Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 9.djvu/271

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Hon. Jacob H. Gallinger.
247


HON. JACOB H. GALLINGER, M. D.

Since July, 1879, when a sketch of Hon. Jacob H. Gallinger appeared in The Granite Monthly, at which time he was president of the New-Hampshire Senate, he has not been idle. At this time, when he is a candidate for re-election to Congress, a few additional facts may be of interest to the readers of The Granite Monthly. Allen J. Hackett, a well known political writer, contributes the following: "Dr. Gallinger had long been an active and influential member of the Republican State Central Committee, and in September, 1882, he was made its chairman. The campaign which followed was one of exceeding bitterness, and beset with exceptional difficulties. The tidal wave, which, two years later, carried the Democratic party into power in the Nation, had already set in. New York, Pennsylvania, and even Massachusetts chose Democratic governors, and a Democratic Congress was elected. In addition to these general discouragements, the Republicans of New Hampshire were called upon to face serious obstacles of their own, which are well known to all; and which, therefore, need not be discussed here. It is only just to say that, with a less adroit manager at the head of the Republican organization, the Republican victory which followed would have been impossible. Dr. Gallinger was re-elected to the chairmanship in 1884, and again demonstrated his especial fitness for the place.

"In the Second District Convention, held at Concord, Sept. 9, 1884, Dr. Gallinger was nominated for member of Congress, receiving on the first ballot 171 out of a total of 329 votes. The nomination was subsequently made unanimous. His competitors were Hon. Daniel Barnard of Franklin, and Hon. Levi W. Barton of Newport, two of the ablest men of the State. He was elected in November following, running several hundred votes ahead of his ticket.

"Dr. Gallinger has been prominent in politics otherwise than in an official capacity. He is one of the most popular and successful campaign orators in the State. As a speaker, he is rapid, direct, and practical; has an excellent voice, and always commands the close attention of his audience. He is also a facile and effective writer. He has frequently prepared the resolutions for State and District Conventions, and has written to a considerable extent for the daily press. He has also performed considerable literary labor of a general character. He has frequently lectured before lyceums and other literary societies; and Dartmouth College has conferred upon him the honorary degree of master of arts.

"Dr. Gallinger is slightly above the medium height, and is somewhat portly. He has always been strictly temperate in his habits, and the happy results of his abstemious life are apparent in his cheery and healthful countenance. He has a fine presence, a cordial, hearty manner, and a pleasing, winning address. His rare social qualities, abundant good nature, keen sense of humor, and excellent conversational power, make him a most agreeable companion; and few men in the State enjoy a higher degree of personal popularity."

At the meeting of the State Committee and Delegates on the evening of Sept. 13, 1886, to form a plan for the organization of the Republican State