Class_LJLk^ Book. . F7 U. 5 34' ^■'JJ- c/trvi^t.-aA,Xx ,T ■£>J3jJ. S2n Congress, 1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. f Mis. Doc. 2ii Session. J \ No. 98. MEMORIAL ADDRESSES LIFE AND CHARACTER MELBOURNE H. FORD, A REPRESENT.\TIVE FKOM MICHIG.\N, DEHVEREIi IN THE House of Representatives and in the senate, iX . FIFTY-SKCOND CONGRESS. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF CONGRESS. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1893. E Jlcunlird hy the IToiiup of Jxeprmrntalirin {the Srnntr concurrhifi), That thoro 111' jiliiitrd of the eulogies drlivrnd in ('iiii;;nss n\>o>\ tlii" lliiii. MlM.Uoi liXE H. FoHl), lafr a I{e)ircsentative from llic Stati- nf Michigan, cinlit tli, late a Ueprosentative from the .State of Michigan. Uenulrvd, That, as a partieular mark of respect to the memory of the de- ceased, and in recognition of his eminiMil abilities as a public servant, the Hou.se at the conclusion of these nn^morial proceedings shall stand ad- journed. IleKolvi'd, That the Clerk cummMuicatc thesi- resolutions to the Senate. Iteaitlved, Tliat the Clerk lie instructed to send a copy of thes«- resolu- tions to the familv ofthe deceased. Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford, Address of Mr, O'Donnell of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, the frequent assignment of days in which the course of business is suspended in the House of Ke])resenta- tives to pay tribute to the worth of departed members of the Fifty-second Congress who have gone to the silent continents of eternity furnish impressive lessons of the mutability of human affairs, the uncertainty of life, and the certainty of death. Since my service in this House many have been sum- moned from the activities of being to the stillness of the grave. What a roll of names that can make answer only from the silent depths of memory! In the present Congi-ess what a membership have gone to the solemn shades ! Since Michigan became a State five of its members in tliis House and two Senators have died in oflice. The latter were Kinsley S. Bingham, one of our early statesmen, who died in 1861, and Zachariah Chandler, the great war Senator, unex- pectedly taken from earth in 1879. Of the members of the House whose terms were closed by death were Edward Brad- ley, died in 1847, before taking his seat; Wilder D. Foster, who passed away in 1872; Alpheus S. Williams, summoned hence in 1878; Seth C. Moffatt, suddenly called in 1887; and the fifth and last of the list of Michigan's representatives released from duty by death was Melbourne H. Ford, whose memory we honor to-day, and who was numbered with the dead less than a year ago, April 20, 1891. Mr. Ford was born in Saline, Mich., June 30, 1849. My first acquaintance with him began in my own city, where he was employed as a clerk. I remember that the duties of the clerk- ship were performed ftiithfully and acceptably by the youth. When he had given up the humble position he departed, and (5 .Iddrcss of Mr. O" Dovucll, of Michigan, on the I did not meet him agiiiii iiiitil the winter of 1887 in this IFall, when he came to enter npon the dnties of a Rejjreseutative in till- rit'tieth (^)ngress. ^Tr. Ford eouimenced his edueation at the Agri(!ultural f 'ol- lege at Lansing, and while there received the appointment of naval (•aracticed that profession, liut served many courts in another capacity than that of advocate or coun- sel. He ranked among the most proficient of steiiogra])hers and enjoyed tiie work. He lield hut two elective positions, both legislative. In 18S4 he was chosen a nieinhcr of the lower house of the Michigan Legislature, being accredited to that branch by the great manufacturing city of the State. He soon gave evidence of decided ability, his service being so accept- able that he was rewarded in 1886 by an election to this House. During the term here he exhibited application and industry, aeeom))lishing much for his constituency and district. He sought l)ylaw to stay the tide of immigration of the unwortliy to (uir shores; to elevate American citizenship, and debar dan gerous elements coming here; to close the door to tlinse not fitted for our institutions. His design was misunderstood. He had reared a structure to protect his country. This was lev eled by those whom it was intended to assist, and in the ruins Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 7 was the political hope of the promoter of the legislation. He learned the instability of public opinion ; that it is ever chang- ing. He accepted the verdict with coinpo.sure. In the Legislature of Michigan the members of the political party with which he was identified paid him the compliment of making him their candidate for United States Senator. He retired from this House at the end of his term, disap- pointed at the lack of recognition on the part of the constituency whom he had desired to benefit. The interregnum between elections iiassed, and in 1S'.)0 he was again nominated for Con- gress, to share in the .astounding victories of his party in that year of surprising results. Public opinion that two years be- fore had, cast him down now triumphantly designated him again as a Representative in Congress. He stood once more in the sunshine of success. The lesson of public life is difficult to con by those whose philosophy is the welfare of others. The issue of that contest restored Mr. Ford to his place among the leaders of his party in the Peninsular State and he planned to serve his people more efficiently than before. In the brief period of forty-seven days after the begimuiig of his tenure as a member of the Fifty-second Congress he was .suddenly summoned from earth by death, the grim messenger striking the fatal blow without warning, (^n Sunday night, April 19, 18!>1, he sought repose, and in that strange and solemn interval of time, the twilight of the morning, in the violet dawn, he was stricken with the malady which in a few hours removed him from the scenes of earth. He never recov- ei-ed consciousness from the attack. He saw not the sorrow- ing wife and children and grieving friends about that couch of death, but (juietly stepped from the harassing cares of the present into tlie realm of eternal rest and peace. The 20th of last April was a day of sadness at Grand Rapids, his home. The wave of sorrow was felt all over Michi- 8 Address of Mr. O' Donnelly of Michigan^ on Ihc j>aii. At the fniieral the aifection of the jx^x^ple and tlnir mouriiinj? for his (hMiiisc were manifested in manyways. The Lefrislaturc of tlie State attended in a body, bnsiness was sus- pended, and as the renuiins lay in state at tlie City Hall, amid the rtoweis of awakeiiinj;' sprinj;-, thousands \vitli moist eyes looked njwu the pladd countenance of the dead. The heieavement was ex])ress(Hl so in{(s of woe, the quiet procession of bereaved friends and acquaint- ances, as I looked it seemed to me there was that strange re- flection of alight that nevci' was on land or sea touching and brightening the still features into a look of hope and peaceful joy. A great city's heart throbbed with grief that he was taken. The inanimate form was conveyed from its home on earth to its final home, followed by a great c tlm world \v«'r|iiii;;. wliili- all around tlu'e wore smil- ing, and thou leavfst tlir world sMiilin'4. wliili- all aliont tlice an- in tears. Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 9 Mr. FoKD lived uot cjiiite forty-two years. lu this limited period he accomplished much. In the swift pilgrimage ''from the rosy dawn of birth to death's sad night "' he wrought for others more than for himself. I knew him well during his service here, and soon discovered his strong convictions on public, questions, and his consistent advocacy thereof. This spirit distinguished him to the end of his too brief life. His tastes were social as well as literary, and those who knew him here were inspired with confidence and friendship. His work in this Capital won success, gained by ability, hdelity, and industry. Reflecting over the vanished life now passed on, let us remember, as was said by Lucretius centuries agone: Life is given to no one for a lasting i)ossessiou ; to all for use. ^Ir. Speaker, I have sketched the life and public service of our departed associate, how he labored for his people and the nation. His strong character, enlarged views, application, and native ability displayed while a member here brought him rec- ognition and prominence in the country. Those who noted that career as it developed in this Hall lament that he was too early summoned to the other world by death. In paying this tril)ute to my dead friend and colleague my mind recalls a solemn scene in this Chamber on February 29, 1888, when he spoke words of sorrowing regret over the death of another departed memlier from llic\iigan, Mr. Mofi'att, who, like the subject of our service today, had crossed the dark river and entered the portals of eternity. He, too, had been almost as suddenly summoned from life. We looked upon him one day well and strong, and in a few hours we saw on his lace the wondrous seal of everlasting peace. In ]\Ir. Ford's eulogy of imr dead colleague he uttered that gem imbedded in the language of every people, " say naught of the dead uii- 10 Address of Mr. O' Donnelly of Michigan^ on the less godtl." Ill that fitting address he foreshadowed liis belief in tlif future life in these words: That thoi'e is a lierinil'ter every man, it seems to me, must believe. I can not cnnceive hiiw auyoiio with hnmaii instincts can think otherwise. If thire exists a jieison who honestly believes that when his eyes are closed in death nothin-; riMiiains, then, I say, such a person is to be pitied. Can it be that at the conelusiossessed the contideiu'e and regard of his party, and in 18S9 they honored his courage aud ability by making him their candidate for United States Sen- ator. Butfewmen have climbed higher iu so short a tinu-. The characteristic of Mr. Ford's public career was perseverance, an inflexible pursuit of well-considered i)olicy. In the more inti- mate relations of life he was cheerful, uniforndy kind, and gen- erous. Uis friends were not only the prosperous, but there were many in the more humble condition of life who looked on him not only as their champion but their friend. His sun had not reached the meridian : in his early manhood, at his home in (iraiul Kapids, iu the forty-second year of his age. on April L'O, 1891, "he was, and then was not." Mr. Speaker, I have been impressed with that passage in Forster's Life of Goldsmith describing his funeral : ThiTe wrrc {jiithcivd in his rimms the most ut his country — the extent of which he fully comprehended, the importance of whose free institutions hatl a dwelling i)lace in his heart and an intelli- gent dwelling place in his head — that great country which he served with such distinction here, has been also a sufferer in this coninioii calamity. I know not how his last hours were .spent. I know noth- ing of those expressions concerning the future that have been commented upon by his colh^ague who first spoke [Mr. O'Don- iiellj. I'.ut if a man is to be judged, as we are given to hope he will bi- judged, by every good deed done in the body — and of this I have no doubt — his lot will be a hai)i)y one in the hereafter. A i)assage that has stnuk me as very forcible and Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 15 beautiful is that between lou aud Olemauthe, where she asked him, when devoted to death, trembling- before its uncertainties and moved by the sorrow of the coming separation, whether they would ever meet again. You remember that in substance he replied: I have :i8ko(l that dreailful question of the stars that are eternal, of the rivers that everlastiu^tly How, but tliey were all, all silent. But now, as I gaze into thy beautiful eyes and behold the depths of tliy ]iure soul. I know there is that there which can not wholly perish. We shall meet again. So, those who knew the honorable life of our departed friend, his intelligence, his soulful nature (if I may use that expres- sion), liis comprehension of every obligation that rested upon him, his high endowments in all those tliousaiid elements that go to make man the greatest of created beings, must hoi)e and feel that there was that there which can not wholly perish, and that we shall meet again. Address of Mr. Hayes, of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, it is not my intention to attempt to pronounce any eulogy in the ordinary sense of that term upon Mr. Ford, and even the perhaps necessary details upon these occasions may well be left to his State colleagues; but from the stand- point of personal friendship, and in viewof the high esteem and regard in which I held him and do hold his memory, I can not let the occasion pass without expressing my never-ceasing sor- row at his untimely death aud paying a tribute to his memory. We never met until we came together in the Fiftieth Con- gress, but, owing to the facts that we were born and reared in the same locality, were connected by many associations in Michigan's history, and had a host of mutual friends aud ac- quaintances, we soon came together and became the closest of 1 fi Address of Mr. ChipmaUy of Michigan, on the friends. AfttT sucli Irieiidship for over four years, I can well say of him that lii' was }i;«^iu'roHs to a fault, noblo in every ([uality and instinct, honorable always, and one of that rare class of men whose friendship never faltered. From a public standpoint he had not only brains, but the courage of his convictions, iudoniitablc will, ceaseless enerity. untiring industry, and with a suavity of manner and force and cloipUMice in speech that made him carry his points. This combination of good qualities made liis future a bright one foi- himself and full of promise to liis people. In his death his country, his State, his i)arty, and his con- stituency sutfered an irre|)arahle loss. Address of Mr. Chipman, of Michigan. Mr. .Speaker, a year ago at this time the news was tiasiied throughout the ytate of Michigan that tlie lion. Mklboi'RNE H. Ford was dead. It was unexi)ected, and iu that great Commonwealth it produced a painful shock; and soon at his •home, on tlie banks of the beautiful (Jrand Kiver, the people of the State gathered together from all sections, the high and the low, the rich and the poor, men in othcial positions and men from the humblest walks of life, and there, amid the wailing of funeral marches, the tears of sorrow, and the flowers of affection, they buried him. They left him in the kindly arras of Nature — to the sunlight and the breezes, to mother Karth herself. What manner of man was lie who was (consigned to the tomb on that day? He was alert; he was decisive; he was a man of correct thought and of correct methods in public affairs. He was a man of firm convictions; and it must be said to his credit, as it is to the credit of every man of whom it is true, Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 17 that he did not stop to determine whether those convictions were popular, but only as to whether they were riglit. And so