ese measures came from the committee of ways and means. The
members of that committee were Messrs. John Sherman, of Ohio, Henry
Winter Davis, of Maryland, John S. Phelps, of Missouri, Thaddeus
Stevens, of Pennsylvania, Israel Washburn, Jr., of Maine, John S.
Millson, of Virginia, Justin S. Morrill, of Vermont, Martin J.
Crawford, of Georgia, and Elbridge G. Spaulding, of New York. Of
these but two, Mr. Morrill and myself, survive. A brief notice of
those who are numbered with the dead may not be out of place.

Henry Winter Davis was the most accomplished orator in the House
while he was a Member. Well educated in college, well trained as
a lawyer, an accomplished writer and eloquent speaker, yet he was
a poor parliamentarian, a careless member in committee, and utterly
unfit to conduct an appropriation or tariff bill in the House. He
was impatient of details, querulous when questioned or interrupted,
but in social life and in intercourse with his fellow Members he
was genial, kind and courteous. On one occasion, when I was called
home, I requested him to take charge of an appropriation bill and
secure its passage. He did as I requested, but he was soon
embarrassed by questions he could not answer, and had the bill
postponed until my return. I felt for Mr. Davis a personal
attachment, and I believe this kindly feeling was reciprocated.
He served in the House of Representatives during most of the war,
and joined with Senator Wade in opposition to Mr. Lincoln's re-
election in 1864. He died at Baltimore on the 20th of December,
1865, when in the full vigor of matured manhood.

John S. Phelps in 1860 was an old and experienced Member. Born in
Connecticut he removed to Missouri as early as 1837. In 1844 he
was elected to Congress as a Democrat, and continued as a Member
sixteen years, being chairman of the committee of ways and means
during the 35th Congress. He was a valuable Member, patient,
careful, industrious, and had the confidence of the House. He was
moderate in his political opinions, and, though a resident of
Missouri, he took the Union side in the Civil War.

Thaddeus Stevens, one of the most remarkable men of the last
generation, was born in Vermont near the close of the last century;
and was well educated. He taught school and studied law. He
removed to Pennsylvania and there engaged in turbulent politics;
served several years as a member of the state legislature; was
elected to Congress in 18