Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-01-07

did not want to fight againss his
friends and relatives at home. Ac-
cordingiy. he asked permission to re-
sign, which was granted
After leaving the army, Elkins
started West with a party Of friends,
intending to settle in California, When
they reached Arizona he was persuad-
E ! to give up the expedition and go to
Messilla, near FL Paso, to take UP the
practice of law.
All the courts were conducted in
Spanish, and ii was with some pride
that Senator Elkins used to relate the
story cf the first case It was argued
by him in broken Spanish, and he won
it, receiving fee OF $40.
Thereafter the young barristeg got
plenty to do. His Spanish improved.
and he was sent to the Territorial leg
islature CT New Mexico, where all the
proceedings We're conducted in Span
ish
Rose in Prominence.
al lht CoilCluSiui Ol zAue ltStsfdtiNe
session, Elklns made circuit of the
courts, as was the custom, and found
his practice growing by leaps and
bounds. He had decided to go to st.
Louis, but when his practice increas-
ed steadily and he had accumulated a
snail fortune, he made up his mind to
stay in the West for time at least.
investing his money in paying secur-
ties. He rose in prominence at the
ban of the Territory. and was appoint
ed district attorney, attorney general
and later United states district attor:
ney for New Mexico.
He was elected to the Forty-third
Congress in 1873, as territorial del
egate, and while aboard was renomi-
mated and reelected to the following
Congress. 1t was in these two terms
that Senator Elkins made his real en-
trance to politics, Immediately becom-
ing a figure of national prominence.
He was member of the Republican
National Committee. serving in that
capacity for three Presidential cam
paigns.
After the expiration of his second
term, Mr.. Elkins decided to remain in
Washington and continue his law prac
| tice. He had large clientele in the
West. and said himself that he made
$4,000 in his first year here. His sec
ond year was equally as profitable, but
n n ,rt1y nh oil ,,1n acfta ar
to Mr., Elkins, and he decided to go to
New York City.
In New York, Mr.. Elkins found an
other profitable field. He got into
railroads and other properties, and re-
NAMED there until appointed Secre-
tary of War. in 1891. He served in
that capacity for three years At the
close of his term, he we TO Elkins,
W. Va. where he has invested a con-
siderable part of his fortune, and had
erected ~Halliehurst. beautiful
home.
Leader In West Virginia.
In the Presidential campaign of
1892, Mr.. Elkins. who was closely as
scciated with James G.. Blame, took
sn active part on behalf of the Repub-
lican candidate. His work IN that
campaign Nrarked him as the leader of
his party in West Virginia. In Febru-
AIRY, 1894. he was elected to the Senate
TO succeed Johnson NJ. Camden. He
was unanimously reelected in 1901,
and in 1907 was returned hv a largo
majority. His term would have ex-
pred March 3, 1918.
Senator Elkins was regarded as one
of the regular leaders OF the Senate
He was chairman of the Committee
On Interstate Commerce, was second
on the Committee on Commerce, and
occupied a prominent place on other
important committees of the Senate.
As chairman of the COMMITTEES on In
terstate Commerce he led the fight in
that body to put through the Hepburn
railroad rate law.
His name Is given to act prohibit
ing rebating by railroad companies.
During the last session of the pres
ent Congress Senator Elkins was in
charge OF Ito hard fight which the adj
ministration made to put through its
amendments to the Hepburn law.
He was known as a hard worker,
and one of the well-informed mem
bers of the Senate.
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