Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-03-21
Glanes. :. Iis aIsnsral A..slAeD >

locality about which everybody speaks or
reads. and we all frequently reallse how
iAughably unjust or ridiculously flattered
are these portraits of the mind. During a
session of the General Assembly like the
present one, those readers Of our reports Of
the proceedings whose avocations forbid
their coming to Columbus, content them
selves with picturing, after ttifs fashion, the
members who are alternately thrust into
notice by the dlssensions or discussions
arising out of the absorbing questions Of
the day. Being now pretty well acquaint-
ed with them, we purpose to sketch, as we
may aVelelsure, such of them as have at
tainedsufficient prominence to justify 1t, In
order that the readers OF THE STATESMAN
may have more correct ideas of them, and
may modify or change the portraits they
have pictured in their minds. We promise,
however, In the outstart, that these 'glan-
cesp shall be dashed off with free pen, and
drawn without rancor to foe, or partiality
10 friend. .'' y" ~
It's morning, and neither branch of the
Legislatures is yet in session. We happen
to be standing In the Rotunda OF the Capt.
tol talking with DR.. AwL the industrious
and efficient Superintendent Of Public
Buildings, who is gentleman of the Old
School, and has kind word for everybody.
The members are coming in-Senators
filing to the left and Representatives to the
right, proceeding, respectively, to the Sem
ate Chamber and the Hall of the House,
The group Of gentlemen who are opposite
us, earnestly engaged in conversation,
come from the great Northwest, and are
doubtless consulting as to matters of legis-
lation which shall promote the interests Of
that important section of the State. The
gentleman considerably below the medium
size, with dark hair and sandy whiskers,
and a face and department full Of character,
who is now speaking with more than ordi-
nary emphasis, is w. ID. HILL, the Demo-
cratic Representative from Defiance. He
is one of the best workers in the House;
and his efficiency as legislator is already
very generally recognized, although he is
only in his firSt session. 1t is but few
years since he was elected Mayor of
the Republican City Of Springfield, not
withstanding his Democracy; and last fall,
he did as much as any other man to
redeem the Representative District COM
posed of the counties of Defiance, Paul
ding, and Williams. When he speaks, his
arguments are welded together with fer
vor of language and closeness of logic,
that make him formidable competitor on
the floor of the House. He is still compar-
atively young; and will be heard from in
many contest that is yet to take place in
Ohio. His colleague, Z. G.. DENMAN, the
other Democratic Representative from
that District, is listening attentively
to what he is saying. He too is an
efficient and worthy legislator, al-
ways in his seat, attending diligently to
his duties. MEREDITH K. WILLETT, the
Senator from Williams, is now about to re-
spond; and whoever knows the Judge
needs not to be told, that his utterances
contain words of wisdom and sound states
ma1ship. He is in bis second term, hav-
ing been reelected by largely increased
The record that he made in the
last General Assembly was highly credita-
BILE IT, him, and to the constituency he rep
and his record in this General As
sembly will be equally creditable. He is
Just in his prime, and has decision, energy,
and intellect plainly written upon his
,ountenance. The remaining gentleman
n the group we are describing and charac-
erizing, with fair complexion, brown hair,
md figure OF ordinary height, is T. j. GOD-
'RRY, the other Senator from the North
western District, who is in his first
ession, but has already manifested
qualities as legislator. But
t is now nearly time to begin the work of
he day. The Senators have gone to their
and we join Messrs. HILL and
DENMAN, to run ''glance" over some of
he conspicuous characters in conclave in
he Hall of Representatives. !
The Speaker-ED. A. PARROTT-has just
,ailed the House to order, and is proceed
ng to business. He is far below the ordi-
lary size; has sandy hair and mustache,
md light eyes and full ruddy face, which
indicates alike good nature and obstinacy.
lie is a bold, bitter, and effective politician;
md has served one term in the House OF
before this. He is good
presiding officer; understands parliament
airy usage; and, as general thing, means
o discharge his duties impartially. His
Ioice is excellent, and this gives him a
.reat advantage in the position he holds.
lie has firstrate social qualities; and, by
he way, is still in his HONEYMOON, having
recently been married to the charming
laughter of Presbyterian Clergyman of
Dayton. From the Speaker our eyes in
turn to FRENCH w. THoRNHILL,
who received the votes of the Democratic
members for the same position, at the or
ganization of the House, He is not what
he ladies would call HANDSOME, nor has he
he most fascinating face in the world, but
me in which obstinacy and dry humor are
10Th to be plainly read. He is tall and
straight, being considerably over six feetin
leight, and has stalwart form. He has
,een described as looking like the late Pres
dent LINCOLN; and is somewhere north of
Ilxty. He has much legislative expert
,nce, having been a member Of both branches
# the General Assembly in years agone;
nd 1. now In his secnnd term since re-