ar of President
Grant's Administration he was a member of the Cabinet as Secretary of
War, in which position he showed the same executive power that had
characterized the prompt and orderly dispatch of his private business.

--A fortnight after the meeting of Congress the Senate sustained a deep
loss in the death of Oliver P. Morton. He died at his home in Indiana
on the 1st day of November (1877). He had for several years been in
ill health, but struggled with great nerve against the advances of
disease. Few men could have resisted so long and so bravely. An
iron will sustained him and enabled him through years of suffering to
assume a leading part in the legislation of the country and in
directing the policy of the Republican party.

Governor Morton was succeeded by Daniel W. Voorhees, already widely
known by his service of ten years in the House. Mr. Voorhees was a
Democrat of the most pronounced partisan type, but always secured the
personal good will of his political opponents in Congress.

--M. C. Butler of South Carolina entered the Senate on the 2d of
December, 1877. He had been engaged in all the partisan contests by
which the Republican party was overthrown in South Carolina, and
encountered much prejudice when he first took his seat; but his
bearing in the Senate rapidly disarmed personal hostility, and even
gave to him a certain degree of popularity upon the Republican side
of the chamber.

The House was organized at an extra session called by the President
on the 15th of October, 1877. The failure of the Army Appropriation
Bill at the preceding session rendered this early meeting of Congress
necessary. Samuel J. Randall was re-elected Speaker, receiving 149
votes; his Republican competitor, James A. Garfield, receiving 132.
Among the new members of the House were some men who were afterwards
advanced to great prominence.--Thomas B. Reed of Maine came from the
Portland district. He had been a member of the Bar some twelve years,
had rapidly risen in rank, had served in the State Legislature two
terms, and had been Attorney-General of his State for three years. He
was a strong man in his profession, and had an admirable talent for
parliamentary service. His promotion was not more rapid than his
ability justified and his friends expected.--The Massachusetts
delegation received a strong reinforcement in several new members.
George D. Robinson was a conspicuous figure. He developed great
readine