Helena weekly herald., 1877-10-18
COL. ARMSTRONG.
Miss0url's New U. s. Senator.
lGlobe Democrat, September 3Oth.l

lGlobe Democrat, September 3Oth.l
The news of the appointment of Col. D.
ID. Armstrong to seat in the United State
Senate, as successor to Mr.. Bogy, was tele
graphed to several persons and to the news
papers yesterday afternoon, and soon becam,
disseminated throughout the city. 1t was re-
ceived with great delight by the old, hard
shell Democrats, who recognized in Col
Armstrong the leader of the party in st
Louis. Others, who had used their influence
if they had any, IN favor OF less prominent
candidates, expressed dissatisfaction; and
denounced the Governor for his wantof judg.
ment in making the selection.
A Glo6e-Den0cr0t reporter, anxious to see
how the new Senator would bear his blush
ing honors, called at the Planters House at
tea time in the hope of being able to interview
the new Senator. Meeting Mr.. Kelsey, the
proprietor, the reporter inquired if COL Arm
strong was in the house.
Eyes, he is at supper, but will be out in a
few minutes
''He boards here still %
20, yes; the Colonel has made the Plan
ters' his home for many years.
'You must be gratifed at having one of
your old bOarders made United States Sena-
tor"
Eyes; he is good liver. and takes his
meals regularly. Here is a dispatch from
Mccarthy, of Jefferson, informing me Of the
Colonels appointment. He will be out in
few minutes"
The reporter read the dispatch from Nc
Calthy, and sat down and waited half an
hour for the Senator to come forth. Then
he became impatient and made push for the
supper-room, where he found Col. A., seated
ok <ch1 In snt tho ar 6od
by friends and chatting in pleasant manner
over the debris of hearty meal. Congratu-
lating the Colonel on his good fortune, the
reporter asked him if there was any doubt
about his appointment.
''Read that" replied Col. Armstrong, in
his crisp way, presenting folded telegram,
dated Jefferson City and addressed to him
self. The telegram was from N. K. McGrath,
Secretary of State, and simply said:
'sYour commission as United States Sena-
tor is on the way. MCGRATH."
''There is no mistake about that. Of course
you will accept?"
II haven't said anything about that" re-
piled the Senator, with an expression Of
countenance that said plainly, mot if know
myself"
pose?"
"Don't you remember l told you ten days
ago that nobody would know what the Gov
ernor would do-that he would not say a
word to anybody until it was done?"
Eyes, you said so. Do you know how
MANY applicants there were?"
"Well, there was delegation from st.
Joe, in favor of Craig, and one for Burns;
there was delegation from st. Louis for
there was delegation for Glo-
yer, and I don't know how many more"
ssWas there not one for Joe Br0Wn?"
sJoe Brown went up himself and staid
three days."
"Did not Dan. Taylor 60 up?"
''Yes, Dan. Taylor and bis crowd went up
and have not returned"
One of the party here put in: "You can
state that the locomotive that pulled Dan.
blew out cylinder head at Sedalia, and he
lid not arrive in time; otherwise things
would have taken different turn"
''Colonel, did the Governor commit himself
o % %you?": 49,. .o,,, ,,o,, b. ropo, oo,,m;t. him.
elf: he keeps his own, counsel until he gets
eady to act, and then he goes ahead without
airing whom he pleases or displeases. He
istened to the fellows that went to see him,
md treated them all politely, but gave them
10 hint of what was coming"
"Well, I suppose when you get to WASH
ngton you'll be just the same sort of ON old
Democrat that you have always been here
ne of the strict constructionists.
'sYou may bet on that"
The party arose from the tea table and
auntered toward the Office, where crowd
ad assembled to congratulate the Senator.
ol Armstrong bore pseif with more thar
is usual modesty, and q short time with
rev from the throng and retired to his
pom.
Col. Armstrong is native of Nova Scotia
nd of Scotch parentage. He was born ii
312, and came to St. Louis just forty year
20. For many years he was teacher IL
le public schools of the city. Hes took 81
;tive part in polioo and was elected Comp
oller, and was kerwagds appointed Post
aster under Fillmore. During the war hi
1mpathies were with the South. and, bein
in his sentiments, was arrested
Id sentenced to Punishment for disloyalty
he sentence was annulled, however, as
Tense consisted only of imprudent word
I'd no overt act was charged against hin
n the return of peace he found his party
hopeless minority, but he did not despal
I'd kept up the organization of the Cent?
through every discouragement.
no, when the Republican party became
ded and placed in the field two sets OF ca
dates for State officers, COL Armstrong.
gurated the ''passixe policy" and had t
tisfaction of seei1g the State pass into
.nds of the Democrats He was ne1
popular man with the masses, and seldt
n for Office. He was, however, elected
e Charter Convention, and YVES sub
ently appointed Police Commissioner
A Model Address.
The widow of President Polk was visi
Nashville by the members of the Scient