The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-01-14
NELSON DINGLEYs CAREER.

NELSON DlNOLEl'S CAREER.
Nelson Dingiey. Jr. governor Of Maine
In lS1t-6 and momber OF congress from
the Second congressional district OF
Maine since 1881. was born in Durham,
Ne. IN his grandfather Lamberts farm
house on the banks Of the Androscoggln
river. February Is. iS22. son OF Nelson
and Jane QamberO Dingley. The year
following his birth his parents moved
70 Parkman, where they lived on a farm
for a short time, and then took charge
of the village tavern. NTH which store
was connected. In 1884 the family re.
moved to Unity. Waldo county. and
thence. in 1854, TO Auburn, Androscoggln
county. Al Il no taught a winter school
In the town OF China. u miles from
home. and he continued to teach winters
while htting for college. In 1850, at the
ago OF Is. he entered waterville (Me.)
academy. Of which the well known Prof.
J. II. Hanson was principal. and there
completed his preparation for college.
Entering Watervllle college. now Colby
university. In 1851. he remained there
year and a half and then became a stu
dent at Dartmouth college from which
institute he was graduated. in 1855. with
high rank as a scholar. debater and
writer. After leaving college. Mr.. Ding
ley studied law In 1856 with Merrill &
Fessenden. in Auburn. to which city his
parents had removed while he was In
college. and In the latter year no was
admitted TO the bar. Instead OF enter
ing upon the practice OF law, he de-
clded 10 become a journalist, for which
profession he always manifested a de-
clded taste. In September, 1856. he pur-
chased the Lewiston Journal, OF which
he had been practically the editor while
studying law, and 10 which. In 1881. he
added a daily edition. The paper rapidly
Increased In circulation under his man
agement.
His FIRST vote was cas-; IN 1854 for Hon.
Anson i. Morrill,. the anu-slayery and
temperance candidate for governor a
political combination from which rose
the republican party Of Maine during the
following winter, He threw himself into
the Fremont campaign in 1856 with all
the ardor OF youth and ability Of his age
In 1861. at the age OF ~. he was elected
representative from Auburn to the state
legislature in which body he at once took
high rank, was reelected In 1852, and
chosen speaker OF the house at the ses-
sion Of 1868. In 1865 he removed to Lew
lston, where a few months after he was
elected to the legislature and with the
opening Of the legislative session Of 1864
he was unanimously reelected speaker,
AT the state election Of 1864 he was
elected to the house a fourth time and
with tho session OF 1866 was again ten
dered the position of speaker, which he
declined, preferring to take his place
on the floor. He was also representative
in the Legislature from Lewiston in
1S7a and 1878.
In 1873 Mr.. Dlngley was nominated as
tho republican candidate for governor
OF Maine by vote of two to one against
two popular opponents, and was elected
by about 10000 majority In 1874 he was
reelected by over 1900 majority, de-
cllnlng a third nomination In 1876. He
was one OF the delegates at large from
Maine to the republican national con-
vention OF 1876. and served ON the COM
mittee on resolutions and was one Of the
subcommittee OF five which drafted the
platform.
He actively participated in the presl-
Dental campaign of 1876 and in the state
conventions OF 1ST-1S-70. In 1S79--SO he
was chairman OF the republican execu-
tive committee. In 1881 Mr.. Dlngley was
nominated by tho republicans OF the
Second congressional district of Maine
to I'LL the vacancy In congress caused
by the resignation Of Hon. William P,
Frye. He was elected by majority OF
over 5000, nearly twice as large as was
ever before given to any candidate In
that district. He served on the COM
mittee on banking and currency and as
member OF the select committee on
alcoholic liquor traffic, and during the
session he presided several times over
the house in committee of the whole.
Mr.. Dlngley's first speech in congress
was made April Is. 1882. on Protection
to American Shipping" the house being
In committee of the whole on the bill tC
create a tariff commission.
Under joint resolution introduced In
the house by Mr.. Dingley and passed
August 7, 1898. he was appointed mem
Der OF Joint committee to investigate
the condition and wants Of American
shipbuilding and shlpowning interests