Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-08-12
SENATOR ALLISON.

The receipt of the news of his death
just before going to press last week,
and the EDITORS enforced absence from
the office on account of illness, pre-
vented more than the printing of a
cut and brief mention Of the
demise of Senator Allison in our last
issue.
To make fitting record of the
career of Iowa's most distinguished
citizen and statesman would require
an entire page of an ordinary news
paper. On the other hand, practically
every fireside in the commonwealth
has read and reread lengthy sketches
of his career. In brief, William Boyd
Allison was born in Wayne county,
Ohio, March 2, 1929, where he worked
on his fathers farm and attended
winter schools until Is years of age,
when he entered the academy at
Wooster. He spent year later at
Meadville college. and year at
Western Reserve college. Then he
studied law, being admitted to
practice in 1862, opening an office at
Ashland. Ohio. He came to Dubuque
in April 1857, and in 1869 was elected
to congress from the Third district,
being three times reelected. He was
a candidate for U. s. Senator in 1870
but failed. though in 1879 he was
elected and took his seat March 4,
1878. serving ever since. He became
chairman of the appropriations com.
mittee in 1881, and since 1877 has
been member of the senate finance
committee. and has had much to do
with shaping the financial policies of
the government. He was the senior
senator in point of years of continuous
service. and for many years has been a
powerful factor IN the nation, being
constantly consulted by the president
and members of congress upon ques-
tions of Importance.
He was offered the Secretaryship of
the Treasury both by President Gar
field in 1881 and by President Harri-
son in 1889. and also the Secretaryship
Of State by President Mckinley in
1897. but refused each time. Twice
in 1888 and 1896, he was offered by
the citizens of Iowa as a presidential
candidate, but Iowa was too cei tain
republican state to secure recognition.
Many kilograms reached his home
soon after the news of his death was
scattered about last Tuesday after
noon. among the many being messages
from President Roosevelt, Vice. presi.
dent Fairbanks, Speaker Cannon. Wm
H. Taft, James S. Sherman and scores
of prominent citizens.
The funeral services were held from
his home in Dubuque Saturday after
noon at four O'Clock. Rev. DR.. Bergen
of Westminster Presbyterian church
officiating. They were attended by
Vice. president Fairbanks, Col.
Ransdell, sergeant.at-arms of the SEN
ate, and committee representing the
United States Senate and the House of
representatives, which included all
the Iowa congressman. Gov. Cummins
and the state officials. and long line
of personal friends and prominent
citizens of the state. Interment was
private at Linwood cemetery. within
a short distance from the grave of the
late Col. d. b. Henderson.
In his death Iowa loses its most dis
citizen, the nation its
wisest counselor. He has had more to
do with shaping the destinies of
America and has written on the
statute books more substantial legisla-
tion than any other citizen. His long
career, unequalled in years of service
and usefulness to his country. has
been without the Breath of shame or
scandal. without single question as
to his high.minded integrity and alb.
solute honesty. History will rightly
record his name among Those of the
greatest men the nation has produced.
Candidates for Judge of the Su-
preme Court to succeed Judge Bishop. |
deceased, are multiplying very rapid.
ly. Many excellent men aud lawyers
are being named and the contest
promises to be very interesting. |
Fayette county will present the name
,f A. N. Hobson who has been ON the
district bench for a great many years.
md man who has made splendid
'ecord. Without in any way question
ng the fitness of any of the other can
lidates, we feel certain that Judge
dobson would fill the position with
'minent ability and give entire salts
action to those desirous of having
xact and impartial justice admin
stored in even handed manner to all.
Usage News.
w. j. Bryan will make several
ampaiyH tours which will embrace