Page:The autobiography of a Pennsylvanian.djvu/207

 Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and he has one of the most important collections of autographs in the country, which only a very few selected persons have ever been permitted to see.

The board was an arena for orators, among whom were Richardson L. Wright and John L. Kinsey, the latter of whom has since become a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas No. 1. Wright, a good-hearted and worthy egotist and an old war-horse of Democracy, had in his earlier days been speaker of the House of Representatives at Harrisburg. In build, contour of face, dress, manner and emotional style of declamation, he was a counterpart of Henry Clay, and he talked by the hour upon every question that arose. Nevertheless, all gave him respect because he was both honest and manly. It was told of him that once when the omnibuses still carried passengers through the town, he came upon a woman loaded with bundles trying to clamber up the steps in the rear of the coach. With admirable kindness and redundant courtesy he gave her his assistance, and then in departing said: “And now, Madam, when you reach the bosom of your family, you will be able to tell them that you have been helped on your way by the Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

Being a persona grata, I was appointed a member of both the most important committees, those upon the High School and Normal School, a distinction accorded to no one else, and was made chairman of the Committee on Supplies, a place of great responsibility, since that committee purchased all of the text-books, utensils, etc., and expended annually large sums of money. During my service I had built the Robert Morris Schoolhouse and decent out-houses for every school in the ward. 18