Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/227

 HON. THOMAS LOGAN TULLOCK. 199

of the office. His removal is a matter of almost universal regret. It is gratifying to hear all our eitizens spoak in the highest terms of his capacity and fidelity, and of his correct moral and gentlemanly deportment. It is also conceded that we never had a better postmaster."' liie '' Journal" (Whig): '"If wortli. devotion to business and attention to the wants of our citizens; in fact, if ' lionesty. capa- bility and being a friend to liis eountr}',' had been all the requiremcmts for the office, the present worthy Postmaster would not have been displaced by the new administration."

From May, 1853, to June, 1858, Mr. Tullock was Treasurer of the Ports- mouth and Concord Railroad and oiv.^ of the Trustees for the Bondholders, and, from 1858 to i860, Treasurer of the Concord and Portsmouth Railroad after it was reorganized and leased to the Concord Railroad. He was also in- terested in business in iSc^g and 1858, with the late Joseph D. Pillow and Joseph Spinney, under the firm name of Joseph Spinney and Co., dealers in wood.

In 1858, Mr. Tullock was elected by the New Hampshire Legislature, Secretary of State, and held that office tliree years, from June, 1858, to June, 1 86 1, under the administration of Governors Haile and Goodwin. During his term of office he commenced the Portrait Gallery of the governors and other citizens, distinguished for their civic and military services, which has since been steadily and largely increased until it has become one of the most valuable and highly prized institutions of the State.*

Mr. Tullock was energetic in aiding Gov. Goodwin, the first war governor of New Hampshire, in raising and equipping the ist and 2nd Regiments of New Hampshire Vokmteers. From May, 1 861, to August, 1865, Mr. Tullock was Navy Agent at Portsmouth, N. H., an office of great responsibility, involving large disbursements. As a consequence of the war of the rebellion, the construction, equipment and ordnance departments were during this period worked to their utmost capacity, causing the employment of from two to three thousand men, and the use of immense quantities of materials, a great portion of which had to be purchased in open market. The admirable management of the office gave satisfaction to the Government and to the loyal public. Many vessels of war were built, and as many more repaired and equipped during Mr. TuUock's term of office. The Kearsarge, Franklin, Ossipee, Sacramento, Sebago, Mahaska, Sonoma, Conemaugh, Pawtucket, Nipsic, Shawmut, Sassacus, Agamenticus and others, having, an honorable record, were among the number launched.

On Mr. Tullock's retirement from the Navy Agency, the newspapers were very complimentary in their respective notices. One editorial reads: —

"■ It is only justice to say in regard to Mr. Tullock, that in all his public offices, as Postmaster at Portsmouth, Secretary of State in New Hampshire, and United States Navy Agent, he has proved liimself an officer and business man of unusual eiiergj^, promptitude and efficiency, as well as a thorough gentleman in all his dealings."

Another observes: —

'•'• Mr. Tullock has proved a very acceptable Xavj'^ Agent. His accounts have been'models in point of accuracj'. and although the pressure of the duties of the office have at times been enormous, they liave been discharged alike to the satis- faction of the government and the business community."

Hon. John P. Hale, in a speech in the United States Senate, May 23, 1864, in relation to Naval Supplies, after reading an extract from some evidence

" Governors Portrait Gallery " and pulilished in the New Hampshire papers. The State is particularly indebted to Gov. Prescottfor his untiring and per.>islent efforts in securing portraits lor the Gallery wiiile Secretary of State and Governor, and for his active interest, therein to the present time.
 * Sco Mr. Tullock's letters addressed to (iov. Presemt, December 28, 1872, and March 29, 187.3, on the

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