business rapidly increased and became very profitable. His relations with the several hundred men who were constantly employed were always pleasant and no strike occurred during his entire business career.
Soon after his removal to Necedah Mr. Babcock became prominent in local affairs, and in 1888 he was elected a member of the Wisconsin Assembly. Two years later, when many of his associates were defeated, he was reelected. In 1892 he was elected a member of congress and took his seat in the house August 7, 1893. He has been reelected six times. His present term will expire March 4, 1907. In addition to his minor duties in congress he has served as chairman of the committee on the District of Columbia for eight years, and has been a member of the committee on Ways and Means since the fifty-sixth Congress. As chairman of the Republican national congressional committee he conducted the campaign of 1894 with such vigor and skill as to restore his party to power in congress. His brilliant success in this campaign led to his reelection as chairman of this committee in 1896, 1898, 1900, 1902 and 1904. In 1898 he wished to resign the chairmanship to become a candidate for the office of United States senator. But, at the urgent request of President McKinley, who said to him, "I think, Mr. Babcock, that the country requires, and perhaps has a right to require, you to sink your personal wishes and plans and take the chairmanship again at this critical time, and carry us through if possible; you can do it if it can be done," he retained his position and carried one of the most difficult political campaigns of the generation to a successful issue.
During his childhood and youth he had lived in the country. His health was good and he had no tasks to perform which interfered with his attendance at school or with his progress in his studies. He has been twice married. His political connections have always been with the Republican party. Of the books which he has read he names those of Emerson as the most helpful in preparing him for his work in life. He is a lover of nature and finds his principal relaxation in fishing trips in the North in summer, and in Florida in winter. In these excursions he is always accompanied by Mrs. Babcock who is also fond of outdoor life.
He has a high regard for his ancestry, uses the Babcock coat of arms for his book-plate, and keeps on his desk an inkwell that was used by his maternal grandfather. His mother died during his
