The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-29
LOWER HOUSE STATESMEN.
Some of Indiana's Representatives Who
Have Been Noticeably Prominent.
Their Characteristic PeculiaTities, and Their
Merits as Legislators and Speakers, as
Judged from DesultOry Observation.

The most conspicuous man in the lower house
Of the Indiana General Assembly is David S.
Gooding the member from Hancock There is
about six feet of him, and he seldom sits. He
usually attends the sessions in the rather
gorgeous attire of claw-hammer coat and he
wanders up and down the aises of the House
with a measured pace, his hands locked behind
him, looking important and statesmanlike.
lie is studiedy conspicuous. He generally
fails to vote during the roll-cal and rises after
wards to request that his name shall be- called
again. He then inquiries what the question is,
and after the Speaker has stated it especially for
his information, he turns his eyes to the ceiling,
as if to reflect a moment before voting. This
proceeding has an impressive effect upon the
visitors Although the reading-clerk of the
House has a voice that could be heard from the
opposite side of mountain, the Hancock states
man often, when important bills are being read,
stands conspicuously near him, with his hand to
his ear, looking impressively thoughtful. 1t was
supposed that Mr.. Gooding would be prominent
AS leader Of the Democratic members of the
House AS the rival candidate of Jewett for
the speakership, he had asmall following, but his
Influence has become wholly negative, and his sup
the interest of any measure. He is blatant
political demagogue of the most transparent
character and is man of inordinate egotism.
He has been hanging on the ragged edge
rof political prominence for many years,
and is veritably a chronic candidate. It
ds said that he now imagines himself
"a candidate for United States senator
two years hence, for the reason that there is no
else left in the Democratic party big enough
aor the place. He has some ability as speaker
but there are q dozen or more men in the House
who are his peers in debate and his superiors in
acute mental vigor. In speaking he Stimulates
the mannefisms of Vice president Hendricks, and
his affectation is ridiculously apparent.
One of the most interesting members Of the
House to visitors is j. NJ Townsend, of Wayne,
She colored representative. His seat is in the
front row, between DIR. Mauk, also from Wayne,
and Representative Fleece of Hendricks. He
has few of the distinguishing features of the At
Gican. His color is only shade or two darker
than that of the Spainard; his hair is as straight
and long as any Caucasian would care to wear,
and he has the manners of refined gentleman.
He is modest and unobtrusve in his de-
meanor, and rarely rises to speak un
less the question under discussion in
some way affects the rights of his
q
may we'll be proud of. He is we'll educated and
is a man of exceptional intelligence He
speaks with much fervor, and makes favorable
impression. He is preacher, and has per
formed important work i'll the denomination to
which he belongs He has no ambition politi-
cany further than promoting the interests of his
race to which he is thoroughly devoted
Thomas Hoban, the representative from
Shelby, is one of the unique characters of the
House. He has been called the Cabbage of the
Legislature. Cabbage is the name of the man
who is additionally known the most stupid
representative ever in the House. There
others however, to whom this distinction more
properly belongs than to Mr. Hoban. He has,
doubtless, been judged with premature harsh
ness by his illiteracy He doesn't know much
about photography, and he gives thoroughly
original pronunciation to some words, but be-
meath these misfortunes there are merits which
entitle him to charitable consideration, although
he is not an exemplary legislator. He is
backwoodsman and in small way he
Us the Davy Crockett of the House. With the
polish of an education he would probably be in
fnitely the superior of the Hancock representa-
tive. He has crude ideas about legislation, and
this bunders often laughable, but in principle
he is generally about as near right as many of
those who laugh at him. He is not conspicuous
as speaker, but he frequently tries to explain
his votes, nearly always prefacing his remarks
with an inquiry if he is right in his understand
ing of the question. The whole House turns
listening to whatever he has to say, and his
laughter. He is imperturbably grave, and
whether he blundefs or says good thing. as he
sometimes does, his expression of countenance
rs unchangingly serious.
William NJ. Copeland, of Jefferson, is one of
the most prominent of the younger members,
and he is generally regarded as about the hand
soonest man in the House. He was a member
two years ago, and was rather prominent on the
but he expresses himself with vigorous
phasis when re does talk He has a
voice of unusual power, and it is expressive of
his disposition and character. His tendency is
to use strong adjectives, and many of them He
is about twenty six or twenty seven years old,
has an admirable physique, head that would
cali for rather fiattering chronological chart,
distinguished looking naustache and imperial,
and healthful bronzed complexion. He is often
pointed out to the lady visitors. He is rather
bashful in their presence, bat is hopeful bache-
Cor
The wag of the House is a sober-looking young
man, of Teutonie marks, who may generally be
found about the courtroom, making observations
of sarcastic nature on some member or plot
ting with coterie of his co-conspirators some
scheme for relieving the monotony of dreary leg
islatiye session. The select coterie is known as
the ''Queer Quartet and is composed of Mar
host and Edward Schmitt, with Martin
Kruger as the shiring light Kruger
is young man of more than
ordinary abilities who doesn't seem to be very
much impressed with the greatness of lower
house craftsmanship He is very bright is dis
posed TO be quite sarcastic, is quick to perceive
the shams of mans character and has an I'M
compromising hatred for affectation. He has,
during the session, shown that he possesses the
abilities of good speaker, hut he has done little
talking on the floor of the House. He evidently
became member of the Legislature to crafty
a propensity for having fun, and there is proba-
bly, no one who has got satisfaction out
of it, although his pleasure has, in measure,
been the misery of others.
Thomas L. Boyd, the representative from
Hamilton county, is the gentleman who was the
Republican member of the committee which in
yestigated the Soldiers Orphans Home and the
Asylum for Feeble minded Children, and who
distinguished himself somewhat by his speech in
the House on the abuses which had been prac-
tieed in the institution. Although he was a
soldier in the late war, he doesn't look older than
thirty years. He has the appearance of a man