Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-16
His Political Career.

While a prominent figure in state politics
for a number of years prior to that time,
Mr.. ingalls, came into national repute and
renown first when elected to the United
States Senate for the term beginning March
4, 1873. His power as debater, his pointed
wit, pungent satire and brilliant oratory
soon won for him an enviable reputation
among mis- colleagues of the upper body OF
Congress and throughout the country.
Those who clashed with him in important
discussion felt heavily the weight of his
unquestioned ability as speaker, and sur
fered setbacks in their statements as a
result Of his exceptional general informa-
tion and logical thought.
From the time of his election to the Sem
ate Mr.. ingalls, continued an interesting and
respected political figure His retirement to
private life did not remove him from the
public, his opinion having been sought
eagerly by political leaders and his every
utterance or piece of writing being read
Mr.. Ingalls, was trained in the law and
was well fitted for the role of statesman
he was called upon to play.
John James ingalls, was born at Middle
1893, being therefore at the time of his
death in his sixty-seventh year. After re-
ceiving common school education he went
to Williams College, in Massachusetts,
class of 1865. He was admitted to the bar
in 1851 and year later moved to Kansas.
taking up a residence in Atchison. The
degree of LID. was conferred upon him in
1854 during his term in the Senate In
Kansas he continued the practice of law
and entered politics. He was chosen a
delegate to the Wyandotte constitutional
convention of 1853 He was secretary of
the territorial council in 1850 and secre-
tary of the state senate in 1861. He was a
member of the state senate from Atchison
during the year 1862 also. In the same year
Mr.. ingalls, was an unsuccessful candidate
for lieutenant governor of Kansas. After
his defeat he accepted the editorship of the
Atchison Champion. He was again defeated
for the lieutenant governorship in 1864.
During the civil war Mr.. Ingalls, was a
major, lieutenant colonel and judge advo-
cate of the Kansas Volunteers.
His first election to the United States
Senate was in 1873, when he was chosen as
republican to succeed S. c. Pomeroy, a
member of the same party. Mr.. ingalls,
was reelected in 1879 and 1889 his term of
service expiring in 1891.
During the latter part of his senatorial
term Mr.. ingalls, was chairman of the COM
mttee on the District of Columbia. He
took deep and active interest in all Dis
trict affairs and institutions. and his re-
tirement was a real loss to the capital CITY
and its surroundings.
His Home Life.
No family circle was more popular than
that of the ingalls, during their many
years residence in this city. Senator In
gals was a most delightful host, and the
receptions held by Mrs ingalls, and her
daughters were always notable for the
pleasant sociability which characterized
each event. The senator was essentially
home man, and his quiet, domestic tastes
were shared by each member of his family.
He loved Washington, and until last
year made his winter home here at the
Cairo, where the old friends of his own
and of his family always found pleasure
in greeting them.
A Brilliant Speaker.
There is little doubt that John J. ingalls,
was esteemed while in the Senate as the
most brilliant speaker and most ready de-
batter in that body. His caustic satire was
the fear of all who took issue with him on
the floor of the Senate. and when he di-
rected his attention to an antagonist he
''cut to the quick" His ready wit gave
him a reply in debate. on the instant it was
needed and the darts of that wit were
nearly always provided with stinging sar-
casm that was long remembered by those
who were his victims Mr.. ingalls, loved
the debate and he loved to exercise his
rare powers as an orator. He was at his
we're critic. Only those who knew Senator
ingalls, intimately knew to what a great
extent he controlled his penchant for sar-
castle comment in the Senate, for there
are many men who can testify to what
amounted to brilliant speeches he has made
in the presence of one or two friends, and