Page:Men of Mark in America vol 1.djvu/51

 Rh exceeding a certain specified tonnage oh the Great Lakes, and of matters relating to the lake fisheries, to reciprocity with Canada, and to the Alaska boundary. He was chairman of the American Commissioners, and at the meetings of the joint commission at Quebec in 1898, and at Washington, District of Columbia, in 1899, he rendered important service.

In the presidential campaign of 1896 Mr. Fairbanks was leader of the Republican forces in Indiana and labored earnestly to secure the nomination and election of Major William McKinley, with whom he had long been on terms of intimate friendship. In congress he has exerted a strong influence upon legislation relating to the currency and the tariff, has served with great efficiency as chairman of the senate committee on Immigration, and later as chairman of the committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. Until it was evident that peaceful efforts would fail to secure an improvement in the intolerable conditions prevailing in Cuba, Mr. Fairbanks was a strong supporter of President McKinley in his effort to avoid an armed conflict with Spain; but when war seemed to be the only honorable course to pursue he advocated, with the president, its immediate declaration and its vigorous prosecution. He was offered a cabinet position by President McKinley, but believing that he could render the country better service in the senate, he declined the honor. On January 20, 1903, he was reelected to the senate by an increased majority. His present term would have expired March 3, 1909, had he not been elected vice-president. He was a delegate-at-large from Indiana to the Republican national convention at Chicago in June, 1904, and was there nominated by acclamation for vice-president of the United States.

He was married to Miss Cornelia Cole, October 6, 1874. Of their five children all are now living. He has received the degree of LL.D. from Baker university, Kansas, and from Ohio Wesleyan university. In politics he has always been a Republican. He is an effective speaker and his services are in great request in every presidential campaign. Within the past ten years he has addressed important political meetings in nearly every northern state. He has also delivered many addresses at college commencements and other anniversaries. Since his election to the senate he has not practised law. His religious connection is with the Methodist Episcopal church. For many years he has been a trustee of the Ohio Wesleyan university.