Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 09.pdf/95

In his day the charges at the wretched Later, in 1845, he came West and settled at hotels in Madison were proverbially exor Green Bay, which continued to be his res bitant, and especially so to men of mark idence through life. who demanded extra attentions and single In 1848, he was an unsuccessful candi rooms. On leaving the hotel after a day's date for Congress as a Republican — a Whig sojourn he threw down a ten-dollar note to nomination being a forlorn hope. Upon pay his bill. The clerk asked if he had the admission of the State into the Union, nothing smaller, as he could not change the and the retirement of Chief-Justice Stow bill. "Well," said the Judge, "this is the from the fourth circuit in 1851, Judge first time I have known this hotel to charge Howe was elected in his stead and became less than ten dollars." ex officia a judge of the Supreme Court. He never married, and died in Milwaukee, In 1855, he resigned from the bench, the September 14, 1854. Edward G. Ryan meagreness of the salary driving him back penned of him these words: "He had to the profession. He entered into the fall eminently able and comprehensive powers campaign of 1855 as an able speaker for the of mind, liberally cultivated by wide and Republican cause. The next year he won varied learning, both in and outside the great professional reputation in the famous Bashford-Barstow quo warranta controversy, profession; he had singular firmness of in tegrity and sensitiveness of honor; he had as to who was legally elected governor. a large and generous heart, and gave to the Mention of this celebrated case will be made profession and the world an honorable and later on. high example of an able lawyer, an upright In 1857, Judge Howe was a prominent and enlightened judge and an accomplished candidate for the United States Senate. In gentleman." 1 858, he was the leader of the opposition to His opinions are found in Chandler's and the " State-Rights" wing of the Republican the second and third volumes of Pinney's party, which, goaded by the intense hostil ity to the slave power, had avowed senti Wisconsin Reports. ments bordering on, if not quite entering, TIMOTHY OTIS HOWE, though not long the field of nullification. It cost him the or prominently connected with the judiciary election to the Senate, but he was always a of Wisconsin, is, perhaps, one of the most man loyal to his convictions, and a stout famous names of Wisconsin. Able as a defender of the cause he espoused. In State lawyer and as a judge, his fame was chiefly conventions in 1858 and 1859, the lively won in the larger field of national states passages of debate between Judge Howe manship, where he was a conspicuous figure and Carl Schurz, then a young German during the eventful days of the Civil War and lawyer of this State, and afterwards a prom of the settlement of the country after the inent national character, were matters for close of the war. He was born at Liver- the whole State to talk over for weeks. more, Me., February 24, 1816. He was a As a debater Judge Howe was remarkable. farm-bred boy, receiving a common school A close logic marked his speeches, but a education. He read law and came to the quaint humor pervaded them which was Bar in 1839. He began practice in the almost classic in its aptness and crisp same town with Lot M. Morrill, afterwards expression. his compeer in the Senate. He was an He was elected to the United States Senate ardent Whig and one of the young men who and took his seat March 4, 1861. He was well-nigh idolized Henry Clay. He was twice re-elected, serving eighteen years, when member of the legislature in Maine in i 840. he was defeated, succeeded by Matt H. Car