The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1909-07-08
CUSHMAN FROM IOWA
Congressman From Washington
Was Known Here.

Representative Cushman Of Wash
ngton, who died of pneumonia in a
New York hospital yesterday, was for
merly of Iowa. He was a cousin of
| Mrs. John F. Lacey of this city, and
was known to many here, having visit
ed in Oskaloosa several times. He
was only AZ years old but had served
IN congress eleven years. He was
born and reared in Brighton, Washing
ton county, and was educated at the
high school at Brighton and at Pleas
ant Plain academy OF Jefferson coun-
ty. He assisted himself in securing an
education by working as waterboy on
railroad near his home and later as
section hand. He left Iowa at the age
of sixteen and went west. Had he
lived he would have been senator
from Washington to succeed Piles.
While Representative Cushman pos
sessed unchallenged the title of"house
humorist," he was universally regard
ed as far more than that. His high
ability was recognized by Speaker
Cannon in committee assignments,
particularly in his selection to fill a
vacancy on the ways and means COM
nittee at a time when a new tariff bill
was to be reported to the house for
consideration.
One striking thing about Represent
ttive Cushman was that he never dis
played his gift of humor to the house
or it's mere amusement, but always
With view of impressing his view
more forcibly upon that body. In con-
:rast with some humorists who have
passed into history, his fame does not
est on single speech. His maiden
Effort in the house attracted so much
attention to him that ever thereafter
lie gained a hearing as soon as he
rose. His style of expression and
lis h0mely appearance had quite as
much to do with the effect as his hum
)rous remarks.
One of his first speechesIto attract
attention touched upon the effects of
ne panic of 1893. In describing the
impoverished condition to which his
constituents were reduced he said
hey were forced to live on clans,
washed ashore by the incoming tide.
Their stomachs," he concluded,
rose and fell with the rising and fall
ing Of the tide"
He probably will be long remember
ID for the Effectiveness of his humor
in the debates on the Payne tariff bill
n the house. His speech in defense
of retaining the duty on lumber Sc
cured several additional votes for it.
it was said, at the time the house vot-
I'd on the schedule. Cushman's ac-
luiescing to a rule for a vote on the
Payne bill, with reduced rates on lum-
ber assured its passage. In describ-
ing to the house his feelings he lik-
ened them to those of COW puncher
In Wyoming, whose ability to raise
1000 cattle in one summer with one
COW as starter, caused a rope to- be
placed around his neck by vigilance
committee. G
They asked Bill what he had to
say" said Mr. Cushman. 'Old Bill
oiled his quid into the other cheek
md said: well gentlemen. j suppose
I got more interest in this perform
ance than any other gent present, but
| am the least enthusiastic over the
program"
The Washington congressman was
said to have looked more like Lincoln
than any other public man in recent
years. In summing up his career once
ne said he had been waterboy, Sec
tienhand, cowboy, school teacher. law
yer and congressman.