New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-21
POLITICAL SMALL TALK.

Attorney General Field returned to tn,
city from Washington, in advance of tn
congressional committee, and was at th'
State House yesterday. He will be presen
at the meetings of the committee, and will
probably participate as counsel for the
Republican party. The health of the
Attorney General has somewhat improved
since he left New Orleans.
1t was rather dull around the State House
yesterday. The Governor was too unwell
to be at the executive department. His
private secretary, Mr.. Clarke, was there bu:
q short time, he also being too unwell to
remain throughout the day.
| In the House of Representatives nothing
was done for want of quorum, three mem
bers $eing absent-Messrs Lane, Wilson,
and another member whose name we could
not learn. The canse OF the absence OF
these members was variOusly given by
street gossipers, but as we pay but little at
tention to anything emanating from them,
we do not choose to repeat it.
| Nothing OF special Importance was done
| IN the Senate. Senators seemed to be in a
| good talking humor, and they talked away
| until near five o'clock without accomplish
Ing much business.
Hon. Joseph 4. Mcdonald.
The Democratic Senator elect from In
diana to succeed Hon. Daniel d. Pratt,
Republican. whose term expires March 3,
! next, although a strict party man, is alto
gether the least Objectionable, from Re-
publican standpoint, of any one whose
| claims to that high Office were canvass ed
by the Democ ratio press of that State
previous to the meeting of the Legisla ture.
To com manding and dignitied presence
there is allied suavity, great learn ing, a
thorough knowledge of constitutional law
and parliamentary usage, honesty and a
consideration for the rights ana opinions OF
those opposed to him in politics, which
might with profit be initiated by those in
this distracted, White League ridden State
who claim to have sentiments and hold
political opinions in common with him.
Mr.. Mcdonald is upward Of fifty years of
age, and has filled many positions of honor
and trust in his State within the gift of his
party, and has invariably acquitted himself
with credit and distinction.
Previous to the year 1877 he enjoyed
lucrative law practice in and about Craw-
fordsville, Montgomery county, in the
western portion of the State, the seat of
Wabash College, where he resided; that
also being the home OF General Lew. Wal
lace, author Of "The Fair God" and of the
gifted Henry S. Lane, who succeeded the
notorious Jesse D. Bright in the United
States Sena te the first year of the war
1861. Besides holding minor offices, such
as county prosecuting attorney, etc, Mr..
Mcdonald represented his district one
crat, and serving during the years lS49 and
1850. His colleagues in Congress were
Nathaniel Albertson, Cyrus l.. Durham,
John L. Robinson, George w. Julian, Will
liam j. Brown, Edward w. McGaughey
Graham N. Fitch and Andrew j. Harlan
of Attorney General for the State, being
the second person who held that office in
that State. His term Of service was for two |
years, and was during the administration !
Of Governor Willard, the defense of whose !
brother-inlaw, Cook, one of old John |
Browns insurgents" at Harper's Ferry, in |
1853, gave a national reputation to Daniel |
w. voorhees,, one of Mr.. McDOnald's |
strongest competitors in the contest for the |
party nomination.
After his term as Attorney General ex-
pired, Mr.. Mcdonald remained in Indian
apolis. where he has since continued to re-
side, being the recipient of an extensive law
practice, which has brought him consider
able wealth. Whenever his party required
funds to start or to maintain an organ at
indianapolis, which has frequently been the
case since the war, Mr.. Mcdonald was ever
ready for the emergency, and always will
ngly came speedily to the rescue with his
purse in his hand. He has served his party
or long time past as chairman OF the
State Central Committee, and occupied that
position during the campaign in Indiana
asst fall. and takes considerable credit to
AihisVA ioA luC cuCCcsSIuI |
hereof, and Justly, perhaps. His strict
honesty is conceded by all parties in that
tate He was never anything but Demo
rat. Even the leading Republican paper
n the State. and the ablest the Indian,
polls Journal, while persistently opposing
is election as Senator, has deemed it but
lst and proper to compliment him
n his well deserved reputation for I'M
werving honesty. Singular as it may seem
1 this latitude, it is nevertheless, true, that |
Though born, bred and educated Demo
rat, he is a temperate man and never
illed "a niger in his life." He has always |
avored the earliest resumption OF specie
ayments consistent with the ability of the
overnment to maintain the same, and with I
le true business interests of the country I
large, and the just payment OF every :
oligation of the government, and he can |
1T be counted on as favorable to any raid |
! the treasury. He is not what might be |
mated an eloquent, but is rather
rcble and effective public speaker and
ady debater, dealing more in facts,
,ures and law than in fancies of the |
lagination and rhetoric, being argumenta- {
We, comprehensive and convincing. A
an Of great force Of character, intellectual c