The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-13
HON. JOSEPH E. MCDONALD.
A Condensed Biography of the Demo
cratic Ex-senator.
Regarded as More Than Presidential Pos
sibility-His Early Life and His
Political Career.

Three years ago at tue Olnclnndll OOiNoh
ton the Democrats of Indiana presented the
name of Mr.. Hendricks. When it became
apparent that he could not be nominated,
several delegations rendered to the Indianians
their support for Senator Joseph =. Melon
aid, providing Nj; Hendricks should be with
drawn Mr.. Mcdonald was delegate to the
convention, and he refused to allow any such
arrangement, unless by Mr.. Hendricks con-
sent. The latter was telegraphed to, but upon
the representations of William H. English
that he would surely be nominated, re-
fused to surrender his claim, and General
Hancock was put in the field. Mr.. Hen
drickss chief supporter, Mr.. English, was
named for Vice president, but thus sop was
not enough to keep Indiana from giving the
Republicans majority in October, and
thereby practically electing General Garfield.
Since then Mr.. Mcdonald has left the Senate,
and is now confessedly one of the most prom
inent candidates for his party nomination
next year. The Indiana delegation will be
for HIM. Reports of trouble between HIM
self and Mr. Hendricks are false, if both par
ties can be trusted and Senator Voorhees,
and other leading Democrats hitherto OPP
posed to him admit his success. The delega-
tions from the Northwestern States, from
Mississippi and other Southern States are
claimed for him as a certainty, and
with a show of justice judging by the
expressions of those who ought to know.
To-day, in the latitude of Washington, Mr.
Mcdonald is thought to be something more
than possible winner at the Democratic
convention. He makes no concealment of
! his desires in that direction, and visit which
J he made here during the winter, for CONSUL
/ tation with Democratic congressman, showed
J that he possesses strength not generally con-
: ceded to him. He has men in all the States
\ vigorously az work for him. who are in earn
= est, and understand the value of organiza-
y ton. Probably no other candidate is receiv-
Il ing the benefit of so we'll directed effort. Its
y results will appear in proper time
n To most people, Mr.. Mcdonald is known
~ hardly at all outside of his six years of sena-
torial life, which come to him as one of the
results Of Democratic success in 1874. Prior
to that he had a local celebrity and a popu-
larity which makes him known throughout
Indiana, among the older men as 10 Nc
Donald, and as Uncle 10" among the
younger. His six feet figure inelining now
bit to stoutness the big feet and hands,
his large head, covered with brown hair fast
turning to gray, his reddish face, smoothly
shaver except for heavy nustache, and
his gruf, hearty voice and hand-shake,
make up personality which is known in
every hamlet in that State. Indiana is
proverbiallya land of politicians, but none
of them have succeeded in gaining the conf
dence of the masses more than he. The Nc
Donald family settled in Ohio soon after
ltbe Revolution. It is now widely spread
through that and the neiqbboring States
clinoins still tn those stern Scotch Preshv.
lferian IDEAS which have always been cher
ished by that class. Mr.. Mcdonald was born
not quite sixtv-four years ago in Butler ceuu-
ity Ohio, and was taken to Indiana in child
hood When hut A bow the death of his
father left the family moor. and he was an
lnrenticed To a saddler at LAFAYETTE He
served three years in that capacity studving
at all opportunities. Then he attended two
wears at the Asbury University. left before
Graduation in order to studv law and in
1S43 was finally admitted to the bar. His
course up to that time had awakened the in
terest of his neghbors and that very wear he
was elected. by the Democrats. prosecuting
attorney for the Charlottesville circuit. II
was an unexpected complimeut but the
Young ATTORNEY made the most OF his oppor-
tunity. succeeding so we'll that he was re-
elected His nractice had grown 60 LARGO
that he declined ;nES47 to serve lonqer hut
the next wear was elected to Congress in an
overwhelming Whie district Two wears la
ter he was beaten. but in 1855 was taken IN
by his party and elected Announcement of
the State. In 1860 the Republicans made a
clean sweep. which cost HIM this Mace INT
not until he had won a position at the bar
which has never since been lost During the
war he was a consistent Union man. and did
much against the various secret organiza-
tions which were formed by Indiana Demo
Gratis in aid of the rebels. This gave him in
1864 the nomination for Governor against
Oliver p Morton. followed bv inevitable
defeat. From that time he kept aloof from
politics for some years. but was active in on
posing the greenback heresv, and in 1873
was the unanimous choice of his party for
senator. In the Senate he served on the iu-
dietary committee. of which he was the seq
ond member when his term closed, and in
other positions for which his legal knowledge
was required. Some excellent speeches are
credited to him, and he earned general
reputation for economy and careful iegisla-
tion. which will stand him in good stead if