CHARLES E, LITTLEFIELD

Charles E. Littlefield was born in Lebanon, York county, Maine, in 1851. His father was the Rev. W. H. Littlefield, a minister of the Baptist Church, a gentleman of broad culture as well as a marked bent for mechanics. The son, after a high school education, was put to work at the carpenter's bench. From carpentry he graduated into the pattern shop of a granite company, and among other things helped to prepare and box the stone for the State, War and Navy Department building in Washington. From his wages he saved enough to enter a law office in Rockland and study for the bar, and his work was so thorough that he passed the best examination of any applicant for admission in the history of Knox county.

Settling in Rockland, his present home, Mr. Littlefield opened a law office, and it was not long before his worth became generally known and practice came to him rapidly. His eloquence and the force of his logic made him a striking figure in the courtroom. His professional ability naturally drew him into the political field. He became a member of the city council, then a member of the Republican county committee, and next of the Republican State committee. He was elected county attorney in spite of a normal Democratic majority, and in 1885 was elected to the Legislature, then re-elected and chosen speaker during his second term. Two years later he was chosen Attorney General by the people and, with the exception of Thomas B. Reed, he was the youngest man who ever held that office in Maine.

Mr. Littlefield's first public service was in the Maine Legislature, where he interested himself successfully in several measures for improving the condition of the working people, regulating the hours of labor, and extending the protection of the law over children employed in factories.

Mr. Littlefield is regarded by all not only as a worthy successor to the late Nelson Dingley, but as a man who will uphold the reputation of the State of Blaine and Reed in the House of Representatives. His speech in the case of Roberts of Utah and his outspoken opposition to the Porto Rico tariff bill have placed him conspicuously in the public eye and have called forth the opinions of the critics in the House as to his capacity and his promise. That he has become an influence which must be reckoned with nobody seems inclined to gainsay.

WILLIAM BOYD ALLISON

William Boyd Allison, of Dubuque, was born in Perry, Ohio, March 2, 1829. His father was a farmer and the future Senator lived the life of the ordinary country boy, working on the farm three-fourths of the year and attending the district school in winter. His substantial education was acquired at Alleghany College, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and at the Western Reserve College, in Hudson, Ohio. He studied law at Wooster, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He practiced law in Ashland, Ohio, and in 1857 moved to Dubuque, Iowa.

In

He at once became interested in Iowa politics. He had known Samuel J. Kirkwood in Ohio and naturally became an adherent to the man since known in Iowa as the War Governor. Mr. Allison was a delegate to the State Convention which nominated Mr. Kirkwood in 1859. 1860 he was honored by being sent as a delegate to the National Republican Convention, the Convention which nominated Abraham Lincoln. When Lincoln issued his second call for troops, Governor Kirkwood placed Mr. Allison on the staff with the rank of colonel and gave him authority to raise regiments in Northwestern Iowa, and to equip them for service in the field. He raised in all four regiments.

Mr. Allison was elected to Congress in 1862 and served four terms, retiring in 1871. He first took his seat in the House on March 3, 1863 James G. Blaine and James A. Garfield took their seats in the same House for the first time. Mr. Allison was prominent on the Ways and Means Committee while he served in the House and declined a re-election in 1870. Two years later he was chosen to succeed James Harlan in the United States Senate, taking his seat March 4, 1873. He has been reelected four times since and his term of service of thirty years as a Senator will expire in 1903.

Mr. Allison's most conspicuous service has been in connection with financial legislation. For years he has been recognized as one of the highest authorities on finance and of late perhaps the strongest and most influential member of the Senate. Mr. Allison was twice tendered a seat in the Cabinet, first by President Garfield and next by President Harrison, each time declining the honor and remaining a Senator. On two occasions he has been a prominent candidate before the Republican National Convention for the Presidential nomination.