Recollections of Forty Years in the House, Senate and Cabinet: An Autobiography.Sherman, John
History
Recollections of Forty Years in the House, Senate and Cabinet: An Autobiography.
Sherman, John
Sherman, John, 1823-1900; Statesmen -- United States -- Biography; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century
Samuel S. Cox was an active, industrious and versatile Member of
Congress for more than twenty years. He was born in Ohio, graduated
at Brown University, was admitted to the bar, but, I believe, rarely
practiced his profession. His natural bent was for editorial and
political conflicts, in which most of his life was spent. He was
a good debater, overflowing with humor without sarcasm. In the
campaign of 1860, he and I had a running debate at long range. In
a speech at Columbus, then his residence, I spoke of his erratic
course on the Lecompton bill. He replied at Mansfield with
shrewdness, humor and ability. I reviewed his speech at the same
place, and we kept up a running fire during that canvass, but this
did not disturb our friendly relations. Some years later, he
removed to New York, where he was soon taken into favor, and was
elected several times to Congress. He was the author of several
books of merit, and was the champion of a measure establishing the
life-saving service of the country upon its present footing. He
may be classified as a leading Member of the House of Representatives,
a bright and successful speaker and a copious author. He died
September 10, 1889.
John A. Bingham was regarded, next to Mr. Corwin, as the most
eloquent member of the Ohio delegation, and, perhaps with one or
two exceptions, of the House of Representatives. He studied law
and was admitted to the bar in 1840. He served for sixteen years
in the House of Representatives on the judiciary and other important
committees, and took an active and leading part in all the debates
during this long period. He was a man of genial, pleasing address,
rather too much given to flights of oratory, but always a favorite
with his colleagues and associates. He was subsequently appointed
United States minister to Japan, where he remained for many years.
He still lives at a ripe old age at Cadiz, Ohio.
During the existence of the 36th Congress, I do not recall any
political divisions in the committee of ways and means, unless the
tariff is considered a political measure. It was not so treated
by the committee. The common purpose was to secure sufficient
revenue for the support of the government. The incidental effect
of all duties was to encourage home manufactures, but, as the rule
adopted was applied impartially to all productions, whether of the
farm, mine, or the workshop, there was no controversy except as to
the amount or rate of the duty. The recent dogma that raw materials
should not have the benefit of protection did not enter the mind
of anyone. The necessity of economy limited the amount of
appropriations, but if the war had not changed all conditions, the
revenues accruing would have been sufficient for an economical
administration of the government.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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