New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-07-12
THOMAS ANDREWS HENDRICKS.

The name of Hendricks was prominent in Indiana
and National politics before the present Demo-
cratic candidate for Nice-Presldent came on the
stage An uncle of Thomas Andrews Hendricks was
prominent in the convention which framed the con-
stitution of that State was its second Governor,
and served two terms i'll the United States Senate.
Thomas was born near GAINESVILLE, Ohio, September
7,lSl9; but the following year the family moved
into Indiana locating at Madison, then the leading
city of the State. They were III easy clrcum-
stances. and the Senator's nephew received col
legiatc education. ThomaSs father was noted for
his social grace and hospitality, and was cOnSpcu-
Gus in the Presbyterian Church; and these clrcum-
stances left an impress on the young mans char
actcr.
MFR. Hendricks entered he legal profession and
politics almost simultaneously. In the former he
soon proved himself a ready debater His first
service in the latter was the stump for Polk IN
1914. In the State constitutional convention of
1880 he opposed free banking. The next year be
went to Congress when the country was aGitated
by the proposed repeal of the Missouri COM
promise Mr. Hendricks seems to have been
greatly IN doubt which way to vote. Personally,
he is believed TO have opposed TINS injurious meas
ure but the pressure of the administration, Whch
proriSed offices to all Northern members who lost
their seats on this account led hln 10 Vole IOf IL.
At the next election his constituents retired hIm 10
private life, after his second term Mr IleIce ns
made him Commissioner OF the General Land once.
Ia this position. he was among tho Drst ederal
officers 10 make political assessments upon Govern
ment employees HIS political speeches ON the
Tecompton Constitution and other subj ects excited
the comment that he could talk for an hour without
any one discovering which side he favored. In -
he ran for Governor of Indiana aud was defeated
He then resumed his law practice IN indianapolis
Winning high reputation as jury lawyer.
Dming the wal period he was cOnspicu0us among
the Democrats who dld NOS Ipholo inc edeI la
and uas he a
with the large "cOpperhead" element Ia Indiana.
I'm 1862 presiding over state convention, ne Sc
yerely denounced tho war party. lie was elected
next wear to the United States Senate by what is
known as 1.-THE rebel legislature In TINS can,
vass he made numerous speeches which gave ald
and comfort 10 the enemy. In the Senate Chamber,
he opposed the repeal of the Fugitive Slave law
and the Constitutional amendment abohshlng
slavery lie claimed that tho seeding States were
still IN the Union.
Mr.. Hendricks was a candidate for Presidential
honors in 1865, his chief Western rival being MI.
Pendleton. In the National Convention that year
Mr.. Idon threw the vote of New-lork Tor Hen
dricks at a critical moment. Thereafter the
Hoosier senator became closely identified with ne
GIeenback movement. and he opposed the OH
guaranteeing the payment of the Natlohai dePt III
coin I'm 1870 he was elected Governor OF INDIANA
for the four years beginning the next January, as
chairman of DEMOCRATIC StateNohNeu'IohIh Ao'f'
he dcnreated leCislating for resumption. ,
In Is76 he was nominated for Nice-Presldent be-
cause Of his imitation views and popular III
Indiana. In the campaign no Is SAID 10 nave eh-
pressed ANNOYANCE that Iilden did not consult him
more and in 1879 in a card over his own sigma
ture he declared he would moi again take tho sec
ond place On lilden ticket. In 1850 his iteration
of the fraud or, gave him the State delegation
.omnaly although the latter was favorable to
Mcdonald As result third man. English, was
put the National ticket To represent Indiana
Mr.. Hendricks is an Episc0paian. has capable
snp ambitious wife, possesses large means. and Is
= ming IN his manners He - tall and we'll
formed, and his personal life Is said TO 10 ABOVE
eproach.
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