nomiuiifced aud elected him State Senator, he being the only candidate
elected in opposition to the Independent ticket then in the field, his oppo-
nent being Judge Strong. In 1878 he was re-elected over Hon. J. B. Congle
and in 1880 was honored by receiving the entire Republican vote of the
Senate as President of that body, in which trying position he displayed
marked executive ability, and by his fairness and impartiality won the es-
teem of both political sides of the Chamber. He was re-elected for the
second time in 1882 as State Senator by nearly 1,200 majority over his oppo-
nent, Hon. John Oatlin. This is by far the largest majority ever given in
the State on the election of State Senator, and was highly complimentary
to Mr. Hirsch. The Republican delegation from Multnomah county to the
State Convention, which met in Portland, in April, 1882, unanimously rec-
ommended Mr. Hirsch as a member of the State Central Committee from
that county, and he was afterwards unanimously elected as Chairman of
that organization. His very successful management of the campaign of
1882 is a matter of history, the defeat of the Democratic party being as dis-
astrous as was the success of the Republican party brilliant. Never was a
campaign in this State better managed, its organization more complete, its
work more effective, and its result more successful, and to Hon. Sol. Hirsch
is, in a great measure, due the praise for the brilliancy of its success. In
the session of 1882, Senator Hirsch was appointed Chairman of the Com-
mittee on Ways and Means, and, as ever, proved himself one of the most
active workers on the floor. On the 1st day of February, 1870, Senator
Hirsch was married to Miss Josephine Mayer, daughter of Jacob Mayer,
Esq., of the firm of which Mr. Hirsch is an active member. She is an ac-
knowledged leader in society and a mother in the fullest sense of the word
to their four bright and intelligent children. Mr. Hirsch being just in the
prime of life, it is safe to predict for him a bright and brilliant future.
HON. JOSEPH SIMON.
One of the first members to attract the attention of a stranger on enter- ing the Senate Chamber is the Senator from Multnomah, whose name heads this sketch, not that he is either of commanding appearance or hand- some, but because — well just because he is not considered over burdened with either of these unnecessary virtues. He possesses, however, what is considered a superior, marked intelligence and keen perceptive faculties. He can detect a defect in any measure as readily as any member on the floor, and his opinion never fails to receive the careful consideraticm of his col- leagues. He came to Oregon in 18.57, when he was but six years of age, and with his parents settled in Portland, where he assisted his father in the nc rcautile business. He attended the public schools of that city and, being a hard aud thorough student, was not long in securing such educational advantages as they offered at that day. Possessing a desire to study law he, in 1870, entered the office of Mitchell & Dolph as a student, and soon developed more than ordinary talent. He was a close student and, possessed of a retentive memory, he showed marked progress and was ready for exam- ination for admission to the bar in 1872. He passed a successful examina-
