Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1902-12-25

century. At the age OF twenty-seven,
the future speaker entered upon the
duties of clergyman, taking charge
| of portion of his fathers work. His
strong belief is the justice Of the
cause of the colonists and his wonder
full aptitude for public affairs caused
him to be a prominent actor in the
stirring events Of the time. A feeling
existing that the Germans should have
representation in congress from Penn
sylvania because of their comparative
ly large number in that state, and
Muhlenbergs special fitness for the
place being universally conceded, he
was, at the age of %, elected member
OF the Continental congress. After
serving with conspicuous ability in
that body he was chosen as repre-
| sentative from his native state to the
first congress under the constitution
and on the second of March, 1889,
made it's speaker. When the second
session of congress opened in 1871,
| New England, which had borne so pro-
minent part in the struggle for lib
erty, demanded recognition and Jona-
than Trumbull, of Connecticut,a grad
uate of Harvard, an aide-de- camp to
| Washington and man of learning and
lettering, was chosen as Mr.. Mullen
berg's successor. !Trumbull served but
single term and upon retirement
handed his gavel over to the Pen
nsylvania statesman, who once more
took up the duties Of speaker, saying
as he did so that while he would gladly
have occupied less conspicuous place
he could not refuse the call of his
colleagues.
In the 107 years which have elapsed
since the expiration of Mr.. Mullen
berg's second term thirty-two differ
ent men have acted as the presiding
officer of the House. With the going
out of Muhlenberg the third congress
closed it's labors. With the retirement
of Speaker Henderson the fifty seventh
will be at an end During this century
and more the list of speakers contains
the names Of those whose work is
part Of the history and growth of time.
Henry Clay, of Kentucky, the brilliant
orator, the deep and sagacious states
man anG the polished and cultured
gentleman was elected first in 1911
and served eleven years, with intermis-
sions, retiring finally in 1925. To him
was given the honor of having been
chosen speaker upon the commence
ment Of his services in the House, an
honor which no other member has
ever enjoyed. After serving ten years
in congress, James K. Polk, of Tennes-
see, Representative, Governor and
President, was elected speaker in 1885
and filled the place for four years,
stepping from there to the chief execu-
tiveship of his state. The thirty
seventh congress, which made into law
the first measures touching the Civil
war, was composed of prominent and
distinguished men. Among them
those in the House were Thaddeus
Stevens, Roscoe Conkling, Samuel S.
Cox, Geo. FL. Pendleton and John A.
Logan. The speaker was Galusha A.
Grow of Pennsylvania. Of these Mr..
Grow is the only one now living and
he is yet member of congress from
the same state. He continued as
speaker until 1868.
The history of the country from the
close of the civil war to the present is
replete with men of strong character
and brilliant intellect. Several of
these have been speakers Of the House
and played their parts upon the stage
of politics and played them we'll. JAS.
G.. Blaine of Maine went into the office
in 1869, during the period of recon
struction, and came out in 1875. Samu-
ell j. Randall of Pennsylvania followed
a year later, serving until 1881. When
the democrats gained control in 1883,
John G.. Carlisle of Kentucky was
chosen and continued for six years.
Then came Thos. B. Reed, 1889 to 1899,
Chas. F. Crisp of Georgia coming in
between from 1891 to 1895. After Mr..
Reed was David B. Henderson of Iowa,
the present speaker who will, unless
all signs fail, be succeeded by Jos. G.
Cannon of Illinois.
Take the list as a whole. Study the
men and their actions. 1t is good
reading. Moreover, it will show that
in the House of Representative as in
all things Americas great crises have
been met by those who could handle
the situation. That's why we are a
strong and united country. The les
son is one by which we may all we'll
profit.
How to Get Rid of Gold.
''Shall I ever be rid of this cold?"