Vaux.] < t) [T>ec. 19, 



Congress from Kentucky, afterwards governor of that State, and its repre- 

 sentative in tlie Senate of the United States, one of the ablest and purest 

 of the public men of this countrj^ that Mr. Phillips was a verj'^ successful 

 member of the House, and both in committee and on the floor was equal 

 to any emergency. Governor Stevenson regarded Mr. Phillips' service 

 on the Committee of "Ways and Means in the 2d session of the 35th 

 Congress, as proof of this estimate of his public character. 



The proceedings of the House of Representatives for the sessions of the 

 35tli Congress, as published in the Congressional Globe, prove the earnest, 

 active part taken by Mr. Phillips on public questions, his aptitude in de- 

 bate, his familiarity with and incisive mode of dealing with questions of 

 parliamentary law. He was laborious in his attention to the business de- 

 volved on the Committee of "Ways and Means, and faithfully served it by 

 his watchfulness and promptitude, iiis comprehension of the questions 

 under debate, and the facility with which he made his views understood 

 by his colleagues in Congress. 



The Sotli Congress was remarkable not only for the character and 

 attainments of so many of its members, but also from the questions with 

 which it had to deal. That Mr. Phillips should have gained and main- 

 tained a prominent position during both its sessions is as likely as any 

 other evidence to assure his deserved reputation. 



On his retirement from Congress Mr. Phillips returned to his professional 

 duties. For several years he was devoted to them, but from time to time 

 he was induced to take an interest in matters of general public concern, 

 and give his knowledge and experience for the benefit of his native city. 

 He felt he ought to contribute his share to the welfare of Philadelphia, and 

 from 1865 to 1875 he was engrossed in such service. Thus withdrawn from 

 active practice, he became the counselor as he ceased to be the counsel. 

 Though his advice and sound judgment were always sought, yet he con- 

 fined himself to consulting and advising on subjects which were to be 

 affected bj^ the enactment of laws, as well as their determination and 

 adjudication. 



The city having been made the trustee under very many testamen- 

 tary devises for objects of benevolence, and most especially by the will 

 of Stephen Girard for purposes of the highest importance to the people of 

 Philadelphia, especially, it was deemed advisable to unite the admin- 

 istration of these trusts in one body charged with this duty. 



Mr. Phillips took great interest in this proposition. It was consummated, 

 and on September 2d, 1869, he was appointed a member of this new 

 organization, " The Board of City Trusts." Subsequently he was elected 

 its vice-president, and then its president. His faithful and useful services 

 in that board were fully recognized. 



On the 16th of October, 1874, Mr. Phillips was selected as one of the 

 directors of "The Pennsylvania Company for Insurance on Lives and 

 Granting Annuities." His knowledge and experience qualified him for 

 the discharge of the responsible duties of this position. 