it happened that in his younger life when he became a mem- ber of the house of representatives of the Michigan Legislature he distinguished himself by an effort to restore capital punish- ment ill that State. That effort I did not approve of; but as to the learning, the ability, and the zeal with which he pursued it, there can be no doubt. It attracted a great deal of attention to him, for the reason that in that great Commonwealth there is practically but one opinion on the subject, and it is that the taking of a life for a life is still murder. So that he bravely opposed him- self to the prevailing sentiment of the people and espoused a cause which he knew to be unpopular. This is true heroism in a public man ambitious of public preferment. Long before he came to this House he was a consistent tariff reformer. Living in a manufacturing district, and in a niauu facturing State, above all in a wool-producing State, he had the courage of his convictions, and never for an instant hesitated to pursue the path of tariff reduction to which his judgment impelled him. At that time, Mr. Speaker, his position on that question, as it had been upon other questions, was not a popu- lar one; but he clung to it bravely and steadfastly until he be- came a member of this House, when, as you kno\y, and as we all know, he still upheld the principle for which he was con- tending. During his membership of this House he became interested, as has been said here already, in the (piestion of immigration. The evils growing out of the coming of foreigners to our shores struck him, as they have struck others, as being of a most seri- ous nature, an* while I do not believe that he had any preju- dice against any man or any nationality, or any race who came among us, still he felt, and he ielt rightly, that this great couu- H. Mis. 98 2 18 Address of Mr. Chipmaii^ of Michigan, on the try sbould not be nuule the asyluni for th«' lialt. tlie lame, the blind, tlic vicious, and tlie criminal; in a word, of tiic classes which other nations desire to get rid of. I am sure he felt that the honest, the healthy immigrant was a welcome gue.st among us, and his arms were spread out to embrace every such man in the folds of American citizenshij). lint he had none of tlie mawivish sentimentality — an instance of wliicii has recently occurred in this House — whidi induced him tt) believe that there is any tie of brotherhood, that there is any claim of philanthropy, which demands of tlic liard- workfng people of this country that they shall share with everybody who chooses to come to us their means of subsist- ence, ami in this way diminish the wages of tiieir own labor and the comfort of flieir own homes. There is a wrong idea abroad on this .subject. We are tolil that we recently violated a treaty with China. Mr. FoRD felt, as I feel, that there is no ])owcr, that tliere can be no power, whether it is called the treaty-making power or other power, which will pernut foreigners in immense numbers to come into tliis country as mei-e denizens, as temporary sojourners among us, and pluck from our labming i)eople tlie appropriate rewards of their labor. The idea is monstrous. No treaty ever meant that. No treaty ever could mean that. And while it is i>erfcctly i)roper that the old law ma.xim lecognized by the common-law writers should prevail, .and be resjtected and enforced if necessary by treaties, there is no law, there can be no law. theic must be no law by which we share our crust with any and every person, and any and every nation, without regard to their intelligence, their morals, and effect of their presence upon the general tone ofnianliood in this country. He was unfortunate on that occasion, unfortunate jierhajis in having entered upon the investigation carried on by the com- Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 19 mittee which took his name, because it led to miscoustructiou and subjected liiiii to criticism which liis motives did not justify. He was unfortunate, too, in that the measure which lie brought into the House as the result of the investigation was not accept- able to the House; but iu the main, in his noble desire to i)ro- tect the workingmcu from improper and ruinous competition, he was right, and sooner or later he will receive the just meed of fame which belongs to being right upon a sixbjectof so great importance. It is among the mysteries, ]\Ir. Speaker, why a man should live to the age of promise and be taken from us when he was taken. It is inscrutable, and we wonder what has become of the knowledge he has garnered, of the subtle machinery of his brain, of all the forces which made him what he was, and it is only with the certainty that in nature there is no cause with- out an effect, that there is no mistake and no accident in any- thing which nature orders, that we may find the solution, if we can lind a solution, of that enigma. We may ponder on what might have been. We may wonder what would have been the setting of this sun which rose with so great bright- ness if it had run its course to the twilight hour. But after all this is mere vague speculation. We can know nothing, we can only hope. . And yet, Mr. Speaker, iu this sea- son of bud, of sunlight, of bloom and of balm, of resurrected nature, we are taught that death is but the portal of another chamber of life. There uuist be a hereafter. Careers of such promise, cut so short, would be a mistake in the plan of na- ture if there is not. This knowleilge garnered, these abilities so subtly fashioned, must have an expansion and a field some- where in the illimitable future. And so it is not given to us to know whether death is the enemy of man, or whether it is a ministering angel, bearing him to vaster opportunity and to greater usefulness. But I 20 Address of Air. Whitings of Michigan^ oii the liuiiibly liope, Mr. Speaker, tliat that grave by the side of the beautiful river is not the jmson house of our friend; tliathe has burst the earthly certMiients of that tomb, and that in that other state where eternal opportunity must be n'iven all nn'U the vir- tues whicli characterized him here have brighter, greater, hap- pier play, and that all that was earthly and all tliat was wionu ill his eiiaracter here droi)pcd from him ''like a worn- out letter wiiich his soul lias broke and thrown away." Happy will be the man who can shed the dross of passicm and earthly weakness and dwell in the realms of liojie beyond the firave, habited in manly virtue and nncloudcd intelligence. Address of Mr. Whiting, of Michigan, Mr. Sjieaker, words can but feebly convey to the iiieriibeis of this House the real sorrow and appreciation of loss whicli the sudden death of Mr. Foed brought, not alone to the people of Grand Rapids and his district, but to tlic jieople of tlie State at large. I believe that 1 speak within bounds when 1 say that a gen- eral sentiment prevailed throughout the State that he was the most promising young man in Micliigan. and that a Itriglit future full of usefulness and honor was before him. Tiiese facts, Mr. Speaker, intensify the sadness of his untimely death and remind us of the importance of the present iioni-. ^ly acquaintance with iiim was confined mostly to my asso ciations with him as liis colleague in the Fiftieth Congress. We often eoiisulted each other upon public matters, and I can now clearly recall the honest earnestness of his manner when gi%ing expression to his views, and his solicitude that a wi.se regard for all should govern his action. I recall his buoyancy of spirit, his fondness for public life, his ease and