The senatorial career of George Graham Vest

Abstract

G. G. Vest is known to most people, if at all, as the author of the famous eulogy on the dog. To a small group, he is known as the "Senator of two Republics" but to many he is known not at all. His work as a United States Senator from Missouri has received little attention. The very few accounts of his life are brief and inadequate. Sources are scarce as to his early life, hence this study is necessarily limited to his Senatorial career, although mention is made of his earlier activities. Rather than give a superficial sketch of his whole Senatorial career, it has seemed best to limit this paper to his most important work during twenty-four years in the Senate from 1879 to 1903. It is hoped that this study will be of value to all interested in Vest and his service to Missouri.--Preface.