Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-02-29
SENATORIAL PORTRAITS.


Cowan, of the Warren Mail, draws the fol-
lowing portra its of the new members of the
Pennsylvania Senate, in recent letter from
Harrisburg
First on the voting list comes our Senator,
Isaac Benson. He was raised in Waterford.
Erie County, read law with Johnson and Brown
in Warren, and commenced practice in Cou-
dersport, Potter County, in 1916, where he
soon acquired heavy and lucrative business.
de is an earnest, matter-of-tact Speaker,
safe counsellor and an energetic, straight for
ward business man, whose word is as good as
his bond. In politics he was Whig. Now
he is a Republican of the straghtest sect,
running near to radicalism his sound,
practical, common sense will allow. These
| qualities, added to his untring industry and
| sobriety, his abhorrence of cliques and clap
trap. log-rolling legislation, with his the rough
devocation to principle, will make him one OF
| the most reliable and creditable representa-
tives in the Senate. He served in the House in
1857 and 1858, being the first Republican men,
| ber from sturdy little Potter. His tenacity
| of purpose and party zeal were exhibited fair
| ly in 1857 when, barely convalescent, he left
his room, at the peril of his life, to come here
! by forced stages in time to vote Tor Cameron
and defeat Democratic U. S. Senator. OF
just such mettle is the Senator from Tioga,
| Potter Mexican and Warren.
| DR.. T.. d. Crawford represents Juniatta,
| Cumberland, Perry and Miffiin. He is the
only Democrat of all the Pennsylvania eleven
who escaped to tell the tale of his party's loss
! in the last campaign. This is mis- first year in
the Legislature. He is youngerly man, of
middle hight, with slight figure, dark hair,
| pleasant face and reserved manner. 1npolitics
| he is said to be Anti-Lecompton and Anti
| Bigler, which probably saved his bacon last
| fall. He has not yet claimed the floor, and
| do not therefore know any thing of his talking
| power.
| The next is De Lorna Imbrie, representing
Beaver and Butler. He served in the House
| in 1856, 1857 and 1858 with credit to himself
and satisfaction to his constituents, with whom
| he is deservedly popular. He, too, is young
| middling sized man, slightly STOPPING, with
| brown hair and whiskers, a serious, thoughtful
! face and quiet manner. He is always ready to
vote but seldom speaks. He is a thorough
Republican and reliable, high minded repre-
sentative.
4. II. Irish is young lawyer from Pitts
burgh. His first legislative experience was
in the House last winter. Politically he is
very strongly Anti Slavery, having originated
the Congressional resoluti ons this winter, and
the Personal Liberty Bill last. He is a fair
speaker and Industrious and successful
worker. He is one of the youngest men in
the Senate and the ladies say the handsomest,
having fine figure, very black hair and whis
kers and an easy graceful action. He succeeds
DR.. Gazzan and will make faithful and able
representative.
Lewis W. Hall represents Clearfeld, Cam
bria and Blair-the famous Bgler district
He is young man, new in legislative life and
popular at home, as his success proves. He
practices law in Altoona; has heavy voice
and fair powers as speaker, though they have
not yet been much exhibited in the Senate.
In person he is tall and slim, having an acqui-
live nose, sandy hair and whiskers and an in
teligent expression.
W. W. Ketcham represents Luzerne. He
served in the House last year where he took
high rank for a new member. He is a lawyer
by profession and is said to be an able speaker.
He is about the average stature, rather thick
set with a restless eye, full face and forid
complexion. All his movements remind you
of the earnest, go-ahead, ont spoken man of
business and the determined Republican which
you would expect to represent the consttuen-
cy of Luzerne. They are not mistaken in
their man.
George Landon comes into the Legislature
for the first time from the district composed of
Bradford, Susquehanna, Wyoming and Sulli-
van. A constituency so true to Freedom
should send true man, and they have.
Methodist clergyman formerly. he comes to
his place with more than an average reputation
for eloqnence and ability. Whether he will
fill the expectations of his friends in this new
sphere. remains to be seen, as he is no wise
| anxious to claim the floor. He is in middle
life, nearly the average size, with sandy hair
and whiskers, musical voice and quiet man.
ner with an under current of good humor and
strongly knit frame capable of almost any
fatigue. He is one of your straight out, en-
energetic, earnest men, and suspect that,
once buckled into the legislative harness, he
will be hard customer to handle.
]. E. Meredith represents Indiana and Arm
strong. This is his first year in the Legisla-
ture. He is a Surveyor by profession and
pleasant, upright, quiet, industrious man, al
ways in his place though he seldom or never
speaks. He is in middle life with silver-gray
hair, tall, well formed and dignifed, looking
much more like Senator than some OF his
younger companions.
A. X. Mcclure is another of the young Sem
ators, though he comes with two years expert
ence in the House, where he served in 1888
and 1852 He represents Adams, Franklin
and Fulton, is lawyer by profession and
politician of the old Whig school He stood
| in the front rank in the House, and, if he
chooses to exert himself, he will Lave very
| few superiors in the Senate. He has tenor
voice but speaks with more than ordinary
eloquence and electrical force. Tall, we'll
| formed and commanding, you do nothing but
| listen when his big head and broad shoulders
rise at front desk in the Senate. With strong
| partizan likes and disikes, he always has
| bitter fight when he runs, and is always trium-
| phantIy sustained by his constituents. The
people Of the Northwest remember and ad-
mire him for his valuable services in behalf Of
the Sunbury and Erie Railroad.
/ George Connall halls from the Germantown
| section of Philadelphia. He has no legisla-
tive experience, this being his first year. He
! is known as a successful, Industrious, business
man in the real estate line land an active work
er in the Opposition party of that city. He
| will doubtless make quiet, reliable and in
dustrious member. He is of nearly medium
| size, with brown hair. pleasant face and ner-
yous activity. He speaks readily and to the