The daily gazette., 1876-07-01
THOMAS A HENDRICKS.

Gov. Hendricks, the democratic nos
minee for Vice President, was born in
Muskingum county, Ohio, on the 7tb
of September, 1919, and his father re. -.
moved the family to Shelby count
Indiana, when the Governor was b,
three years old, so that he belongst
both those great States, in which. a.
we'll as in tie whole country, he is of
commanding respect and influence
He had the advantage of liberal edu-
cation, and graduated from college in
1S41. In 1S43 he graduated at law in
Chambersburg, Pa, and at once re.
turned to Indiana, where he built up
for himself lucrative practice of his
profession, in which he is remarkable
for legal lore. eloquence and astuteness
He served in succession as member
of the Indiana Legislature, the State
constitutional convention. Congress
and the United States Senate. He was
also commissioner of the general land
office, and is now Governor of Iadi>
ana. While in the Senate he held the
highest rank among Senators for his
answering devotion to the principles
of his party and the best interests of
ali the people, particularly being dis
tinguished for the boldness and frank
ness with which he maintained his
opinions on leading subjects. No
Senator was more persistent in oppo-
sition to measures subverslve of State
government, TO test oaths. to the civil
rights bill, the freedmen's bureau
abortion, and to all similar legislas
tion.
No better evidence of his high posi-
tion can be given than the fact that in
1868 he led all other candidates for the
presidential nomination, receiving the
combined vote of New York aud the
Northwest; and failed to receive the
nomination only because of the staml
pede of the Ohio delegates, who, fail
ing to secure their own candidate, de-
termined that no other Western man
should be nominated. lie is committed
to the theory that gold and silver are
the true basis of our currency, and
that the only proper means of specie
resumption is the development OF
Southern resources, increase of pro"
ducts, and retrenchment of govern
ment expenses.
| On questions of State policy Mr-
Hendricks has shown mastery know"
ledge but there is one matter upon
which he has ever been especially So
licitous. namely. the school system
of Indiana. AS member of the con.
stitutional convention. he was active
in securing ample provision for pOpu-
lar education, and placing its support
beyond the vicissitudes OF politics.
Impressed with the value of the work
then accomplished, he has since re-
peatedly insisted upon the most anx.
ious watchfulness oyer the growth
and perfection of the system, and re-
laxed in its favor his democratic pre- :
judices towards strict construction
ard economy.
Gov. Hendricks is man of medium
height and symmetrical form. He is
erect, active and vigorous. His face
is manly and handsome. The features
are large and expressive, and while
there is a soft, good humored express
sion 10 the large blue eyes and in the
mouth and dimpled chin, the brow,
forhead and full heavy jaw show wis.
dom and resolution. His complexion is
horid, and his hair and side whiskers
are yet untouched with gray. He
looks like one who has lived a happy
life, encountered no great SORROWS and
yielded to no great vices. Though he
has for years been taught to regard the
presidency as within his grasp, his
ambition has been rather sort of ra>
tional longing for his disposition is as
sunny as his complexion, and in social
life he is great favorate;to acquaint-
ances he is atrable and easy, to close
friends warm and lovable to political
partisans courteous but cautious. He
would rather conciliate an enemy than
oblige an ally. His habits are such
that he found $4,000 year ample for
his expenditures during his senatorial
term ut Washington. His voice is a
thin tenor, and has nothing imposing
in its tones, but is audible to great
distance when he speaks with earnest
ness. One of the features of his career
has been the long rivalry between
him and Morton-a rivalry in which
the bitterness was all on one side. Mr..
Hendricks Is an Episcopalian. His
wife is woman of great culture and
force of character-one formed to be
a mans comrade in the path OF honor
rather than a source of temptation
They have no children.