adaptability Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 21 to work assigued to him, and liis active participation in all that transpired upon this floor. I recall the tribute of confldeuce and love so recently and so generously bestowed upon him by the people of his district, and the pleasure that was in store for him and his cheerful, loving wife, in again renewing the many cordial and happy friendships of the two short years before, and so today am doubly saddened in contemplating the change. His mortal career ended, his life work done, and his friends sorrowing; bnt with it comes the reflection and consciousness that an All- wise God, not man, judges the frailties and the virtues of mortals, and that His Son has said : Inasmuch as jf ha\'e doue it uuto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it uuto Me. To his bereaved family we can give the assurance that we loved him, and appreciated his worth; and we can offer the consolation that his love and lidelity to his fellow-men, exem- lilified in all his public acts, will stand as a legacy greater, than riches and more valuable than length of days. Address of Mr. Weadock, of Michigan, Mr. Speaker, Napoleon said: "All of us are needed a little; none of ns are needed much." I might paraphrase this and say that each of us is needed but little in the great arena, of the world, but there is a circle in which each one is needed very much indeed. And in the wider assemblage of friends who mourn the departure of our deceased colleague there is a small family circle that can never be the same again. There is a widow, and there are orphans, who will miss as long as they stay on earth the kind and affectionate love and compan 22 Address of Mr. Weadock^ of Michigan^ on the ionship of the husband and father, and no tiopliy ot flowers, no studied eulogy, and no lionor that may be i)aid to our de- l»arted brother can ever atone for the h)ss wliicli iliey have sustained. Now, it is said of so nniny that tliey were born and they died. Unless more can be said of a man than that he was liorTi and died, it wei-e better that notliinj; siiould be said; but sueh is not the case of our departed eolleanue; anal courts of his own city also received his care and attention, and he succeeded in passing a bill which very largely added to their u.sefulness. Another law which he cham- pioned wasone to i)revent frivtdous ai)peals to thesuprenu^ court when the amount involved was less than $100. Throughout tlie State of Michigan there are a number of abstract officers, who charged large rates for the abstracts which they turnished concerning titles to land. He recognized that these abstracts of titles .should belong to the ])ublio, should be provided at pub- lic expense and furnisiie(l at cost to tlie peo]ile. To that meas- ure his earnest attention was given; it was anotlicr move in the direction of relief for the people whi;'.h they had a right to ex- l)ect and which it would have been a pleasure t-o him to achie\^e. That is another thing that among the nniny acts of his life endeared him to everyone who knew him. In this House I shall say but little with reference to his . S])inola. A bright young man from IS'ebraska, the late Representative Laird, a Michigan boy. who had gmu' IJfc and Character of Melboitrne H. Ford. 25 to the West and was returned here to represent his people, was one of his dear friends. Another bright and able gentleman, the very pink of courtesy-in this House, Gen. William H. F. Lee, was also one of his near neighbors on the floor of the House. The able leader of this House, iVIr. McMillin, has expressed himself so well in respect to the ability of Mr. Ford as a mem- ber of Congress that it would not become me to say anything further in that connection. In the campaign of 1888, when Mr. Ford was a candidate for reelection, he met i)erhaps the most terrific opi)osition that ever was arrayed against any candidate for Congress. TheMills bill had operated with particular severity against ^Michigan, and in the campaign of that year the jiersonal popularity of 3Ir. Ford and his personal following were not sufficient to stem the tide, and he was defeated, but in the succeeding cam- paign the same friends and the same following still stood by him, undismayed by the defeat, and he was elected a member of this body. In 1887 he was the candidate of his party for United States Senator against Hon. James McMillan, receiving every vote of his party, an honor which he greatly prized. His last polit- ical service was to act as secretary of the State convention of his party. Death came to him suddenly. He had spent the evening in communion with his family, and had retired to rest in his usual health; but before the next morning's sun arose, his lips were sealed forever. Here is one of the fatalities almost connected with the life of public men. They live at such a high tension, their energy seems taxed to the uttermost, so that when the death blow does come, it comes very suddenly. It came ':!0 to Adams, to Hendricks, to Chandler, to Windom, to Caroent-er, to Beck, and many other gentlemen whom I might name. 26 Address of Mr. Weadock^ of Michigan^ on Ihc Cicero said : 801110 men iii;iko a wcuiiaiiish complaint that it ih a j^rcat misfortiiue to dii' bi'lViiT (iiir time. 1 wonld ask what tiiuo? Is it that of natnrc? Hnt slu' inilciMl lias lent ns lil'c as we ilo a sum of money, only no oeitain day is tixi-d for payment. What reason tlien to complain if she deinuiidti it at pleasure sinee it was on this eondition that you reeeived it. It may l)t> well for u.s to rt'iuciiiber it, for it may come to us just as suddenly as it came to liim; and we sliould be able to say with Hamlet, before the duel with Laertes: If il lie now. 'tis not to come; if it lie nut to come, it will lie now; if it be not now, yet it will comc>; the readiness is all. And .so let us say of iiini as he said of another, Hon. Seth C. Mottatt, a former ineniher of this House from the Stati' of Michiffan: His uuMuory will not die. The fiiends who loved him in life will revere his memory in death: the aet.s of his life will be Judjicd with clearer judgment than they could possibly have been in life. Let me say, in conclusion, as was said by him in liis conclu- sion of his eulogy of Mr. Mottatt: Our friend will not be forgotten. His friends will ever keep his mem- ory fresh in their hearts. And when the i;lorious summer comes and the gra.ss f;rows f^reen and beautiful and the Michij;an roses blossom on his {{rave, although his lips will be hushed in death, yet the tender blades and the perfume of the (lowers will speak of him, and to those who knew him best will seem to say, "Beneath here sleeps one who was kind and noble and true." We can say this with all sincerity and truth of oui- departed colleague. It is a pleasing thing to know that he believed in the future. There is a remedy for all the dissijijiointments of this life in the belief in immortality, and that the higher life of man is extended beyond tliis e:irth. And we can siiy of him who has solved the great mystery of life that we join with Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 27 him ill his belief iii iminortality, and we hope that he has gone to a better land, to that abode — Where love hath put oft' iu the laud of its birth The staiu it had gathered iu this; Aud hope, the sweet singer, that gladdened the earth Lies asleep iu the bosom of bliss. Address of Mr. Belknap, of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, we have set apart this day, according to a cus- tom that has prevailed from time