Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-23

vention in 1896. He and Major Mckinney
had been warm personal friends Tor many
years They were both born in ono, were
both members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and their political views were in
exact accord In manner and method or
thought they exhibited the same tempera-
ment It was natural that Mr.. FAIRBANKS
should support Mr.. Mckinley. and he was
one of his strongest advocates in the pre-
lminary organization leading up to the
campaign of 1896. He was chosen chaiI
man of the Indiana delegation to the 81.
Louis convention, and Mr.. Mckinley IN
vited Mr. Fairbanks to be temporary chair
man of the convention. The latter's speech
on that occasion attracted widespread m
terest and was a keynote for the approach
ing campaign.
In Demand as Political Orator.
In the campaign that followed Mr.. Fair
banks was invited to speak In nearly all
of the northern states and responded as
far as he was able to do so. He has al
ways been much in demand as a speaker
in political campaigns
Mr. Fairbanks leadership in Indiana
was still more generally recognized after
he returned from the ST. Louis conven-
ton From that time until the present ne
has been the dominant figure in all po-
litical movements within the republican
ranks in the state. The republicans car
ried Indiana on the national and state
tickets that year by about 10000 ma
jority. The legislature was safely repub-
lican. In the republican caucus which
followed in January. 1897, he was nom
mated for United States senator on the
first ballot. Thus he achieved without
great difficulty and with the best of party
feeling his first ambition to hold office.
That was the third time his name had
been brought before his party for the
senatorship In Indiana. On the other oc-
casions he had received his party's sup
port but it was at a time when the demo-
Gratis were in the majority. 1t was Sena-
tor Daniel w Voorhees, who was destined
to be defeated by Senator Fairbanks.
Entrance Into the Senate.
The entrance of Senator Fairbanks into
the United States Senate was at the time
of the restoration of the republican party
to- power after four years of democratic
rule, accompanied by industrial and
financial depression that had Frustrated
the country. Mr.. Fairbanks close rela-
lions with President Mckinley made his
position in the Senate especially desir-
able. He was destined to play conspicu-
Gus part in the new administration which
was to restore the protective tariff policy,
place the country on sound financial
basis wage a successful war with Spain
iE the interest of humanity and witness
the advent of the United States in the
foremost rank of world powers.
II.
work OF the extra session which passed
the Dingley tariff bill. He was prominent
among men who framed the legislation
to revise the currency laws. He was at
once given the Craftsmanship of the COM
mittee on immigration. and while occu-
plying that position worked earnestly to
SO reform the immigration laws that the
standard Of citizenship in this country
might not be lessened. Later he became
chairman of the committee on public
buildings and grounds, and in that posi-
ton always advocated broad policy for
the construction of public buildings all
over the country.
Friend Of the National Capital.
He believed In the building up of the ma
tional capital and, business man, could
never sympathize with those economists
who favored the renting of private build
ings for public uses. He pointed out in his
speeches on this subject the large degree
of economy that would result from The con-
struction of needed buildings by the gov
eminent. He believed that great nation
should provide Itself with an ideal capital
city as Its national workshop. At the same
time he was an advocate of the broadest OF
all forms of economy which involves the
best facilities for CARRYING on government
work without undue extravaganza.
Mr.. Fairbanks entire course preceding
and during the war with Spain is one that
has been Justified by events. He was one
OF PRESIDENT MCNlHley 5 clOSeSt duNISeIS
during that trying period. He was at the
White House almost daily. He was for
war when he realized that war was in
'ey1table and approved the broadcast meas
ures for liberal treatment for Cuba when
the war was over.
He conceived the idea of extending aid to
the stricken inhabitants of the Island of
Martinique after the volcanic eruption. 1t
was he who introduced the bill for that
purpose approprlating $4,000 for the relief
of the inhabitants
His Diplomatic Work.
Mr. Fairbanks was named by President
Mckinley as one Of the American commits
sioners of the United States and British
joint high commission and was chairman
Of the American commissioners. The prin-
cipal questions before the commission aside
from the Alaska boundary question were
the proposed abrogation of the Rush-Bagot
treaty Of 1877, which prohibited the build
ing or maintaining OF war vessels above a
certain tonnage on the Great Lakes. the
lake fisheries question and Canadian reci-
prOcity
On account Of his close friendship with
the late President Mckinley Mr.. Fairbanks
was invited to deliver the address at tho
unwilling Of the Mckinley monument at
Toledo, Ohio, last year. He has been the
guest of and has delivered addresses before
the principal political clubs of the country.
At the Philadelphia convention of 1860