New-York tribune., 1904-08-10
Mr.. VESTS CAREER.

George Graham Vest vas horn at Frankfort
Ky. December s 1890 lie OF Scotch Irish
descent. Having been graduated Center col
lege, Danviue Ky IN 1873 ne read law with
James Harlan. httorney General OF Kentucky and
father OF the Supreme Court Justice and was
graduated from the law scaool OF Pennsylvania
University. Lexington. Ky. I'm 1872
In 1860 he chosen Democratic oIoctor and a
member OF the State House OF Representa- lives:
With the outbreak Of the Civil War he became
prominent leader OF the secessionists Of his
State In the summer of 1851 he served IN the
army OF General Price. being made judge advocate
general OF a general court martial. convened al
Lexington just after the capture OF that place by
the Confederates- He was elected by the Mis-
scuH Legislature at the special session held in
fall % 1s6l, member for years of the Pro
vtsionaI Congress Of the Confederate States and
afteIwaTd appointed by Governor Reynolds
OF Missol-r! a Confederate States Senator in
which capacity he served one year He was con
spicuous IN both houses.
After the he returned TO Missouri and re-
surued his law practice at Sedsla- lie was elected
United States Senator in 1879. and reelected in
1855. 1890 and 1891. At his first election Senator
Vest advocated the issue or 5000 0o) in green
backs and the abolition OF national banks and he
also favored the proposed internal improvements
in the South. After that he always champioued
fat money. whether in the form Of greenbacks
free silver.
Senator Vest was NIissourrs fayorite orator. His
the old style Of the stump He was earnest
and wordy. In appearance he was short and un-
prepossessinE.
lie retired from the Senate last year be
cause of falling health Even before then be had
had serious spells of illness and in August, 1888
when he Asbury Park. he sick that
his death hourly expected.
II was pure accident. Senator Vest used 20
say, that his name was the Missouri list or
statesmen. In the early 50s Mr Vest married
Miss Sallie Sneed, Of Kentucky Tho two set out
for California. with never a thought OF becoming
Of fhe her
ing vehicle not good trim. A bre1kd pWn
occurred at ugly settlement called Georgetown
and there II that young Mr.. and Mrs. Vest
found themselves s.t The mercy Of a broken wheel
While the stage passengers waiting an old
negro approached the young lawyer and asked his
assistance. The black man explained that ne had
q who accused OF murder. Feeling against
the boy was st-ong and the father pleaded with
the travelling attorney 10 stop and lend his as
sistauce. Mr. Vest decided 10 allow The stage to
80 on while Re undertook the task OF helping the
negro and hls boy. When the trlaI the
boy was acquitted. A mob speedily formed
the Young man was taken from the jail and
Because of this case Mr. Vest was not particularly
popular; and for this reason, much for any
other. he concluded 20 become a Missouran and
Following and in a rsmarka bly, short time he was
rated Of the important lawyers of the region
Senator Vest was also an ardent foe Of imperial
ISM and made il the subject Of many fiery speech
in the Senate; but he realized tnat he was lighting
a hopeless fight long before many Of his fellow
hcauon OF the treaty of peace several members OF
the Senate met together in one OF the committee
that the fight against expansion had only begun
elected from Senator Vest following indignant
protest:
'arhat sort OF talk Is nonsense" he said. I'VE
have lost our fight, and might as Wei make the
best Of il. Did you ever know OF an instance
where the Anglo-SaXoa race ever gave up an inch
OF territory that IL had got its hands onH
No and you will neveri Gentlemen, we are ~
panded in spite of ourselves. and shall remain eX-
banded in spite Of iades."
4 story is told Of Senator Vest that in the Civil
War he left his home attend the Confederate
Congress at Richmond, which shortly afterward
occupied by tae federal troops. If he had remained
there he would. OF course, have been arrested. but
General John D. Stevenson. IN command, was an
old friend and schoolmate OF Vest. Al the time
Stevenson arrived on the scene Mrs. Vest was ill
He stationed n guard around the Vest houses~and
kept IL there as long he remained in the vicinity
Senator Vest never forgot this kindness When
General Stevenson died ago his widow was
left in straitened circumstances. Hearing OF this
Senator Vest prepared 2 OH and forced II through
Congress allowing her so month. l. was q diA-