The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-04-10
CIVIL WAR SPEAKER.
0aIusha A. Crows Remarkable
Career In American Politics.
FATHER OF HOMESTEAD LAW.
Missed Presidency Of United States by
One Vote In observation-disclosures
Finht on Floor Of Housc-Congress-
man IN Youth and Age.

man IN Youth and Age.
Al the father Of the national home
stead law, whereby thousands of Amer
lean citizens have been enabled to own
homes and thus have developed new
states and built up the great west tho
late Galusha A. Grow, who died Oh
Easter day, will be remembered long
Mr.. Grow for moro than forty years
had been famous as the speaker Of the
national house Of representatives dur.
ing the flrst two years of the civil war
His Mfc was exceptional In many re-
spects. He began his political career
- the youngest member Of congress
ana closed II az the oldest member,
with an interval Of more than thirty
years Of private life. When reelected
to congress after this long retirement
be received the largest majority ever
given mp to that time for any candidate
IN any state. This was when he was
elected congressman at large from
Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Grow was born In Connecticut in
161G. When flrst elected to congress
be was only twenty seven, and be be-
came speaker at thirty-six. lie was
tho youngest speaker In the history Of
congress.
Mr.. Grow was elected speaker Of the
house on July 4, 1851. and 30 ably and
acceptably did be discharge the duties
Of that Office that ut the close Of his
term . unanimous vote OF thanks was
given him-the first unanimous vote
given to speaker In many years. Pre-
vfDus TO his election to the speakership
be had been chairman Of the commit
tees on Indian affairs and on terri
torieA being at the head Of the latter
during all the Kansas troubles.
One Of the most important and dis
tinguished services which he rendered
% tho country during this period was
that Of securing the passage Of the free
homestead law. It took him nearly ten
years to carry It through. and during
much OF the time II wns regarded as
The project Of crank. He introduced
tho bin IN the first congress In which
he served and, In fact, made his first
speech In congress In support of the
bin. he believed that the government
should not mako the public lands
source Of revenue, but that II should
bostow them In small homesteads upon
those without land for actual settle
unent and cultivation. The proslavery
leaders opposed the bill because they
knew that the territories would be set
t1ed by small farmers from the free
states A modified bill was passed In
Buchanan's administration but II was
vetoed BY him. After the breaking out
ok the war It was passed, and Mr..
Grow had the pleasure 40 speaker Of
signing his pet measure.
In the period just before the out
break Of the civil war the assault In
the senate Of Brooks on Charles Sum-
ner was not unique. Mr.. Grow had
passage with Kilt OF South Carolina,
but In the general fight which ensued
Barksdale OF Mississippi lost his wig
which ludicrOuS sequel restored the
good humor Of the body. But Mr..
Grow was . little later challenged to
. duel by Branch Of North Carolina, to
which Mr.. Grow replied that he re-
slrded dueling as at variance with
the precepts OF the Christian religion
and the sentiments Of Christian people;
but" he added, my personal rights
and the freedom Of debate guaranteed
by the constitution I shall defend
whenever and wherever they are as
sailed"
In 1854 Mr.. Grow came within one
vote Of being nominated for vice presi-
dent instead Of Andrew Johnson, who
became president after Lincoln's as
eassination
He spent the summer Of 1870 In Cali
fornia, Oregon and British Columbia,
and In 1871 he took up his residence In
Houston. Tex. as president OF the In
ternational and Great Northern rail-
road Of Texas. In 1876 he returned to
his home In Glenwood, Pa. and took
IN active part In the state election Of
that year aud In the presidential elec-
ton OF 1876
Although 4 was well known that Mr..
Grow had l0ng before announced that
b would not accept an Office that did
not come BY vote Of the people, Presi-
dent Hayes In 1870 offered him the
m1A4lO0 10 huS010. n6 QecIlueO the
honor and two years later was q can
didate Tor the United States senate.
After that time until he again entered
congress his large business interests
n oil. coal and Iron occupied his at
tention.
During all the years Of his absence
from congress- Mr.. Grow retained al
active interest In state and national
politics and never grew rusty. He was
seventy years old when he re-entered
tho house. and he took an active end In
lluential part In the sessions OF that |
body. His popularity in Pennsylvania
was shown BY the fact that In 1900 he
received plurality Of 207. .440 and a
clear majot1ty-of 280.778 votes, the
largest ever given In any state to any
candidate for any ONCE After his
unanimous election In his earlier serv
ics be was known a. "Great Majority |
Cr0w.* Ths eooemous votes which be |
polled at every election In the course Of
hlS last service smphasized the suita-
billH q this appeilation.
n M lnduo1snen3.