Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-06
LOS ANGELES MAN PAYS
TRIBUTE TO SENATOR ALLISON

Former Congressman Lionel A. Shell
don of Los Angeles, who served IN
congress with the late Senator Allison,
yesterday paid a tribute to his de-
ceased colleague, furnishing some side
lights into the character of the de-
parted statesman who was personally
known to hundreds of the Iowa colony
in Southern California.
Senator Allison and Congressman
Sheldon resided in adjoining counties
in Ohio in their youth, but met only
twice before Allison moved west 10
Iowa.
eve first met at convention for the
nomination of a representatives in con-
gress," said Mr.. Sheldon yesterday
I'm that campaign Allison was on the
stump in the district.
"It happened that during the civil
war three regiments at one time or an
other, partly raised in the county
whero Allison had resided, were under
my command, and from the OFFICERS |
learned much of him. and through
them he may have learned something
of me.
'When 1 entered congress he had
been a member six years, and from
the first our renewed acquaintance was
very cordial. Being an old member he
was able to and did render me essen
tial aid in my work. He was out OF
the house one term before he entered
the senate.
Industrious and Qulet
"Allison was an efficient member OF
both branches, though not what may
be called a brilliant man.
"IIis character and habits were ex-
cellent, and he had a large measure
of industry, was quiet palnstaklng
and avoided with great care pefsondl
a oOOfSInS
"He was extremely cautious, not
opinionated, not sentimental. No man
could do more effective work without
attracting the attention of others than
Allison.
bob Ingersol said Allison could run
over a floor covered with chinaWare
wearing Russian leather boots without
breaking a piece.
zone of his intimate friends said AL
lison could walk with the stiffness OF
a cat.
Nearly all his terms In the senate
Allison served on the committee on ap-
propriations and many years was It's
chairman. In that branch of sena-
torial work he was among the best
informed members the senate ever had
"IIe was a wise and trustworthy ad-
wiser in party affairs.
HE was successful in his undertake
ings because he gave much study &c
what he had to do, and none opposed
him from feeling of personal hostll-
ity.
Not an Extremist
'He was neither radical nor unduly
| conservative, but was balanced and re-
liable.
ssWhen 1 entered congress Allison
was a member Of the ways and means
committee, classed as a revenue re-
former He antagonized the Schemes
bill in some of its features in a speech
during a general debate on it.
ALLISON was a careful observer Of
the trend of public opinion and kept
in touch with it in Iowa with great
success.
s'It cannot be said that he was q
leader of public sentiment nor an origi.
nator of great measures, but was 9
good wheelhorse in carrying then
through to success when he decided
to support them. He never carried
a big stick, but accomplished through
careful and persistent work.
"Allison, Blaine and Garfield enterec
the house of representatives at thu
same time and were close friends
though their characteristics were quite
| dissimilar.
'Garfield had trouble in finding a sec
retary of the treasury that suited hin
and the conditions of the times. HI
first sounded Harrison, who replied
| that he expected to be chosen senator
which he preferred, and besides h
thought 1t would be difficult to achiev'
reputation as the successor of Sherman
Loses a Portfolio
'The place was offered to Allison
who did not decline 1t, but procrasti
mated in making a decision until i
became necessary to send the cabine
names to the senate. Window wal
chosen. Afterward Allison complainel
to me that he was not given time Il
make UP his mind. He never jumped
to a conclusion on any question.
have always thought that his hesita'
ton in this case was on account of thu
bitter contest going on between Blaine