The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1907-05-11
CIVIL WAR SPEAKER.
Galusha 4. Crows Remarkable
Career In American Politics.
FATHER OF HOMESTEAD LAW.

! MISSED Preeiooncy OF Oniteo Statee 0y
One Vote In Observation-Disclosures
Fight on Floor Of House-consrsss-
man In Youth and Age.
/ As the father Of the national home
stead law, whereby thousands Of Amer
ican citizens have been enabled to own
homes and thus have developed new
ltates and built up the great west, the
late Galusha A. Grow, who died on
Easter day, will be remembered long.
Mr.. Grow for more than forty years
had been famous as the speaker Of the
national house of representatives dur
| ing the first two years Of the civil war.
His life was exceptional in many re-
spects. He began his political career
as the youngest member Of congress
aud closed it as the oldest member,
with an interval of more than thirty
years Of private life. When reelected
to congress after this long retirement
he received the largest majority ever
given up 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
1924. When first elected to congress
he was only twenty-seyen, and he be-
came speaker at thirty-six. He was
the youngest speaker in the history of
congress.
| Mr.. Grow was elected speaker of the
house on July 4. 1861, and so ably and
acceptably hid he discharge the duties
of that Office that at tie close of his
term unanimous vote Of thanks was
given him-the first unanimous vote
given to speaker in many years. Pre-
vious to his election to the speakership
he had been chairman Of the commit
tees on Indian affairs and on terri
tories, being at the head Of the latter
I during all the Kansas troubles.
! One Of the most important and dis
tinguished services which he rendered
to the country during this period was
that of securing the passage Of the free
homestead law. It took him nearly ten
years to carry 1t through, and during
much Of the time 1t was regarded as
l
the bill in the first congress in which
he served and, in fact, made his first
speech in congress in support Of the
bill. He believed that the government
should not make the public lands a
source Of revenue, but that 1t should
bestow them in small homesteads upon
those without land for actual settle
1 In,
leaders opposed the bill because they
knew that the territories would be set
| tied by small farmers from the free
states. A modified bill was passed In
Buchanan's administration. but it was
vetoed by him. After the breaking out
Of the war it was passed. and Mr..
Grow had the pleasure as speaker OF
signing his pet measure.
IN tie period just before the out
break cf the civil war the assault in
| the senate Of Brooks on Charles Sum-
Ter 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 lGdicrouS sequel restored the
good humor Of the body. But Mr..
Grow was little later challenged to
a duel by Branch Of North Carolina, to
which Mr.. Grow replied that he re-
| garded 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 1 shall defend
/ whenever and wherever they are as
sailed"
/ In 1864 Mr.. Grow came within one
vote of being nominated for vice presi-
dent instead of Andrew Johnson. who
became president after Lincoln's as
lsassination.
He spent the summer of 1870 In Call
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 1875 he returned to
his home in Glenwood, Pa, and took
an active part In the state election OF
that year and In the presidential cleo
ton OF 1876.
Although It was well known that Mr..
Grow had long before announced that
he would not accept an office that did
not come by vote Of the people. Presi
dent Hayes In 1870 offered him the
mission to Russia. He declined the
honor and two years later was q can
didate for the United States senate.
After that time until he again entered
congress his large business interests
in oil, coal and iron occupied his at
tention.
During all the years Of his absence
from congress Mr. Grow retained an
active interest in state and national
politics and never grew rusty. He was
Ireventy years old when he re-entered
the house, and he took an esiYe and in
tfiuential part in the sess ~. Of that
Ibody. His popularity in 'ylvania
was shown by the fact thf 1896 he
received a plurality of = ) and a
iclear majority Of 269,71a tes, the