ADDRESS OF MR. HENRY C. SMITH, OF MICHIGAN.

Mr. SPEAKER: I am persuaded to take the time of the House to speak of the life, the worth, and the character of the late Senator JAMES MCMILLAN. The example and the good influence of such a life and of such a character ought not to be lost.

Senator MCMILLAN was also the representative of a new school in politics—the honest, sincere, practical, and effective public servant, working to the purpose that government should be by and for the people and not by and for the politicians—a class to be emulated and encouraged.

He was born at Hamilton, Ontario, May 12, 1838, the second son of William and Grace McMillan, who came there from Scotland in the year 1834. His father was prominently connected with the Great Western Railway and with other large enterprises, and was a strong man. Like this son, the father was perfectly fearless in any cause which he believed to be just. He, too, was keen, energetic, at all times on the alert for opportunities by which he could better himself, and he had the same sterling integrity, and was at the same time also a most agreeable man socially, and devoted to his family.

His ambition for James was a college course and a finished education in the schools. But the commercial instinct dominated the son; he quit school and conducted a store for some years. Then the rising Republic attracted him and led him to believe that opportunities were greater here, and in 1855, without means, acquaintances, or friends, he moved to Detroit, Mich., where he engaged as a clerk for a well-known hardware firm, on a meager salary. Two years later, through the

influence of his father, he became purchasing agent for a railroad company. He developed business thrift without wealth's greed; honesty which was its own herald and required no boosting, it was natural; geniality without profusion; he was bright, not caustic; he never wounded others, and did not push others aside or climb over them. Direct and true, he hit the mark and won gloriously. To but enumerate and describe the large business concerns with which he was connected and over which he exercised commanding influence would be almost to give a history of the great business of the city of Detroit and of the State of Michigan.

His holdings at the time of his death covered many branches of business-railroads, real estate, bank and telephone stock, mining, car shops, boat buildings, navigation, and industries of all kinds.

He had an income of $300,000 a year, and died worth $5.000,000. And he earned it all, unaided, by his commanding ability. It has been said to be praise enough of another that he wrote no line which dying he could wish to blot." It is a most welcome thought that when we lay the measuring rod upon the life and deeds of Senator MCMILLAN we find no line which we would wish to blot. He had not one dollar which the world might not know where and how he got it; there is no taint upon his fortune, no mar upon his business integrity. He won fairly all he had. Not by cunning manipulation, nor by the natural rise in the values of properties, but by his foresight, energy, ability, and absolute and unqualified integrity he gave value to the properties he managed. He did not hurt his fellow-man; he "blazed the trees" of new enterprises, and stood in a class alone.

He succeeded because he worked, because he was shrewd, because he was honest, and had and merited the confidence and

trust of those who traded with him.

Because he selected the

good and shunned the bad. No bad passion disfigured his life. And goodness, after all, is the final test. His life is a record of thrift, integrity, and patriotism which others seeing will strive to follow. It is a solemn thing to lead such a life; its example will leave a good and lasting imprint on the State and the nation.

The poet has said:

Success is labor's prize;

Work is the mother of fame.

And who on a boom shall rise

To the height of an honored name?

The bee by industry reapeth

The stores which enrich the hives.

All that is thrifty creepeth,

For toil is the law of lives.

And he who reaps without sowing

A bitter harvest reaps.

The law of gradual growing

Is the law that never sleeps.

He brought into his public and political life the same principles, the same ability, the same integrity, work, and fidelity, and a lofty patriotism. In all of his political life he was unflinchingly upright, and he demanded the same integrity from those with whom he held any relations. He gave full credit to honesty, but would not countenance sham or pretense of any kind.

He became the unanimous choice of the Michigan legislature for United States Senator, and no taint of money marred the choice.

When he became a public servant he divorced himself from private enterprises; interested in transportation, he refused in the Senate a position on the Interstate Commerce Committee.

His work as chairman of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia is appreciated, and his memory will always

be sacred in Washington, the District, and the nation. He directed the affairs of the District with the same business sagacity and prudence which made his own business life such a

success.

He had three great purposes: First, to overcome the feeling that the District was not to be generously aided; second, to make the improvements permanent, substantial, and on a scale. suitable to the capital of a rich, powerful, and generous people; and third, to beautify in an artistic and a worthy way the wonderful city of Washington. It was his aim and ambition that this should be the most beautiful capital city of the world, as it is the capital city of the strongest, the most patriotic, and the most generous nation on earth. If in the days to come the Congress shall carry out what his mind had the ability to conceive and what he had the courage to stand for, this great capital, where sentiments of loyalty and national pride and national honor are made, and policies of growth and thrift and stability and justice are formed, will indeed be the place where the people of the globe may come for lessons in the best government of man.

This is monument enough, in memories cherished, sacred and enduring; but beyond his ability, beyond his wealth-and those who knew him best never thought of his riches-beyond his public services, beyond all, was the man. He was a man; he loved his fellow-men, and ministered unto them when they were sick." He was as generous as he was noble. During all of his busy life he did the duty of a good citizen, in the ranks, in caucuses, in conventions, everywhere. "Who would be chiefest among you must be servant of all' was the inspiration of his life. In times of financial disaster he did not await the call of anguish, but tendered, unasked, needed help and gave with free hand and in abundance.

On his funeral day the wheels of industry, which had sung his praises in the music of progress, were still. The churches, the colleges, the libraries, and the hospitals that had known him were shrouded in somber hues. The laborers who worked and toiled for ample pay by reason of his life joined in the universal lament. Smoke was dead in chimneys under which his thrift had built furnace fires; the blinds of bank and shop were drawn, and boats on river and lake bore flags of mourning. House and Senate will miss him, Detroit will miss him, Michigan will miss him, the District and the nation will miss him. Labor and capital will miss him, charity will miss him. But home and friends will miss him most.

Friends are in life's exchange the sterling coin,
True tender for all the rarest forms of joy;

The only pauper is the friendless man.

We join in the full chorus of respect and affection for the polished man, the faithful servant, the cherished friend.

Mr. CORLISS. Mr. Speaker, on account of the unavoidable absence of other members who desire to speak upon this occasion, I ask unanimous consent that general leave to print be granted for ten days.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Michigan asks unanimous consent that general leave to print be granted for ten days. Is there objection?

There was no objection.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. And now, pursuant to the resolutions heretofore adopted, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, the House stands adjourned. Accordingly (at 1 o'clock and 35 minutes p. m.) the House adjourned.

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