Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-09


ling. Bayard. Vance, Thurman, voorhees,
Garland. Harris, Allison. Beck, Mcdonald
ingalls,. Teller, Lamar, Morgan, Ben Hi
and Carpenter In the House Of Represen-
tatives were Samuel ]. Randall. Speaker
Carlisle. Morrison, Mills, Cox, Blackburn
Culberson, Ewing. Hurd. Mcmahon, Knott
Alexander H. Stephens, ]. Randolph Tuck
er. Fernando Wood, Garfield, Mckinley
Hawley, Hiscock, Kelley and Robinson.
Senator Vests Early Life.
A schoolmate of Senator Vest, speaking
of his early life, said:
Vest was born at Frankfort, KY. He
was the son of carpenter Of standing al
that place. All members Of his family were
people Of more than ordinary ability. He
had sister who was a poetesS of great
reputation in Kentucky. and was a special
friend of George D. Prentice, who greatly
admired her poetry.
Vest attended school at Sayres institute
at Frankfort, KY. than which a better in
stltute never existed in preparing students
Tor higher studies. Some of the foremost
men In our country attended that school
Among those who attained national promi-
nence l might mention Chief Justice James
M. Harlan and Vice President Adlai Ste
venson Many others attained great promi-
nence at bar and pulpit. After completing
his studies at the academy he went to
HDanville, KY, to attend Center College. He
lan's father. and after having attained
much proficiency under that noted legal
night he entered the Pennsylvania Univer-
slty at Lexington. which was then the most
rep1esentative law college in the west and
south. 1t was presided over by George
robertson, compeer of Henry Clay and
foremost lawyer of Kentucky at that day.
After his graduation he entered the field
", " 1our m; at the same time practicing
law at Owensboro, Ky. He remained there
several years, with more or less success. as
writer and lawyer. About the conclusion
OF MS journalistic life he married Miss
same snead OF Danville. Ky. Then he re-
law office there "
An interesting story is told of how sena.
TOT vest happened to locate in Georpetown
~. ne had started for California. When near
the little Missouri town the stage over-
turned, and the young adventurer suffered
d broken arm. He was compelled to inter
rupt his journey to the golden west While
ne was recovering from his injury the com
munity was stirred by an atrocions MIR
der of a woman and her children col
oreo slave was accused of the crime All
the lawyers Of the village happened to have
gone TO the state capital at the time, and
SO young vest was employed by the slave
owner to conduct the defense before the
examining court. The young man proved
hlmseif SO clever and his plea was so sue
cess1ul the court was reduced to the neces-
SHY or discharging the prisoner. The pub
In the face of it the negro slave confessed
his crime. Lynch law ended his existence.
Young Vest was warned to leave the coun-
ty. Instead of doing so, however, he OPEN
ed law once, and thereupon began a ca
reer that has been so closely Identified with
the later history of Missouri.
Success as a Lawyer.
In 1856 Mr.. Vest removed to Booniville,
which was larger town, and where the
advantages were greater. His success as
lawyer was instantaneous When the
struggle between the states came Vest cast
his fortunes with the south and was
chosen member of the confederate house.
In 1864 he was elevated to the confederate
senate, and his death marks the passing of
one OF the last of the survivors of that his
toric body.
Missouri, but under the Drake constitution
which had been forced upon the state he
found himself denied citizenship and the
right to labor 1t was not long however,
before the United States Supreme Court
demolished the Drake law. It was then
that Mr.. Vest reopened his office and be-
gan again to practice his profession. He
was fairly overwhelmed with clients.
AS naturally as the duck takes to water
Vest took to politics A splendid orator
and debater, he soon won his way to the
front. and it was a surprise to no one when
the Missouri state legislature decided to
upper house of the national legislature is a
matter of public history. His oratoricaI
abilities developed even greater charm,
while his debate increased in virility and
logic. When Senator Vest took the floor
the galleries soon filled up, and no one left
while he was yet upon his feet. He was
active in the affairs of the Senate up to the
very end of his term of service.
Unique Position in the Senate.
Senator Vests position in the United
States Senate was unique in many respects.
For many years his frail form caused his
friends to wonder from day to day whether
he would live to return to the Senate
chamber. Not only did he persist in his
regular attendance on the sessions of the
Senate, but he took an active interest in
the proceedings until the last He was
driven to the Capitol in his private carriage
for many years and was met at the en-
trance by one of the attendants, who slowly
conducted him to his desk in the chamber.
Those who saw him instinctively wondered
how long the man could battle with death,
and yet he survived many of the senators
who had marveled al his physical weakness
and tenacious vitality.
1t was the possession of vigorous brain
by so frail man that surprised every one
who knew Senator Vest. On numerous oc-
ca sions the Missouri senator spoke to ques-
tons pending in the Senate with mastery
command of language and readiness in
recalling the smallest details that aston
ished every one. Emaciated, his body often
swaying from weakness as he balanced him.
self with cane or chair, he would become
completely absorbed in his topic, while the
powers of oratory charmed senators and
visitors in the gallery alike. He never
spoke to an Indifferent audience, and when
ever it was known beforehand that he
would address the Senate every available
seat in the galleries would be found filled
when the Senate was called to order.
A Notable Address.
One of the notable addresses of the lat
ter years of Senator Vests life was in con-
nection with the loan Congress made to
the Louisiana purchase exposition. In
some respects that loan was without prece-
dent 1t did not altogether meet the APP
prevail of senators owing to the precedent
it was feared it would establish. But the
personal influence of Senators Cockrell and
Vest carried 1t through.
Having practically authorized the loan
when the time came to appropriate the
money Buffalo and Charleston had grow
ing ambitions in the exposition way, and
demands were made that something be
done for those enterprises. 1t was a critl-
cal time for the st. Louis exposition. 1t
was feared that in refusing to Buffalo and
Charleston any aid a situation might be
met whereby the ST. Louis exposition would
fail to get it's appropriation At that criti-
cal time Senator Vest arose to address the
Senate. The man and his pleading for the