immemorial in the House when one of our members has been removed by death, that the surviving members may pay just and proper tribute to the dead. ^Melbourne H. Ford, at the time of his death, was a resi- dent of the city of Grand Rapids, Mich. Born iu Saline, Mich., June 30, 1849; was educated at the Michigan Agricultural College, and at the United States N^aval Academy at Annap- olis, Md. He served in the Navy, enlistiug there as an appren- tice September 10, 1804, and served on the Sabine and the Colorado, and was discharged May 7, 1867. He was then ap- prenticed a cadet at the Naval Academy June 21, 18G7, and resigned on the 8th day of January, 1808. Returning to the State of Michigan, he became official stenographer to several of the courts, meantime studying law. He was in the year 1878 admitted to the bar, but did not practice law until a short time before his death, but continued the profes.sion of stenography. In the year 1885 he was elected a member of the State Legislature for the term of two years, and was then elected a niember of the Fiftieth Congress, and iu that Congress served with iidelity upon the Committees on Territories and on Military Aftairs, and as chairman of the 28 Address of Mr. /hi knap, of Michigan, on the Select Committee on Contract Labor. This coiiimittec was created to iiuiuire into the viohitioiis of tlie hnvs pnthibitiiig the importation of contract hvborers, and it was in this work that he attained i)r((minenee. The character of the immigration from all the countries of I'^urope to this country had liccome one of universal com- ment. Tiie cities of the country, botii East and AVcst, wen- being rapidly filled with paupers and criminal classes of the countries of the Old World, becoming an unbearable burden \\\w\\ the people of our land. They tilled the charitable insti- tutions of the different communities. The prisons were full of them, and the costly machinery of the courts rajndly became a burden too heavy for the taxpayers to bear. And nut only were the cities infested with this undesirable class of beings, but the country districts were becoming unsafe on account of the tramps who roamed about robbing and often murdering the defenseless people. It was a well-known fact that European governments by an organized system were sending their criminals to this country, and not only the criminals, but the idiotic and insane as well. The ship that came freighted witli a thousand hone.st people would also contain a hundred others who at their very tirst ste]! upon our shores became a burden and a nuMutce to our in- stitutions. Of this class many came here witli no other design and having no other object in view. It was this threatening cloud, this plague, that seemed to be surely undermining the jjcople of cnir own country that brought ]\Ir. Foud's energy to the relief of tlie Commonwealth, t^uick to perceive the danger, he juit the wheels in motion that are still turning. Starting slowly at first, like the wheels of a large engine, they have gained in sjteed day by day until it seems the problem wliether our own peojile are to be enabled to enjoy this grand country is nearly solved. Life and Character of McUnmrnc H. Ford. '2!> Laws aud rules have grown out of tliis ayitatiou, this iuves- tigatioii, so that at tlie present time many of the undesirable classes are prevented from disgracing our soil by their pres- ence. 7 Tis sad that Mr. Ford could not have lived to see the results of his work, to see the promise of the day when the ship coming to our shores with a thousand souls shall contain but law-abiding and self-sustaining people. He expressed a true statement, and one in the interest of all patriotic people, when he said that immigration should be controlled by the General Government, aud not by any one State. That tin- subject of immigration was one that affected all our people and was a fit subject for Federal control. He was defeated for reelection in the Fifty-first Congress, and two years later was elected to the Fifty-second Congress, but was suddenly stricken and died at his residence in the city that delighted to honor him, on the 20th day of April, IS!)!. Never did people feel more keenly the loss of one of their own than did tlie people of the Fifth Congressional dis- trict of Michigan. He was to them a brother. They had found in him a friend whose heart overflowed with generosity. His friends love to think of him and his genial ways. Those nearest to him will never lose \\\Q sad pleasures which come from the lecoUection of scenes brightened by the sunny side of nature he always presented. I'ersonal characteristics drew friends to Mr. Fokd ; his individuality kept that friendship. It was with deep sorrow and regret that the people cf our State heard of the death of my friend aud predecessor, and to- day the hearts of the people of the State are full of sorrow and synipathy for the bereaved widow and children, whose hus- band and father was cut down in the vigor of his manhood and in the midst of his activity and usefulness. His death is 30 Address of Mr. Belknap^ of Michigan, on the deci)ly deplored by his coustituents and by the State which he reineseiited in pait with iiiiiloiil)ted ability as a inemlicr of this House. But lie is j^oiie, .Mr. .Speaker, and how soon we will follow none of us kuow. To all appearances one day before his death Mr. Ford ini};lit eonnt upon a most enviable future public life. He had an ad- miring, un(|uestioning constituency; he had laid broad and deei) tiie foundation for wide influence in the State. To the ordinary \ie\v few iiifii had better promise ot' a far-reaching political career, but no man, Mr. Speaker, with whatever eagle eye he may have at the ocean of the future, can tell when his voyage may be interrupted. He of whom wc si)eak to-day was suddenly taken from his hij;li vantage ground, and in what we call his untimely eclipse went out whatever there njjglit have been for him otherwise of glory and honor to conu'. If he had a fault it was diu' to his generous nature, liiswai heart. He studied to please men, not to displease them. He often wronged himself in an eltort to satisfy those, wl called for his assistance. Wiien a man has been standing for many years in the tierce storms and lights of political contro- versy it is generally forgotten that he has any individuality, private life, or character, excei)t such as lias been imposed upon him l)y jHilitical allii-s or oijptments. But in the rough- and tumble battle of i)olitics ami servitude to the i)eoi)h' his most pleasing trait was his social, genial manner. Always cheerful ami humorous, he tried to strew the jiathway of his friends with tiowers. The l)est i)ortions of a man's life are the Ifttle unnumbered acts of kindness and charity that om' tinds opi)ort unity to bestow every day in the eour.se of iictive life. Some men tire out, some men wear out, as the days fly and the years pass by; some men go backward, ov niop behind in the race of life; some grow dull and prosy as tiicy grow in years, while others grow youug iu action and in heart as the battles of life by day m lO Life and Character of Melbourne II. Ford. 31 and moutli are met. But an intelligent people will never willingly let die tlie deeds, the kind acts, and the good words of an honest man. Wheu a num's days are numbered there comes after his death a judgment. Nature and sotaety pass in a kind, yet in a just, survey upon eaeh completed life. However, in this world we live in deeds, not years; we live in thoughts, not l)reaths; in feelings, not figures. He lives most who thinks most. He