ed over
their combined vote, could do them no harm, while the chances were
that it would inure to their advantage.

The Territory of Colorado, which was prevented by Andrew Johnson from
entering the Union in 1866, was now, after the lapse of ten years,
admitted as a State under a bill approved by General Grant in the
closing year of his Presidency. The Territory had in the long interval
developed great wealth in the precious metals, in rich deposits of iron
and coal, and most surprising of all, in its agricultural resources.
The two senators, Jerome B. Chaffee and Henry M. Teller, were kinsmen
and were among the pioneers of the Territory who had been deeply
concerned in its progress and development. Mr. Chaffee had represented
the Territory in Congress for the six years immediately preceding its
admission as a State, and had worked with energy and success for the
interest of his constituents. He was somewhat impaired in health when
he took his seat in the Senate, and did not desire to remain in public
life. Mr. Teller continued in the Senate for a longer period, and
acquired political leadership in his State.

Michael C. Kerr, who was elected Speaker of the Forty-fourth Congress,
was prevented by ill-health from presiding for any considerable
length of time. Owing to marked symptoms of pulmonary disease he was
warned by friends that he should not accept a position so laborious and
so exhausting as the Speakership. It was beyond his strength. He
died during the Congressional recess on the 19th of August, 1876, in
the fiftieth year of his age. At the meeting of Congress in the
following December, Samuel J. Randall of Pennsylvania (who had been
Mr. Kerr's competitor in the Democratic caucus) was chosen Speaker.
He had represented a Philadelphia district for thirteen years and had
acquired a thorough knowledge of the rules and methods of the House.
He is a strong partisan, with many elements of leadership. He is
fair-minded towards his political opponents, generous to his friends,
makes no compromise with enemies, never neglects his public duties,
and never forgets the interests of the Democratic party.

CHAPTER XXV.

Between 1860 and 1876 the Presidential nominations of the Republican
party had been predetermined and practically unopposed. The second
nomination of Mr. Lincoln and the two nominations of General Grant
were so unmistakably dictated by public opinion that they came without
a contest. In 1876,