in addition to that fidelity to his responsibilities which
had long been characteristic of him in any and all positions. His
qualifications for public life received still wider recognition the year
he served in the Senate, and he was nominated by the Republicans of the
old Eleventh District as Representative in Congress. He was re-elected
for two successive terms, and after the re-apportionment was elected
from the new Twelfth District in 1882, but before taking his seat was
nominated by the Republicans for the office of Governor, to which he was
elected. He took his seat, however, in order to assist in the
organization of the new Congress, and, after that work was accomplished,
resigned to enter upon the duties entrusted to him by the people of the
whole Commonwealth. He had sat in the Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth,
Forty-seventh and Forty-eighth Congresses. Of his career in Washington
it would not be possible to give a better summary than one given by
"Webb," the able Washington correspondent of the Boston Journal, which
is here given in its entirety:

Mr. Robinson took his seat in the Forty-fifth Congress, which met in
extra session, in October, 1877. He was prompt in his seat on the first
day of the first session. Regularity in attendance, and constant
attention to public business, have been characteristics of Mr.
Robinson's Congressional career. He is in his seat when the gavel falls
in the morning; he never leaves it until the House adjourns at night. He
does not spend his time in importuning the departments for clerkships,
but he welcomes the civil service law. He does not take the public time,
which belongs to his constituents, for his private practice in the
United States Supreme Court. He is in the truest sense a representative
of the people. He is quick in discovering, and vigorous in denouncing
an abuse. He as quickly comprehends and as earnestly advocates a just
cause. He is a safe guardian of the people's money and has never cast
his vote for an extravagant expenditure; but he does not oppose an
appropriation to gain a reputation for economy, or aspire to secure the
title of "watch dog of the Treasury," by resorting to the arts of a
demagogue.

When he entered Congress, he went there with the sincerity of a student,
determined to master the intricate, peculiar machinery of Congressional
legislation. He has become an authority in parliamentary law, and is one
of the ablest presiding officers in Congress.

In