who acts the best feels the noblest. Our deceased friend counted life by the heart throbs, and not by the measured standard of months aTid years. To all appearance he had just reached the sum- mit of his strength. He seemed (^(luipped to undertake labo- rious tasks; never so well fitted to serve his constituents and his country. He did not perceive the enemy that was watch- ing his every step and his every hour of life. To him the end seemed far distant. He thought to see the sun go down in the evening, the flowers to wither in the fall, the river to be fro- zen iu the winter; not that the sun should go down at noon, and the flowers wither in the summer, and the stream of life frozen before the chill of old age. Mr. Speaker, life is a golden ship, with sails of angels' wings. It comes to the shore freighted with an assorted load for mail to select from. Youth going for the gifts may select roses with thorns, or the flowers of the fields, fragrant and sweet. He may select jewels, rare and precious, or he may load himself down with the baser metals, that will burden him through all his days on earth. Who is to guide the untrained hand that reaches for a share of the precious load? Someone has said that life is a casket of jewels, and that God holds the key. If this be true, and I believe it is, then God often un- locks the casket and gives to mankind many rare jewels. Not gifts to be kept and worn for all time, but gifts for a day, to adorn and light the paths of the universe. 32 Address of Mr. Belknap, of Michigan, on the The one day of lifi' giveu to the insect of the air is a life of activity. 'V\w life of a season, or a brief year of a plant or flower of the licld oi' forest, is a life of frajiranee anil useful- ness to all uiaukiud. Tiie life of the birds of the air, brief in years, is a life of song, of love foi' its young, and of thank fulness to its Creator for the breath of life it is iierniitted to have. The life of man is also but a span, hut a brief atf»m of time; but he who makes the most of that brief spaee lives the most, aud best returns to his Creator renumeration for the jewels out of the great and beautiful ship of life. O Death! Hadst thou but spared the life that we this day lament. The sunset splendors, ladod now :ind ilcad; So liuvc \vr seen flu- liii]ii's of youtli di'i'.ay ; Oil, ruddy rose, tliat I'rst did blush so red I Tliou, too, didst have too brit'l' a aummer'a day. • The thought, Mr. Sjieaker, leads me baek to the day when he was a youth, and set out to hew his way to a place among men ; and thus do I sec him : The sun had set. Then lieanied the evening star lieyoud the erags. The eveuinj; wind siftlied like a wearied ehild, Aud ni^ht f<'ll liki' a mist upon the earth, lie sank to sleep; liel'ori' him in his dreams Three radiant tonus iu luuonlit beauty stood. TjOVe, I'ortnue. I'auu:, were they; the tliri'e most fair His eyes liad ever seen, or thought to see. As, on the Mount of Ida years ajjo, Three goddesses in jjodtless beauty stood, ()lyui]iiaii iu loveliness and jiiraee, And b.ade the shepherd make his choice The while they bribed him enviously vrith gifts. .So stooil those railiaut forms upim the nu)uut, Aud while till' moonbeams tremliled ou the steep, As olt iu ancient times on l.atmos' heif^hts They trembled ou r.ndynnou's snowy brow, Addressed him as he lay iu sleep. Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 33 First Fdrtuuc spoki': "O. youth, chooso me," she cried; "I know where ^olfl is hid, whose siiiiiiy shine Is loved by all men more than they can tell. I know where gems await my favorite; Pure, lucent diamonds, glittcriuj; like stars. Imperial ruliies, red as blood. And all the lesser jewels, which to name Were tedious task." Then Love, blushing like the dawn. Addressed him words caressingly : "Choose me," she said, '-and happiness that lasts Long as the constant stars shall be thy lot. Sweet courtesy that makes one's life worth while, That adds a grace to kings, and makes the serf A mate for kings, shall brighten all thy days." Then Fame took up the word, and with a smile: "Choose Fortune, child?" she said; "she hath wings, And flies away as lightly as she comes ; And if she stay, what profit doth she bring? She gives no honor : 'tis gold that wins when Fortune takes her flight. Now tell me, pray, Where be those cringing things of parasites That fatten on a lordling's store? Flown like a vulture when their feast is doni'. And as for Love, I grant you she is fair; So are the sunset days that fade to gray; So is the wild rose that must wither sor>u; So is the pebble shining in the stream: Love is a dream, my child, a titful dream." "O Fame! " he cried, '•! choose thee; thou art best." And tlum he awoke. Pale star-shine on the crags. And tli.at was all. Such was the dream. He climbed adown the mountain side. Unto the shores of the roaring sea, Great billows with majestic onrush swept Like a coni|uering army to the hostile shore. Within a sheltered cove a pinnace lay, Ei[uipj)ed for sea. and lifting \\y her chain He stepped aboard and set sail. All day he sailed and fainter grew the laud; Night came, and one by one along the coast The light-house 1)eacons flashed their messages, Then one by one faded from bis sight. H. Mis. 98 3 34 Address of Mr. Belknap^ of Michigan. So Villi' anil forest, iiiouiit:iiii side and sea, Weil' traversed in a hopeless search for fame, Whose form appeared not, save in lli'ctin}; dreams. When, after ealnis and storms upon the main His vo.vape had reaehed tlie ocean's utmost hound, Upon the shore he met an aged man, To him tohl the story of his seareh. "f>, joutli," the aj;ed man hiw-voieed replied, "There is one more nolde than the • mystic three.' Thoni;h fair is I'ortune with hiT yellow .nohl ; Tlion};h sweet is I.ove if she hi' true; Thou;;h };rand is Fame, and el(i(|Meiit her voice; Kami', Fortune, Love, less nohh' all than one Whose name is lluty. Serve her day liy day, And happy if with chastenc, hite a Representative from the State of Mich- igan: Therefore, Resolved, That as a mark of r*-spect to his memory the House do now ad- journ. Hesolced, That the CUnk be directed to eouimunicate this action to the Senate. Mr. :McMillan. Mr. President, I oft'er the resolutions which I send to the desk and ask for their adoption. I give notice that I shall on some suitable occasion in the future ask the Senate to pause in its business to pay fitting tribute to the life and public services of my late colleague. The Vice-President. The resolutions submitted by the Senator from Michigan will be read. The Secretary read the resolutions, as follows: Resolved, That the Senate has heard witli deep sensibility the announce- ment of the death of Hon. Mklbolrne H. Ford, late a Representative from the State of Michifjan. Resolved, That the Secr<^tary communicate this resolution to the House of Representatives. 36 Proccediugs in ilu- Scuatc. The Vice-Peesidknt. The question is on agreeiug to the rcsdhitioiis. The resohitiniis were afireod to iiiiiininiously. ]Mi'. ]M('MiLLAN. As ii fiutlier iiiaik of resjicrt to tlic mem- oiy of the deceased, 1 move that tlic Senate do imw atljouin. The motion was agreed to; and (at 1 oV.lock and 17 minutes p. m.) tlie Senate adjourned until tomorrow, AVeduesday, December 2;5, 18!tl, at 12 (("clock meridian. I''E15RUARY 4, 1.S03. Mr. Stockhridge." I ask that the message from the Ilcmse of l{ei>resentatives announcing the death of Hon. IMelhoirxe 11. FoRU may be laid before the Senate. The PRESii)iN(f Officer. Tlie message will be read. The Secretary I'catl as follows : Ix THR House m' Kkpheskntatives, AprW !), 1S92. Urimlrcd, That tin- luisiiioas of tlio House 1)0 now suspeiideil. that oppor- tunity may lie fjiveu for tiihutes to the memory <(f tlie Hon. XIei.hoCKXK H. l"()ca>, late a Hepresentativo frcmi the State of Michigan. liVKolicd, That as a i)articular mark of respeet to the memory of the de- ce!i.se the desk. The Presiding Ofkk'eu. Tlie resolutions will be rettd. The Secretary read as follow.s : liiKiibid, That the Si'iiate reeeives with sincere rejjret the announcement of the death of the Hon. MKl.noiitNK H. Ki>ia>. lati- ;i memlier of the House of Ko|ireseiitatives froiri the State of .