St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-01-04

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was nevertheless chosen again to repre-
sent that state in the upper house of
Congress. 1t was apparent at Mont |
heller that the state could not be repre-
sented bv any other with so great honor,
and Vermont like Massachusetts, has al
WAYS been proud of its standing in the
Senate. 1t was we'll thus to continue the
service of faithful and wise servant OF
the people, even when his election i'll
yolyed the probability that he would not
live out his term. To preserve in the peo-
ple's service so long as may be such a
man as Justin Morrill, is matter Tor gen.
eral gratitude to the state OF Vermont.
For long time he has been called the
-"Nestor," the dean" or the father" OF
the Senate, and his venerable figure will
be greatly missed in the capital With
the single exception Of Galusha Grow,
representative from Pennsylvania, he
was the only man in Congress whose
congressional career began prior to the
beginning of the civil war, and he had the
honor over Mr.. Grow in that his con.
pressonal service had been continuous.
Justin Morrill, was born April Ia, 1910,
in the rural town of Strafford, where his
Vermont home has always been.
farming community among the hills,
aronud little village in the valley, which
the railroad even to this day has not pen
etrated, was the scene of his origin. The
old-fashioned academy of the village gave
him his education. at least all he ever de-
rived from schools. He became the vii
n,,tc al,cnc nQtlC
and plug tobacco to the countryside,
and doubtless finding among his custo-
mers, as young Lincoln did behind the
counter on the Sangamon, the dramatis
personae for many an argumentatived dis
-cussion OF national moraltes. economies
and politics. He was naturally OF a
scholarly turn, and at 40 years OF age
was the master OF a clear, terse and forci-
BILE English style, an easy and effective
debating habit, and an excellent under
standing of national questions. He re-
tired from mercantile lie to the farm and
to political life. If there were any steps
of graduation through the legislature or
otherwise, by which he rose, he has not
thought it worth while to mention them,
but as a member of the new republican
marty he so impressed the farmers OF this
district with his fitness to represent them
at Washington that he was elected to
the 34th Congress, whose first term
began in December, 1855. He was re-
elected successfully. and was serving IN
the seth Congress when Tin 1860 he
was elected to the Senate to serve out
the unexpired term OF Senator Foot. ne
was reelected in 1872, in 1878, in 1854
in 1890 and in 1896, and his present
term would expire March 3, 1908. H'
had, therefore, served continuously II
Congress nearly A. years.
Asa legislator, Mr.. Morrill, achieved
extraordinary success and connected M
name with many important measures
He early devoted himself to economic
and fiscal questions. and when the re
publicans had at length acquired ma
iority in Congress, he Immediately tool
high rank in revenue and financial legls
lation. The war coming on and dc
manding great revenues, Mr.. Morrl
boldly projected "the Morrill, tariff" a
once giving great impetus to our III
dustries aud repenishing the treasury
He was actively concerned in the treat
between wool growers and wool mani
facturers on which his tariff bill wa
based. but had the courage to sanctio
the modification OF wool duties in til
tariff Of 1888, although it was likely t
offend his constituents. At heart he ma
felt with other senators of long servo
that the extreme duties embodied IN tf
Mckinley tariff were mistake, but ll
Others he did not give iul expression t
his conservative thought. AS chairma
of the House committee on ways an
means, and of the Senate committee Q
finance, and of the conference commits
on the tariff in 1888. he had decisi'
part in shaping tariff legislation. On g
other financial questions he had been
pillar of strength to the cause OF Wi
and conservative financiering. Both
Congress and on the stump at the Yves
in years past, he did .yeoman service {
the right side in the controversies ov
reputation, imitation, the silver doll
and other questions. One OF his impc
tant studies, dozen years ago, was
original research into the history
American coinage, which he delivered
the Senate.
Mr. Morrill, had warmly at heart t
cause of education, letters and art.
was the author of the agricultural c.
lege bill, distributing lands to all
states for the purpose of founding ae
cultural colleges-institutions which
future may yet more justly appreca
as land becomes scarcer, and husband
more scientific. The setting apart OF
old hall of Representatives as natioi
hall Of statuary was Mr.. Morrilrs desit
ard to the national library he devo'
years of advocacy; and he had the sal
faction Of seeing the site purchased,
appropriation made, the noble build
arise and its occupation begin. Thev'
war stnte md nauu hnildinn was