The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-11-19
Ex.CONGRESsMAN HEPBURN

liz oiooA SAly cOui AAi VI q NCCh
ago last Sunday contained most eX-
haustive review of the life of Ex-
Congressman Hepburn. The occasion
Of the writeup was the fact that he
had just passed his eightieth birth
day and still finds himself hale and
hearty and candidate for at least
several years more of usefulness on
earth.
The account of his life goes into
the history of his ancestors far enough
to develop the fact that they were
men and women of strong mental at
tainments and ambitious to win their
way in life, and it is no surprise that
Mr.. Hepburn should have turned out
to be an extraordinary character He
came to this state in it's early history
and soon identified himself with the
movements intended to develop it.,
and make it what it is today, one of
the leading states in the union. He
soon became one of the recognized
leaders among the other giants who
lived in those days. His associates
were such men as Grimes, Dillon, Price,
kirkwood, Harlan, Allison, Wilson and
Gear, and he lived to see the efforts
of these great men crowned with the
highest success. He attained distinc-
ton in the legal profession first in a
local way in southwestern Iowa and
later by being called into other Sec
tons of the state and even into the
other states of the union.
In 1881 he was elected to congress,
where he served with distinction until
the wave of populism surged across
the country, when he was supplanted
in his congressional work by Major
Anderson, whose experience and rep
utation in the field of legislation were
short lived. Mr.. Hepburn, after serv
ing with distinguished honor as So
licitor of the treasury, was again elect
ed to congress, where for twenty-five
years he served as one of the leaders
in that body. His career as con-
gresham was marked by independ-
ence of thought, clearness of concep-
ton and ability as an orator. For
many years he filled the position Of
chairman of the important committee
on foreign and interstate commerce.
and during the period he had the salts
faction of reporting from his commit
tee practically all of the reform legis-
lation which was passed during Theo-
dore Roosevelt's administration.
There never was day while he
was in congress that he did not have
at home a coterie of small fry bent
on defeating him, either for renOmi-
nation or for the election after nomi-
nation but his magnificent record of
accomplishment at the national CAPT
tai was such that his prestige carried
him through, Notwithstanding local op-
position. Mr.. Hepburn, during his
whole career, was a strong believer in
the republican party and while there
may have been times that on some
matters he differed with his colleagues
in the main he was steadfast in his
belief in republicanism.
1t was the misfortune of his dis
trict at last to turn him down and to
send to congress in his place demo
crat, who was unable to accomplish any
thing of moment for his country and
who in comparison with Mr. Hepburn
seemed of no Importance. He, no
doubt, wondered during his short ca
reer in Washington why it was that
the district should supplant man of
such commanding influence as Col.
Hepburn for one with no experience
in legislation or ability to carry him
self to a point of prestige such as was
possessed by his predecessor
This is not intended as reflection
upon his capacity or patriotism be-
cause he was a good man and perhaps
as strong as any other man in the
district save Mr.. Hepburn himself.
The state of Iowa owes debt of graf
itude to men of the ability and patriot
ism of Col. Hepburn, but it seems 1t
is only after it is too late to express
the gratitude which is owing such men
that the people come to appreciate
their work and the glory they have
brought to the state. |