\lii'hij;aii, and tenders to the family of the deceased the assurance of their sympathy with them undi-r the liereaveincnt they have lioen calli-d upon to sustain. llfKolrvil, That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to transmit to the family of Mr. r a ccrtilied copy of the foregoing resolution. Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 37 ADDRESS OF Mr. STOCKBRIDGE, OF MICHIGAN. Mr. President, in the full tinsb of early ])rime, at tbe begin- ning of what would have been a great career, and just after a remarkable demonstration of the confidence reposed in him by the i)e()])le of his State and district, Hon. Melbottrne Haddock Ford, Representative in Congress from the Fifth district of Michigan, was called from this earth. It has fallen to the lot of but few of the many distinguished men whom Michigan has sent to represent her in the Congress of the United States to acquire such great and genuine popu- larity with the masses of her people as that which was awarded to the late Eepresentative Ford. His career was short, but successful almost beyond precedent in the State's political history. His death was sudden, but painless. His funeral was an ovation to his memory. It was my pleasure to be long and well acquainted with fhe deceased Eepresentative. Although we were not of the same ]>olitical faith, and his signal and repeated successes were dis- advantageous to the political organization of my association, I shared in the general pride with which the people of Michi- gan observed his steady advance to national distinction. Mr. Ford was a native of the State he afterward honored in public life and in whose service he died. He was V)orn at Saline, Washtenaw County, Mich., June 30, 1849. It is un- necessary to give the details of his youth or his younger man- hood. In his boyhood he hail the hard labor and practical experience incident to farm life. Afterward his parents re- moved to Lansing, the capital of our State, and he was edu- cated at the Agricultural College, located there. He enlisted in the naval service of the country during the 38 Address of Mr. S/oc/chridi^i\ of Michigan^ on the war, and served with fjallaiifiy for soiiictliiii;,^ over a year. After liis return to liis lioine in Lansini;- lie was appointed, through the favor of the lamented Hon. John \V. Longyear, of Michigan, long a distinguislied Itei)reseutative in Congress, to a p(»siti(tn as cadet in the Naval Academy at Annapolis. An allection of the eyes prevented a conii»lction of his eour.se at this institution, and undoubtedly changed his sub.sequeut career. Returning to ^fieliigan he was some time engaged as a drug- gist in the city of Cluirlotte, but soon afterward he turned his attention to the profession of piionogiaphy. He grew to bean exjiert and one of the most successful shorthand writers in this country. He was long engaged as stenographer in the higher courts of western IMichigan. At the same time he studied law, was admitted to the bar, and acquired some prominence as an active practitioner. He was the author of "Ford's Legal Aualy- sis," a small but staiulard legal work. After he had entered political life he retired from the stenographic iiraetice and was an active attorney at law. At the time of his death he was a member of the well known (Jrand Rapids law firm of M. 'Garry \- Ford. 3Ir. Ford was always ijojiular in thetnteriirising city which he afterward represented in Congress. He was in many respects tyjiical ol that remarkalile, bustling, energetic, and prosperous city. His entry into political life was almost accidental, and his remarkable success in the public service was achieved with- out original intention or preparation for it. He was always an active UKMuber of the Democratic party, and was in the fall of 1S,S4 <'iiairnuin of a city couvention to nominate candidates for the legislature. To his surprise, he was nominated by acclamation as the first choice (»f the convention, and was hamlsnmely elected. It did uot take Mr. Ford long to establish his position as a leader in Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 39 the Lesislatiiro.. His party was in the miuority, but it is no discredit to his associates of the majority to say that he was a genuine leader from the first day of the session. He entered upon his duties with honesty and energy and carried them out with enthusiasm aud ability. He was identified most promi- nently in this session of the Legislature with an effort for the restoration of capital puiushment in Michigan. Capital punishment had been unpopular for a long time, aud efforts for its restoration had theretofore been overwhelmingly defeated, but Mr. Foud's effort was responsible for a great alteration in public sentiment, and while his bill did not become a law, he pressed it with such vigor that from that time there has been a very material and recognized change in public opin- ion upon the subject. Mr. Ford's experience and prominence acquired in the Legislature led to his being early discussed as a candidate for Congress in the fall of 1886. Although his district went Republican on the general ticket that year, Mr. Ford was elected to Congress by a very comfortable plurality. Mr. Ford's service begau with the Fiftieth Congress, be- fore the close of the first half of his term he had taken a very prominent rank in the House of Eepresentatives. He had been originally appointed on some of the most impoitant com- mittees of that body, and was early in his service placed at the head of a special committee of the House to investigate the question of immigration, to which he had given much attention for several years. This committee visited important cities in all parts of the country, acquired a mass of useful information, and made a complete aud satisfactory report to the House. His work on this committee and his efforts generally in Congress rendered him very popular in his district. He was renoniinated for the Fifty first 'Congress. In the election which followed the Republican party swept the district and Mr. Ford was beaten 40 Address of Mr. S/oci-dridge, of Michigan, on the by a very large majority, but his coiitinued ixijiularity was demoustratfd by the lUit that he ran very tar aliead of liis ticket. His defeat seemed only to emiihasize his popularity ami to j;ivc liiin i-eiiewcil iiroiiiiiiciicc in liis party. When the Legislature met, in the ensuing January, to ele(!t a succcjssor to Hon. Thomas W. Palmer, in this body, Mr. Melhouene Haddock Fobd received the complimentary vote of all of tlie Democratic membfers of both houses of the Legis- lature for that position. In midsummer of 1890 ^Ir. Ford was made chairman of the Democratic .State Convention held in the city of Grand liapids, which nominated the tirst successful State ticket of that party in the period of thirty-seveu years. Tjater in the year he was, for a thiid time, nonunated by ac- clamation for Congress. Notwithstanding his defeat of two years before, he