from Portland to Puget Sound. He was a faithful public servant and useful citizen, and took a deep interest in the political affairs of his state. In 1882 he was nominated by the democratic convention to the office of governor, but was defeated by his opponent Z. F. Moody. He was a churchman, prominently identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and although not a licensed minister, he frequently officiated in public address in the pulpits of that church. He was an able and polished speaker, pleasing and forcible in manner, merited and received the universal respect of all who knew him.
James H. Slater succeeded Mr. Smith as congressman, and was elected in June, 1870, took office March 4, 1871, and served until March 3, 1873. Mr. Slater was born in Illinois in 1826, and died in February, 1899, at La Grande, Oregon. He came to California in 1849; to Oregon in 1850, and for two years taught school at Corvallis, Oregon. He was appointed clerk of the United States District Court in 1853, and admitted to the bar in 1854. He was elected as an independent of democratic antecedents to the territorial legislatures of 1857, 1858 and 1859, and the first state legislature. He was editor of the Oregon Weekly Union, at Corvallis, from 1859 to 1861; was postmaster also at that place, and in 1862 removed to Baker City, Oregon, and in 1866 to La Grande, where he has continuously practiced his profession of a lawyer, except while holding the offices of congressman and United States senator. He was elected prosecuting attorney of the fifth judicial district in 1866, serving two years. He was chosen a presidential elector for Seymour and Blair in 1868, and in 1870 was nominated and elected as a democrat to the forty-second congress. He was elected United States senator in September, 1878, taking office March 4, 1879, and his term expiring March 3, 1885, to be succeeded by Senator John H.
