The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-03-19
vermonters in CONGRESS

In a recent issue the Burlington
Free Press printed a most interesting
list of 166 native Vermonters who
have represented Vermont or other
states in the national congress. This
does not include the names of Yer
monters born in other states who have
this commonwealth in
the House or in the Senate, and OF
exclude all of the men who
we're our senators and representatives
during the first years of our existence
as a state of the Union.
Among the notable names of those
who have represented states other
than Vermont perhaps the most ia
nous is that of Stephen A. Douglass,
Abraham Lincolns great opponent,
who defeated the future president forl
the senatorship, but was defeated la
ter when the presidency was at stake
A great lawyer, great orator, al
great leader and the idol of consid
cradle section Of the Democratic par
ty, Douglass was one OF Americas
most noted men.
Probably Thaddeus Stevens ranks
next on the list Although never a
candidate for the presidency, he
ranks as one of the ablest OF Ameri-
cas- parliamentary leaders and one OF
our greatest constructive statesmen.
For years he was the master of the
House of Representative and during
the critical reconstruction period fol-
lowing the Civil war he was one of
the two or three most powerful men
in public life.
IL is not so easy to arrange the
rank OF the others, although a high
place must be given to Levi p. Nor
ton, who represented New YORK dis
trict, but whose fame rests upon his
achievements as vice president Of
the United States, governors of New
York, minister to France and sue
cessful business man and banker.
John A. Kasson for years was a
| leading member of the House Foreign
Relations committee and later negoti.
ated many reciprocity treaties.
William r. Villas has been promi
nent lawyer and business man, a mem
Der of President Clevelands cabinet
and distinguished Senator from Wis
consin Two other famous Wisconsin
senators were native Vermonters-
| Mathew II. Carpenter, a brother-in-lav
Of Senator Dillingham;, and in his time
a leader of the Senate and grea
lawyer, and Philetus Sawyer, veal
thy lumber dealer
John NJ. Thurston OF Nebraska Il
a famous lawyer and orator. and wal
one of the best known Senators dur
ing his public life.
William Pitt Kellogg was one OF tn,
reconstruction governors OF Louisiana
and represented that state In the Sen
ate before the Democrats made 1t
part OF the solid South.
Richard f. Pettigrew, represente'
South Dakota in the Senate 70
twelve years but followed Bryan dun
ing the free silver period and has re
manned in the Democratic party.
Stephen w. Dorsey represented Al
kansas in the Senate for a term bu
later became involved in the Sta
Route frauds.
Roswell G. Horr OF Michigan wa
long one of the stoutest defendants @
the protective tariff policy in tn
House, and was we'll known can
paign orator.
: Columbus Delano, of Ohio, was
prominent defender OF the wool tariff
Joseph w. Babcock of Wisconsin wa
a leading member OF the House fo
; many years and for a long time wa
, chairman Of The Republican congrei
sional campaign committee.
George Edmund Foss, Of Illinois
now member of the House. had bee
chairman of the naval committee fo
a considerable period when the Den
ocrats captured the House two year
ago. other well known men in thi
= list are John b. Corliss OF Michigan
, and Walbridge A. Field and A. A. Raj
, ney Of Massachusetts.
I IL would have been a great thin
for Vermont II more of these stron
, men could have been kept at home
aid in developing our state. Probabl
no state has contributed so man
strong men to build up other state
as Vermont has done. Mt least accor
y ing to its size and population. Bl
v no state can place an embargo upo
It's sons and daughters. There mu
be full and free opportunity to d
, where there seems to be the be-
, opening. The task that lies before |
as state Is to enlarge the bounda
les OF opportunity, to develop OF
abundant but neglected resources m
thus to make II profitable and desi
D able for young men and women
I remain in the Green Mountain state.
Montpclier Journal