entered the campaign with great vigor and spirit, and the popular confidence in him was once again dem- onstrated by his overwhelming return as a Representative- elect in the Fifty-second Congress. His position now seemed to be secure. It was believed by his partisans and friends that he was now to enter ujion a continuous and successful career in the House of Representatives. He began faithfully pre- paring himself for this work of his. In the spring of isiil lie was chairman of the committee on resolutions of the Democratic State Convention. This was his last public service. On the 14th day of Ajjril, 1891, the people of Orand Rapids and of the State of Michigan were univer- sally shocked at the news of his sudden and altogether nnex pected death. He passed away at the early age of 41, having achieved unusual success and having come to a position of foremost prominence in the affairs of his ( 'ommonwtaltli. Mr. FOKD was generous, gallant, and chivalric'. lie was brilliant, brave, a:id patriotii-. In publico life he lumond the Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 41 State wliii'li lionoreil him. His loss was keenly felt by the peo- ple of bis eity, by his friends everywhere in Michigan, and by his colleagues in the Congress of the United States, who had hoped to renew the ac(iuaintance and enjoy the society of this able, energetic, honest, and conscientious man. All that was mortal of our late ass(jciate lies in a beautiful grove dedicated to the dead, in the midst of that hive of life and industry, the city of Grand Rapids. But we have abso- lute faith in the divine assurance that we may hope that such men do not fail to live again. Serene confidence in the future life was a characteristic of our dead friend. The first remarks tliat he ever made in Congress were upon an occasion like this, when the House of Representatives paid tribute to one of his dead associates fi-om our State. His ex- pressions of hope and confidence in the continued life of that dead colleague have a sweet savor to us now, for in his words we can ouiselves express the faith that he will live again. Sooner or later — He said — the Angel of Death comes to us all. That there Is a hereafter every man, it seems to me, nmst believe. I can not conceive how anyone with human instincts can think otherwise. If there exists a person who hon- estly believes that when his eyes are closed in deatli nothing remains, such a person is to be pitied. Wlien dust is rendered into dust is all ended? No; I have something here in my innermost soul which tells me that this life is not the end ; that beyond all this we have a wi. He lirmly and IxJdly advocated the doctrines which commanded his loyal convictions. The iieo])lediscoveied ill him the staunch, true, leailer; and now triumphing upon Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 45 the field that he had lost, he was reelected a member of the Fifty-second Congress of the United States. Well, might vre apply to him the warrior's boast : Call me not slmmeil who am Imt overthrown; Thiowii have 1 been, not once but many a time. Victor from vanquished issues at the last, And overthrower from being overthrown. Before that Congress assembled the victor was dead npon his shield. This I observed in Mr. Ford wliile he was in the public service here. He was full of push and energy, and grasped his duties with a comprehending mind and a firm, industrious hand. He seemed tireless in his efforts to press to success the measures confided to his care. I saw him on his appearance before committees and in his tasks upon the rioor of the House. I realized that there was a man in earnest, no trifler with tilings he had to deal with, a spirit resolute and restless, determined to do or die. ' I shall not prolong this poor and imperfect tribute save to add this thought: Mr. Ford belonged to that class of thought- ful, courageous, industrious men — well informed, justly am- bitious, with high ideals and patriotic jturposes, who correctly interpret the genius of this day and generation, and who are destined to lead and mold it. The freshness of youth was in his mind and heart. He bore upon his soul no burdens from the past which so lacerated it as to impair its generous impulses; and he entertained no preju- dices which belittled his stature, clouded his reason, or im- peded liis pathway. Had he lived his career would have shed larger honor upon the State which gave him to the service of the nation, and grown into greater brightness around his name. Cut off even as he ripened for the great tasks that kindled 4t) Address of Mr. McMillan., of Michigan., on the Ills {jeiii'is and his ainbitioii, we can but how to the wisdom and jtower of our Maker who has so decreed anil say, "Tliy will be done." Yet we take to heart the lesson that is left to enrich our annals in the life of this noble young American statesman, who followed his faith with fidelity, who did ids deed with courage, and who now released from labor, sleeps well. ADDRESS OF Mr. McMillan, of Michigan. Mr. President, at tlic capital of the nation and in the lialls of Congress more than anywhere else the fact of man's mor- tality is impressed ui)on tlie mind. Seemingly few and brief are the intervals when from all tlie public buildings and from the doors of both the House and tlic Senate the black badge of m<»urning is absent. Today the SiMiate has been called to pay its tribute of respect to tlic memory of a young man, a man who was apparently just entering on a career of large u.sefulness to his State and nation. Trained at the Naval Academy for service in the great struggle, the war was ended before he could see active duty. The return of peace led Mr. Ford to seek success in civil life. Ilis brightness and industry are suHicieiitly indicated when it is said that he attained a liigh reputation in the ditli cult and laborious profession of st<'nograi)hy. His i)opularity led to his election as a member of the Michigan State Legisla- ture, and his service there was of .so satisfactoi-y a character as to lead the people of the Fifth district, which includes the great manufacturing and commercial city of Grand liapids, to senil him to the Hou.>*e of Representatives. During his first term in that body he attracted the atten- ticm of the country to his work in investigating tlie subject of Life and Character of Melbourne II. Ford. 47 ijiimigration. Defeated tor lei-krtioii, after an interval of two years lie was again elected to Congress, but died before lie could take liis seat. The esteem in wliieli he was held by his own party throughout the State was shown by the fact that four years ago he was the caucus nominee of the Democratic members of the Legislature for the oflQce of United States Senator. Such in brief is the record of a man who had crowded into the forty-two years of his life experiences remarkably varied. The death of such a man is a loss to his State, and in Mich- igan the mourning for liim was widespread. In the beautiful city of Grand Eapids, where Mr. Ford made his home, the grief was deep and sincere. It is fitting, therefore, that the Senate put on record its ap- preciation of Mr. Ford's services in behalf of his State and his country ; and although my own personal acquaintance with him was slight, I appreciate the opportunity to pay this tribute to the worth of one whose reputation is a source of ride to every citizen of Michigan. Mr. President, I move the adoption of the resolutions. The resolutions were unanimously agTeed to. r lBJa'12 fcl LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 785 424 7