Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-08-17
A NOTED OFFICIAL
Late John G.. Carlisle Climbed
the Political Ladder with
Unusual Success.
WAS NATIVE OF KENTUCKY
Career Begun in Blue Grass Legis-
lature Led TO Many Positions of
the Highest Honor.

John Griffin Carlisle, whose recent
death in New York was forecast by
his long illness. was not only secretary
OF the treasury under Mr.. Cleveland
and one of the chief friends and adj
visers of that president, but had also
to the credit OF his long public ca
reer seat In the United States senate
and the speakership Of the house Of
representatives.
Mr.. Carlisle had been lieutenant gov
ernor of his native state Of Kentucky
and held a seat in both houses Of its
legislature. He was a gold Democrat,
and his party recognized him as leader
on the question of taxation. In the
tariff debates he also won high stand
ing with the party for his advocacy Of
lower schedules.
Starting life in poverty, with a
meager education, when he was ad-
mttted to the bar in 1853, after several
years Of teaching, he was only TWEEN
ty-three years old and had already
given promise Of a brilliant career
He was born In Campbell county. KY.
In 1885. the youngest son in the nu-
merous family Of Lilbon Il. Carlisle, q
P4dAISE VI SOOO NHBluldu SLOch.
With the exception Of his early in
sruction in the common schools, he
was self educated. When he was still
In his teens he taught school. His
leisure time gave him an opportunity
to read lawbooks. and year or two
later he moved to Covington. KY, and
became a clerk in the law Office Of
Governor J. W. Stevenson.
Began Politics Early.
When he was admitted to the bar he
was already instructed in politics. and
when he was twenty-four he was elect
ed member Of the lower house Of the
Kentucky legislature. He was re-
elected foU:' times. In 1864 he declined
TO be nominated as a presidential
eiector on the Democratic ticket to
east q vote against the reelection Of
President Lincoln. and in 1865 he was
elected state senator. He was re-elect-
ed to the senate.
At the Democratic national conven-
ton held in New York in 1853 Carlisle
made his first appearance in the arena
Of national politics as delegate at
large from Kentucky. Horatio Sey-
mour was nominated for the presi-
dency at this convention. Mr.. Car
Isle was lieutenant governor Of Ken
lucky from 1871 to 1875. A year later
he was one Of the alternate Tilden
electors at large from Kentucky.
When Mr.. Carlisle was elected to
congress in 1875 Samuel J. Randall,
whom he was to overthrow. was a
power in the lower house. This was
the Forty-ffth congress. He was five
times reelected by large majorities and
served as speaker for three terms. He
was an authority on parliamentary
law, and when the house seemed mex
tricably involved his clear judicial
terms Strengthened things out and
brought calmness out OF the apparent
chaos.
Mr.. Carlisle won his spurs in con-
gress on the Carlisle internal revenue
bill IN the Fortyffth congress. From
that hour he became the recognized
leader of his party on the question Of
taxation. He was the life and soul OF
the per cent bank bill. The measure
afterward passed the senate, but was
vetoed by President Hayes.
Three Years In Senate.
Mr.. Carlisle stepped from the house
into the senate in 1880, when he was
chosen to fIl the unexDired term of