The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-07-07

A Biographical sketch-His Views on the
Money Question.

dent of the United States, was born in
Muskingum county, Ohio, September z,
1919. His father removed to Shelby
county, Indiana, when Thomas was only
three years old, and the latter has ever
since resided In Indiana, having been
for many years past one Of her most
popular and respected citizens. He Is
emphatically "a favorite son" OF In
diana, and we'll does he deserve to be so
considered. He received a liberal edu-
cation, graduating at Harvard College
in 1871. He studied law at Chambers
burg. Pa, was admitted to the bar in
1843, and soon rose TO "a high rank in his
profession. In l848 he was elected to
the State Legislature, and declined re-
election. He was chosen member OF
the Constitutional Convention of 1850,
and took an active part in it's deibera-
tions. In the fall of 1850 he was sent to
Congress from the Indianapolis Dis
trict. and was reelected in 1859.
| After the expiration OF his second
| term in Congress he was appointed Com
missioner Of the General Land Office by
| President Pierce, and was continued In
office by President Buchanan. He re-
| signed in 1859, and returning to Indiana
was the Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor i'm 1860, against Henry >. Lane,
but was defeated by small majority.
Lane was elected TO the United States
Senate in 1861, and Oliver L. Morton,
who was elected Lieutenant Governor
! in 1860, succeeded to the Goyernorshlp.
In 1862 the Democrats carried Indiana,
eectng u Democratic Legislature, ana
| Mr.. Hendricks was chosen to the united
States Senate for the term ending
March 3, 1869 During his term as Sen
ator he served on the Committees on
| Claims. Public Buildings and Grounds,
the Judiciary, Public Lands, and Naval
| Affairs.
| Mr.. Hendricks made national repu-
| tation while in the Senate, and was
recognized leader of the minority. The
| hold he had upon his party was shown
in the National Convention Of 1868 at
| New York, when at one time he led all
other candidates for the nomination Tor
the Presidency, and in all probability
would have eventually received the
nomination II it had not been for the
Pendleton movement in behalf OF The
nomination of Horatio Seymour, OF New
| York. The same year he was noml-
mated a second time for Governor OF In
diana by the Democracy, and although
the State went Republican two years
previously by majority OF 14,202, he
was only defeated by 961 on the then
heaviest vote ever cast in the State.
After his retirement from the Senate, in
| 1869. he returned to Indianapolis ana
resumed the active practice OF his pro-
fession.
In 1872. after the nomination of Gree
lev for President. the Democracy OF In
diana again demanded Of Mr. Hendricks
that he lead it in the State contest, and
nominated him for Governor against his
earnest protest. The result showed his
immense strength in the State. On an
unprecedentedly large vote he was
elected over Gen. Tom Browne, the Re
publican candidate, by majority OF
l148. although every other candidate on
the Democratic ticket was defeated, with
the exception Of the Superintendent Of
Public instruction. The Republicans
carried the Legislature at the election.
The result on Governor and State Oil
GERS was not known for three or four
DAYS. and while waiting for the YER
dict" Mr. Hendricks, whose equanimity
was in no way disturbed, suggested to O
friend, II wonder If / am always to just
miss being Governor of Indiana
There is no doubt that Gov. Hendricks
would have been sent to the Senate in
1875. as the successor of Senator Pratt,
If the Democrats had elected their full
State ticket in 1872, but the fact that the
Governorship would be filled by a Re-
publican Lieutenant Governor rendered
the choice Of Gov Hendricks out Of the
question. His administration has been
able, conscientious and highmiDded.
BY his decisive action, after the regular
session OF the Legislature OF 1875 came
to an end with much of the public bust
ness unfinished, owing to deadlock
between the two houses, he saved q
great deal Of expense to the people. The
session closed on Saturday night, and
on Monday the Governor issued his
proclamation reassembling the Legis-
lature on Tuesday. be suggested that
although the members had right &c
stay forty days, it would be better fol
them to finish their work within week
as they could very readily. The sug
gestion was followed, and the unfinished
work was completed before the close OF
the week.
Governor Hendricks presided over the
Democratic State Convention held al
Indianapolis in July, 1874, and in his
address on taking the chair argued thai
gold and silver were the true basis o1
the currency, and that the true method
of returning to specie payments was
| through the growing up process-tht
development of the resources Of the
South, the increase OF production anC
the retrenchment of public and private
expenditures. He also took occasion
during the canvass to define distinctly
nancial doctrines proclaimed by the
, convention and his own opinions.
Gov. Hendricks went into the canvass
in Ohio in 1875 in support OF Gov. Allen
although he did not assent to the finan
cial plank in the platform. 1t was bis
action in that canvass, together with
the fact that the imitation sentiment mac
+ prevailed extensively in Indiana, anc
, his own conciliatory disposition, thai
7 have given rise to the impression thai
, the Governor is what is known as 6
, "soft-money" man. The following ex
tract from his speech before the indiana
State Convention OF 1874-made at &
time when initiation was most rampant
shows the views entertained by him
4We desire a return to specie payments 1t IL
a serious evil when there are commercial me
diums of different values when one description
, of money liz for one class and purpose and an
2 other for a different class and purpose. Wecan
3 not too strongly express the importance Of thu
t..xn torn ffx.rp rTft aLIfnf