The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-12
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Chapman Memorial Services Held
in the Senate Yesterday.
Important Bills Introduced-The Metropoh-
tan Police Resolutions and
Personal Matters.
IN MEMORY OF SENATOR CHAPMAN


Brown, and Others.
The specal order for the consideration of
the Senate at O'Clock yesterday afternoon
was the memorial exercises in honor of the
late Senator Chapman, of this county.
When the hour arrived, Mr.. Spann
moved that the courtesies of the floor
be extended to Mayor George W. Grubbs
who was a fellow-senator with General Chap
man, ana that he be allowed to make such
remarks as he may see fit which was agreed
to.
Mr.. Van Vorhis offered the following:
"Resolved That in the death of Senator
George H. Chapman. this Senate has lost an able
officer and valuable member, the people OF tne
State a conscientious representative, the state
most useful citizen, and the Nation patriot
and one of its bravest defenders"
In support of this resolution, Mr.. Van
Vorhis said;
Mr. President-senator George H. Chapman
born in Holland, Mass. Nov. % 1882 HIS
father was Jacob =. Chapman, who was Tor
several years prominently identified with the
= press of Indiana.
The late Senator received most Of his early
education in indianapolis in the Marion County
Seminary. At the age of fifteen he entered the
limited States Navy as midshpman, where he re
mained three years. In 1858 he connected
with his father in the publication OF paper
known as ''The Chantieleer," afterward as the
admitted to the bar in S57. Ii the same year he
was assistant clerk OF the House of Representa-
tives. In 1859 and 1860 he assistant clerk
of the lower house of the Thirty sixth and Thir-
ty-seventh Congresses, On Oct 81, 1861, after
the beginning of the war of the rebellion he was
appointed Major of the Third Indiana cavalry.
One yeaE alter he was commissioned lieutenant
colonel, and In less than five months more
colonel. On July 81, 1864 he promoted to
he brigadieT- general of volunteers. On March
ID, 1863. for meritOriOus conduct at the battle
of Winchester he WAS breveted maior-gener4 of
xaln A ftar he ri Of na war hP W a1
first appointed and afterward elected Judge of
the Marion Criminal Court. After the close of
his term of office as judge lie engaged in the prac-
nee or his profession IN thls clty In Ihe tall OF
1880 he was elected member of the State Sem
ate for the term ending in SS4-
He died at his residence in this city, on
the evening of the 10th day of June 1882.
Such, in brief, is the history of the public
life of man of whom iJ may be truth
fully said he won every distinction almost alone.
He was without influence, except what he gath
cred about him by a recognition OF his merits,
and this recognition his own conduct compelled
do not feel that am IN any sense qualified to
be his eulogist. Though representing the same
county in the last Senate, had from the election
IN 1880 not very Intimate personal acquant-
ance With General Chapman | knew MIN az
Won and as many others knew him, by the repu-
ratfon that he had made for himself | knew
him by the way in which he impressed himself
upon those who were moro intimately acquainted
with him than L. General Chapman cannot be
said to have been prepossessing III appearance.
Socially, he was retiring in manner To
stranger he did not always represent himself
well. But the warmth and strength of the
friendship entertained for him by those who were
his most in innate acquaintances and had oppor.
tunity to know him best, an index TO the
intensity of his intellect and che force of his
character He not only compelled recognition,
but la attached to him with warmth that was
unsual, even hearts well fntelleets. 1t
Is only by the words of such, to whom in social
life he had more fully revealed himself, that
was able tOjudge with any degree of fullness OF
those traits of character admirable in a
friend. Never in Lis society much until
the meeting OF the last Senate, was just begin
ming. through the associations there begun, to
feel anu APPRECIATE ais generous 5Inu kindly
lure when he died
General Chapman constituted that it
was impossible TO know him quickly. AssOcia-
ton with him. however never caused anv man
10 esteem him less; acquaintance with him al
ways increased respect for him.
His public life gave evidence OF his superior
ability. His knowledge of questions of public
interest was comprehensive and thorough.
Wherever he served he served wei, and whether
as citizen, soldier, lawyer, judge,
senator on this floor, his right to place In the
front rank was soon recognized He was digni-
ned. but was without ostentation. In his Opin-
ions he was independent, but was never intoler-
ant OF the opinions of others. Distinguished for
his bravery in military life, he no less dis
upgulshed for his moral courage in civil nfe.
That which lie believed TO be right he advocated
with the full strength of his clear intellect
er hesltating for one moment to number his sup
porters or to estimate the number weight of
Ills opponents He was man OF convictions,
and his convictions were formed Oy careful in
Vestlgat1on, and were the dictates Of an enlght
eheu Judgement No man In his deliberations an
peared to be less Influenced by personal consid-
trdliOhS UHdn ne, ana the course dictated
by his Judgment and conscience he
followed with religious fidelity and with singular
unselhshness. He was firm and steadfast IN his
Opinions and convictions, and persistent in his
advocacy of them, but he was not narrow; lie
Kept his mind open to receive the full force of
a position more willingly quickly than he
when convinced of error
He never prevaricated with his own under
STANDING He was frank, and at times outspokeu
almost to ofensiveness, but it was in the spirit
of eandor, and without IA touch of malice. He
was just In bis Judgments, and wss not much
influenced by prejudices, and his estimates of
Others were cOtOred by spirit OF true charity.
put lnsIncerity he could not and would not over
look lie was especially severe in his condem-
nation of anyone who occupied position of
, lnsincerity before the public. His attitude was
never uncef cain, and his position on any oues-
tlon never renamed long IN doubt. He was true
to his owD highest conceptions of right in all his
public life. With him, policy was bat another
name for the right, and OK pediency but another
name for duty. The slightest sacrifice OF prin-
ptple was price he never paid for prefernient
III he had follies-and who in all the earth has
not-the remembrance of them is made bright by
the memory of his victory over them. If he had
i int they We're never willfu and his splendid
virtues cover them as with mantle.
He mas left us the legacy of true life, and has
gone on before us; passed out Of sight beyond
The vail that marks the limit of human know
ledge, into the illimitabe fueure. And the por.
tails through which he disappeared are radient
with the hope of the Fathers house, of the re-
splendent glories of which it has not conferred
Into the heart OF man to conceive"
SENATOR FLErcHER's TRIBUTE
Senator Fletcher spoke as follows:
Sitting at this desk, decorated with these en-
blems OF sorrow, occupying this chair, made
vacant by the hand of death. aud representing
the same constituency. it seems fitting that the
first time address this Senate 1t should be in
acknowledging the worth and h0noring the mem
DRY OF Senator Chapman.
Upon the sudden death OF friend, the first
., outburst OF grief is like molten iron-it burns
y seethes and Kisses in our hearts; but when the
mass Is cooled by time, We may inspect It,
or shape it at our pleasure and
test its true value as 10 metal
A summers has warmed his grave; a win
ters snow now covers it; the first hot grief Is
cooled, and this memory of his clear, bright
character remains with us, an imperishable
monument. In touching upon his character
would adopt the plan of plain perspecuity OF