican district. where
nomination Is equivalent to election. He
devoted his time to acquiring expert
ence and knowledge which made him
more and more valuable He was not
an orator. He lacked the physical
presence and the voice. Nevertheless.
all the members listened when ne arose
to speak. He had a wonderfully lucid
way of asserting facts, going at once
to the heart of every contested
point. He also had remarkable fac
ulty of presenting an argument His
mind was logical to the highest de-
gree.
Mr.. Dingley loved society, but he did
not allow it to become his master. He
was generally in bed every night at 10
O'Clock and at work by Z O'clock in the
morning He never let his work get
behindhand. Everything he did was
done in order.
He was one of the delegates at large
from Maine to the national convention
in 1876.
In 1881, Mr.. Dingley was elected to
congress from the second district Of
Maine by majority Of over 5000
In 1852 he was appointed a member
or a joint committee to investigate the
condition and wants Of American ship
building and ship owning interests. The
report Of the committee, drawn up by
Mr. Dingley, and unanimously agreed
TO by the committee, was regarded as
an able and valuable document. In
1882, he was reelected as a congress-
man-at-large to the 4Sth congress, and
again in 1884, and served continuously
until the present time.
Mr.. Dingley was a Congregatonalist
in religion He Wua prafsffad Tuna 1