The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1864-01-05

fellow, he did manage to burn himself
up-with rum. r.
j Thus the State went along for years,
without gaining particle of reputation
abroad by reason of the talents and
craftsmanship of its public men. I pre-
sumo there are not FIVE hundred persons
out Of Iowa, to-day, who know anything
of A. c. Dodge or G. w. Jones, except
that the latter was once put into prison
for reasonable expressions, and you
might travel everywhere without finding
anybody who had ever heard of Thomp-
son or Hall.
How different it is with the men whom
Republican Iowa has sent to represent
the State in Congress. Mr.. Grimes has
a reputation over the country, and pow
er in the national Legislature second to
no man in the Senate. Mr.. Harlan, not
80 noted as legislator, is well and favora-
bly, known all over the country as an or
ator and most upright statesman. 1t is
admitted on all hands here that no State
in the Union has two such men in the
Senate as has Iowa-a just admission ;
and great compliment, when it is re-
membered that Maine has Fessenden an !
Morrill,, New Hampshire, Hale and
Clark, Massachusetts, Sumner and Will
son, Ohio, Ben. Wade and Sherman.
But enough of the Senators.
Mr. Wilson, Of the First District, was
to-day made Chairman Of the Judiciary
Commitee-one OF the most important
positions in the House. Ability of high
order, skill in law, much legislative ex-
perience or fine Legislative tact, are re-
qured to fill it. Mr.. Wilson will un.
| doubtedly do the position honor, and re-
feet credit upon the State. Mr.. Price,
Of the Second District, was made Chair
man Of the Committee on Revolutionary
Claims 1t is an honor to any new mem
Der TO be made Chairman Of commit
tee, but cannot help thinking that Mr.
, Prices peculiar talents would have been
better recognized had he been placed on
the Ways and Means. Mr.. Allison, oi
the Third District, was put on two com.
mttees-Public Lands and Roads and
Canals. Mr.. Grinnell, of the Fourth, il
on the Committee on Post Offices and
Post Roads. Mr.. Kasson. Of the Fifth
is assigned to the Ways and Means
Judge Hubbard, Of the Sixth, 10 that or
Foreign affairs. Four Of these commit
tees are among the most important, and
one OF them, the Judiciary. is in many
respects the pre-eminent committee in al
legislative bodies, and at the head o
this stands an Iowa member Those o
my readers who are acquainted with th,
manner in which legislative business i
+ done, (almost exclusively through th,
standing committees, will understand
me when say that Iowa has carried OF
, lions share of the honors. Her voic,
will be heard, her influence felt, in th,
{, Legislation OF the country in such way a
was not dreamed OF only few year
Q ago.
!, AS sit here in the Reporters Gal
q lery, let me take bird d's-eye view of ou
r members, for the benefit Of such OF you
/. readers as have not seen them. l do nc
. think much Of phrenology, but the ply.
IT economical science is pretty correct. A
j. any rate. would rather trust the judg
Q ment OF fair view OF man. than tbs
/ of the fingers feeling the bumps on hi
}. skull
,fI Take the case Of Wilson, down in th
l. hall there. He is solid looking ma,
1t Nothing snowy about him. Well rour
is ded in form. a good sized head, cree
4. hair. stiff as SO many little pokers, kee
4 eve, a smooth, expressive face, cspab
e of showing earnest indignation or joll
er good nature, watching the business
II. the House like hawk ; you would kno
q. that strong common sense, obstinate pc
at severance in carrying out his purpose
as skill in adapting the means TO the en-
ty excellent reasoning powers. were q
II. chief elements OF his strength. Al
,e Wilson is an expert parlams ntariau,
" ready and effective debater. but not 1
20. eloquent orator. He will always secu
lie the attention of his audience, and the
.e. hearty respect. but he will never sci
in the fiery thrill Of enthusiasm throu;
sy their whole natures He wasn't inten
lis ed for that ephemeral sort Of work.
is is looked upon here as a very superi
man. aud regarded by most as the lead
his of The Iowa delegation in the House.
he Mr.. Price, OF your own district. Y
he all know like book. Modest, positive
nes distrustful Of his own abilities. he "
ns- sssuredly not so up like rocke, 10 CO
L. 4 ~..,, t;Ln ia st;.I H., Ia ,y,N 49,,