Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-12-22
a sENATOws REMINIscENcEs.

An Indianapolis Qnd.) letter gives
the particulars OF an interview held with
Ex United States Senator Thomas A.
Hendricks. During the interview Mr..
Hendricks gave interesting reminis-
cences Of some of the prominent men
whom he had met in the Senate. He
said:
Many senator's whom / met at that
time were men of marked qualities Mr..
Collamer, of Vermont, was one OF the
most ingenious and plausible debaters
have ever heard. He was then a sena.
tor, greatly respected, and exercised a
decided influence in his character and
policy he was decidedly conservative.
Mr.. Anthony, of Rhode Island, who
is yet in the Senate, was then in the
prime of his manhood, courteous and
elegant in his manner, never giving
offense, always devoted to his party,
and very successfully taking charge of
its interest.
1 met with no man in the senate
whose qualities interested me more
than Mr. Buckalew, of Pennsylvania.
He was modest and retiring, but when
called out by duty, debater Of rare
ability, philosophic in his habits of
thought, not combative, punctilious,
holding a strong position aud exer-
cising much influence in the Senate.
During his term he prepare d a very in
teresting work, outside Of his sena-
iorial labors, on the subject OF "AIinor-
ity or Proportional Representation" II
Is the ablest work on that subject that
has come to my knowledge. Mr., Buck
alew was singularly retiring modest
and democratic in his habits.
His colleague, Mr.. Cowan, was al ways
listened TO with interest. He was n
dashing debater, and came into any
controversy when Il was at tho highest,
and was able to maintain himself against
much odds. He came into the Senate
4 Republican, but became very restless
under party discipline.
One of the most interesting characters
in the Senate Of that day was Garrett
Davis He was war Democrat from
Kentucky. / think be was the most
fearless debatcT ever heard-not al.
ways the most eausiderate for tho cause
he advocated.
Dir. Doolit.le. Of Wisconsin, wag per.
hars the finest orator in tho Senate.
During the FIRST part Of tho wae nc was
a conservative Republican. By his con.
vicsions Of right, and by extreme hos
iility on the part OF others TO his po.i,i-
cal position, be was carried into the
ranks Of the Democratic party, and be-
came one Of tho strongest advocates Of
the Democratic cause. As q friend be
was sincere, as an associate charming.
Mr. Fossenden was then at the height
Of his very distinguished career l
think Maine has never been 50 ably re.
presented in the Senate. As q dcbater
be vas very remarkable quietly, st.en.
lively, he listened TO those opposed to
him until he appreciated exactly the
field Of the fight; then, without note.
book or authority, he made his reply so
clearly that he could not be u4isunder.
stood, and I never knew him % leave a
point unanswered. I do not mean that
his answer was always successful, but
Il was always able. He was one OF tho
great men of his party, and held great
influence until he found himself com.
PEELED 70 separate from il in bis vote
against the impeachment Of Andrew
johnson.
Governor Gfimes represented the
Stale Of Iowa. Ineyer saw purcr man
in public life. The influenco Of his
able and excellent administration as
governor Of Iowa did much TO estab.
lish The State permanently a. a Repub.
lican STATE. He, too, separated from
his party on the impeachment question.
John p. Hale, of Maine, was very
much observed at the timo / went into
the Senate and very much spoken of.
He vas brilliant man, but not .
student, as I thought and he had come
70 repeating himself.
aTr. Henderson was young senator
from Missouri, goodslawyer, \ strong
debator, and very sincere in his convio-
tions. He also separated from the Re-
publican patty on the impeachment
question.
Reyerdy johnson was The abiest
lawyer 10 The Senate. have never
heard any one who SO readily, and with.
ont special preparation, announced his
legal Propositions aud supported them
by exact reference 70 the authorities.