The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-04


in I7s9-or at the Art session Of the First Congress
but eleven States were represented; and after the
adoption Of the constitution BY North Carolina and
Rhode Island. tho total number Of Senators was
twenty-eix. The number has been increased, by the
admission Of eighteen States into the Union, to sixty
two, the present number Of Senators, when vacan
cies are filed
Although the terms of one-third OF the whole
number Of Senators expire every two years, there
have been 30 many reflections that the number Of
new members Of the body Is not large There are
several vacancies, it will be observed, from States
where the legislatures have not been in session re-
Gently, or where they have failed TO effect cleo
tions.
The following are brief sketches Of the Senators
now holding SEATS
ALABAMA.
BENJAMIN FITzPArRICK.-The Legislature, when
1t meets, will elect two Senators. vz.:-One place
of William II. King, resigned, and the other as suo-
cesor to Mr.. Clemens, whose term has just expired
In the place Of Mr.. King the Governor has appoint
cd BeI jamin Fitzpatrick, who will hold his seat
until the Legislature appoints successor. The
same gentleman held similar appointment from
the Governor in lS49, on the death Of Dixon H.
Lewis. Mr.. Fitzpatrick has been twice elected
Governor Of the State, with l841 and l843. He
is not much known out of his own State.
ARKANSAS.
SOLoN BoRL AND.-We have, on a recent occa-
sion, sketchfd the Senators from Arkansas We
however, now give few Of the particulars Of each.
Mr.. Borland il native of Nansemond county, Vir-
gna. His father was highly educated English
physician, who married in that county, and edu-
Gated his son for the same profession After his
emigration to Arkansas the present Senator was for
while editor offs paper in that State. His pugna-
cous disposition has led him into several quarres in
Arkansas and at Washington. He Is however q ready
and active Legislator and jealous Of the rights of the
Southern States. He was Wig ilant as chairman of
the Committee on Printing. He is about AZ years of
age, of small stature, with light hair and complex
ion, and is bald the top of the head. Nansemond
county, in Virginia. the place OF his birth, is Of
the old Underwater counties in that district of the
State, originally settled by the Cavaliers.
WILLIAM K. SEBASTIAN is considered the most
able man who has yet represented Arkansas in the
Senate. He IL a native, we believe, Of one Of the
States in the valley of the Mssissippi; lawyer by
profession. and about 3s years of age. He is Of me-
dun stature. Of fine personal appearance, and his
dence OF Spanish origin. His manners are pleas
ing; his style Of Oratory good; and he is ready and
fluent in debate. He Is, like his colleague, jealous
advocate of Southern State rights and his friends
aeticpate for him brilliant career in the councils Of
the nation
cALIFoRIA.
WILLIAM NJ. GwIN is . native Of Sumner county,
Tennessee, and graduated at Pennsylvania Uni
versity, Kentucky, in 1927. He studied medicine
for six years, in Mississippi and louisiana, in
rally esteemed. His father, the Rev. James Gwin,
was personal friend Of Gen. jackson, and his
chaplain at New Orleans. In 1888 Doctor Gwin
was appointed by Gen. jackson United States Mar
shal for the Southern district Of Mississippi, which
Office he resigned in ls4l, and the same year he was
elected to Congress. He served but one term, and
in ls45 removed to New Orleans where he was sp-
pointed by President Polk to superintend tho
ton Of new custom house. On the election OF Gen.
Taylor, he resigned his situation and removed to
California. He at once became popular there, and
was elected delegate to the convention to frame a
State constitution. The Legislature of the new State
elected him as colleague to Col Fremont for their
first United States Senators. In person, DR.. Gwin
is beyond the ordinary size, and his pleasing man
ners and many estmable qualities always secure him
friends and influence. He is frank intelligent, and
good debater
JOnE B. WELLER was born in Hamilton county
Ohio, and is now thrty-nne years Of age: Hay-
ing studied law, and commenced practice, he
was elected prosecuting attorney for the county
OF Butler, and held the Office until his election
to Congress In 1888. He was q member of the
House LOT SIX years, ana rstreO IN lS45 during
tie war with Mexico, be was chosen Lieutenant
Colonel Of the First regiment Of Ohio Volan-
teers, and served under General Taylor at the
battle of Monterey Soon after his return to Ohio,
the democratic party Of that State nominated him
for Governor, but he was defeated by small majo-
rity by Mr.. Ford, the whig candidate In January,
ls49, he was appointed by President Polk Com
missioner to run the boundary line between the
United States and Mexico, from which Office he was
removed by tho wing administration in 1850. Hav-
ing removed to California, he was elected by the
Legislature of that State, in January, 1852, United
States Senator to succeed Col. Fremont. Mr.. Wei.
Ter Is OF the medium size with good head pleasant
and auburn hair. He is good speaker,
Of the popular school, and Is progressive State
rights democrat.
TRUMAN SMITH is a native OF the State he repre-
cents, having been born in Roxbury, Ltchfield coun
ty, In November, l7Jl His father, Phineas Smith,
was farmer and brother Of the late Judge Nathaniel
Smith, and of Nathan Smith, who was U. 8. Sena-
tor from Connecticut, and died at Washington,
in December 1885. Truman Smith graduated at
Yale College in 1915, was admitted ~ the bar in
1918. and commenced the practice of the law at
Litcbfield, where he still resides. He commenced
public life in 1881, member Of the Legislature of
Connecticut and was twice reelected In 1889 he
was elected q member Of Congress- and was re elect
cd to the House in 1S4l, 1916 and ls47. The Legs-
lat,re in ls4s elected him U. S. Senator for six
years from March, ls49. Mr. Smith has been dis
tnguisbed in Congress for his industry and atten-
ton TO business a. member on committees or on the
floor. His statements, when not Of party charac-
ter, are generally relied on for their accuracy. He
is Of large size, about six feet in height with ford
complexion and light hair. He il staunch whig,
and is considered by bis political friends an able tao
tican and good manager.
ISAAC ToucEY is Of the family Of that name
which early settled in Fairfield county, Connect
lieut. Having received good education, he
studied law, and has for many years resided at
Hartford. Becoming connected in politics with
the democratic party, he was elected to Congress
in 1885 and 1887. From 1888 to ls46, as the
wings were in power in Connecticut most of the
time, Mr.. Toucey remained in private life, but in
1916 he was elected Governor He held the Office
but one year the wings regained the ascendancy.
In ls4s, the last year Of Mr. Folks administration,
Mr.. Toucoy received the appointment Of Attorney
General TO succeed Mr.. clifford. In his profession
Dir. Toucey has been successful, and he has been
indebted, perhaps to the confidence Of his par
ty in his talents and integrity than to the possenson
Of any remarkable popular qualities He must be
about SIS years Of age.