The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-22
MEMBERS OF TIE HOUSE.
Brief Discursiye Observations on the
characteristics of Some of Them.
Their Merits, Their Rank Of Prominence or
COnspicuity, and Their Distinguishing
Personal Traits as Legislators.

resentatives whom the fifty fourth biennial
A3eneral Assembly has brought prominently be-
fore the people Of the State Charles L. Jewett,
the Speaker stands head and frontr-in view
of the political following that he represents the
original Of the phrase may with some fitness be
completed-''of the offending" He first
came 10 the surface Of public atten-
4ion two years ago, as member OF
the House He was then known as ''the
gentleman from Scott county, and from the
FIRST day of his appearance on the floor, although
among the youngest members, and unknown to
the fame of the State capital, he was recognized
as one Of the ablest representatives of the Demo-
cratic party, and he took rank among the lead
ere He evinced more ability and moro sagacity
in the policy of the course which he pursued than
the more partisan members who ranked as his
peers. But he was regarded as q triie too con-
servative to WELD controlling infu-
ence. He is. In some degree evidently
. fatalist a believer in destiny, as in his
conversation he frequently speaks of men who
have risen from obscurity to political promi-
nence because they were destined to, not because
they evinced extraordinary or commanding abil-
tiles Once on the highway of prominence, he
seems to believe that there is a royal road to
success. When the Legislature adjourned, two
years ago, as a young man who had achieved
some passing prominence, he returned to his
home with the apparent probability of sinking
into the same ohscnrity that ninety nine out of
every one hundred members of the
Legislature go back into. The course
that he afterwards pursued, however,
shows his ambitious spirit, and the
faith that he has in himself. He left rural Scott
county, the place of his small beginning, and
moved into New Albany, amore populous center,
where he at once entered upon successful law
this year as member of the House, is elected
Speaker becomes the leader, the dictator of the
Democratic representatives is talked of as q
candidate for Governor in 1883, and is even sug-
6ested as a possible choice Of his party for
United States senator two years hence He is
andomitably ambitious, and while he may
not be a United States senator two years
hence, nor a candidate for Governor in 1885, he
Is unquestionably the most promising member of
che Democratic party among the younger men
in Indiana He has great force of character,
and possesses the abilities of leader. He is O
capable presiding officer. and is generally dis
posed to be fair in his rulings, although he
takes unlicensed privileges III suggesting and
debating to his followers what should or
should not be done. having saved them, by
interposing suggestions from the chair
ON On pending questions ,d from I max.
the session. There has been no objection to
thisunprivileged proceeding until he reprimanded
the members for their Incidence on last Tues
day and then it was thought very reprehensible
by some of the men who had been benefited by
Sc in other ways He has arisen to prominence
Nnder rather adverse circumstances. 1t is said
that while studying law, as ofice-bo he was
compelled, from lack of means, to sleep on the
floor which he swept every morning, and that
he obtained his education under very trying diff
fculties. In personal appearance he is what the
ladies would call handsome man. He pos
seSSes a fine physique, a full round face, a
rather large and symmetrical head. blue eyes. Of
an uneasy expression, and semi-blonde mus
taeh8 of prosperous growth.
George A. Adams, the representative froTn
Morgan, whose name stands first on the roll
cali. Is recognized as among the foremost mem
bers of the House. He was the caucus nominee
of the Republicans for Speaker. and he is one of
the leaders of the minority side of the House.
He has the appearance of man whom one
would instinctively suppose might be entitled to
the appellation Of 'iudge"-a full, clean shaved
face, broad head. and withal calm, Judicial
expression OF countenance. He is, however,
u
situated legislator being of thirty FIVE other
members who vote hopelessly against over
whelning majority. AS a speaker, he is i'm
pressively earnest. uses rather strong language
and underscores it.
A man who is about as conspicuous in the
debates as any member on the floor of the House
AZ John X. Gordon, representative from Putnam.
he is somewhat above the medium in height,
and Is an exceptional figure in the personnel Of
che House from the fact that he has red hair
even down to the tip of his chin. He talks well,
not eioquently or impressively bat too much.
He has made several very creditable speeches.
but his remarks will generally read better than
they sound. His voice is not bad but as critical
listener remarked few days ago, while he was
Gelivering speech. he talks as if he were being
paid for the time that he occupies. He hasn't
tho impressive earnestness of forcible speaker.
It is chiefly due to his efforts thas the proposed
$4,000 appropriation to the State University
was reduced to $50. 900. He also vigorously op-
posed the claim of Mrs. May for $40, 900, but was
not successful in defeating it. He is graduate
of DePauw University, and the university seems
TO be rather proud of him.
Warren ID. Sayre, the representative from
Wabash and Kosciusko, rs one of the ablest
men In the House. He was in the Senate in
1881 and 1883, and was one of its best members.
At distance-but mark the distance-he looks
like a good Presbyterian deacon of easy DISPOSE
tion. The hair on the top of his head a rather
prominent dome. is pretty well thinued out and
pair OF gold trimmed spectacles rest continually
IN his nose, giving him the appearance of more
advanced age than he has reached. He is slow
and calm in his speech, and he is always likely
TO say something surprising at unexpected times.
He has rather droli. quaint manner and in a
quiet way he can max ~ssrenchant observations
There is generally point in what he says, ana
there is no man in the House who is given more
attentive audience when he rises to speak.
Samuel III. Taylor, of Daviess, is a recognized
leader On the Democratic side. He is a strict
partisan, and he keeps the interests of the Demo
cratic party in view at all times He commands
following by cracking the party whip. He is
chairman of the judiciary committee, and has,
therefore. been one Of the quiet workers. He is
not prominent as a speaker although he fire.
quently rises to make remark or an ex-
PLANTATION Of a vote, simply as word to those Of
Dis party who are not WISE He has n dignified
bearing on the floor, which fits him more easily
than the assumed dignity of the average chance
statesman, and he is rather fine looking man.
Among those who have made notably credita-