The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-10
The Disadvantages Under Which the
Democratic Majority Will Labor.
Men with Patronage at Their Disposal At
tackled by Newspaper Black -Mailers-Op-
position to the Presidents Silver Views.
THE INDIANA DELEGATION.
Who They Are and What They Expect to Do
for Their Constituents.

w WASHlNGION, DeC o-1k III Is tTuc, TOpOlV-
ed, that the rules of the House are to be so
amended that it will be impossible for any one
man any set of a few men to blockade or de-
feat the consideration of measures, great deal
of actual work may be expected from the In.
diana delegation during the present session.
The Hoosier State sent remarkably bright del
egation to the Forty seventh Congress, an1 had
it not been for the lameness of the rules they
would have done very great deal for their con-
stituents The delegation in the last House was
also a very able one, but there has been a change
O: two for the better by the last general election.
The delegation of thirteen members is composed
of four Republicans and nine Democrats the
former being General Browne, of the Richmond
district; Major Steele, of Marion; Mr. Owen, of
Logansport and Mr.. Johnston, of Rockville.
General Browne, by his long experience in
Congress, his age and pre- eminent ability as a
lawyer and statesman, of course, stands out
most conspicuously in the delegation. The prob
ably fatal illness of his wife is likely to keep
him from his seat good deal of the time-for
at least few weeks, if not during the entire
session-and he will be unable to perform many
of those duties which he is anxious to take hold
of. He will have a bill in the House to provide
fer public building at Richmond, and numer-
Gus other measures of almost equal local i'm
portance, while ne al ways presents for consider
alton measures of general Importance which
attract the attention of the whole House and
the country. Should he be required to be alb
sent much of his tlme he will be very greatly
missed by the Republican members who depend
SO much upon him in the general debates.
Major Steele, of Marion, will, as usual, take
intense interest in measures relating to the well
fare of soldiers, their widows and orphans.
These people have no better friend in Congress
than Ma jor Steele. From his very induction into
that body he has been wide awake for soldiers
interests, also those of every class of his con-
stituents When the Republicans were in the
majority, and the administration was under their
control, Major Steele had the reputation in
Washington of taking as good care of his Office
seeking constituents as any man in public life.
He is of very positive character, is true and
truthful friend and never forgets kindness
done him in his campaigns. He is considered
the very best authority on military affairs ard
as member of that committee in the House
takes high rank. If there is anything in justice
in the minds of the majority members of this
House the constituents of Major Steele may ex-
pect some good and effective work from him du-
ring the session.
Mr.. Owen, of Logansport has made quite a
good impression upon those he has met here,
and his colleagues predict for him very useful
public career. He is modest and unassuming
but very energetic, and possessed of splendid
practical ability. 1t is said that he is a good
speaker and very able worker. He said to the
Journal correspondent, the other day. that he
did not think it was the duty of a new member
to consume much time the floor of the House
if he could be at work in his committee room
or elsewhere for his constituents. Mr. Owen
undoubtedly has popular idea, and the right
one, too, of the place he is to occupy, and he
will occupy it to the credit of his people He
intends to introduce bill making an appropria-
tion for public building at Logansport, and if
any one can push it to successful end it is MIR.
Owen
Mr. Johnston, of the Terre Haute district. has
not been very much here, and is not there
fore, very generally known. He has, however,
already created the reputation of being able and
sagacious, and of possessing an ability to popu-
larize himself. He will have good deal of work
in Congress local to his district, and he will be
kept very busy, notwithstanding the fact that
the Republican members have been relieved of
Office getting Mr. Johnston is gentleman who
will make himself known and felt in very
short time
Judge Lowry. Of Fort Wayne, will be another
busy member during the session. He has shown
a good deal of alacrity and large degree of sue
cess in the matter of securing federal appoint
ments for his constituents, and says he intends
to exert as much energy as possible in procuring
legislation for his people. He will have large
number of bills to introduce, but they will be
mostly for pensions. His public building at Fort
Wayne has been provided for. The Judge is
very hard worker.
Mr. Bynum, of Indianapolis has about recoy-
cred in the eyes of the people here from the
knock down he received over the Indianapolis
postmastership. and feels that he has put him
self upon his feet again. Barring the work he
will have to do in the way of seeking federal po-
sitions for his constituents, Mr.. Bynum will have
opportunity to do great deal of work in com:
mittee and on the floor of the House. He will
not be burdened with so much private legislation
for his constituents as some Of the other mem
bers from the State He will have less to do in
the way of seeking aid for public improvements
in the State than most members. Mr.. Bynum
is universally well-liked in Washington. He is
genial and kind hearted.
Judge Ward, of Lafayette, will reintroduce
his bill providing for government building at
his home, and also the one to improve navigation
on the lower Wabash. lie also has large num-
ber of measures giving aid to soldiers, their
widows and orphans, and will have a great deal
OF work to perform. The Judge infiu-
entail and valuable member of the committee on
postoffices and postroads in the last Congress,
and has paved the way to usefulness in the
present Congress
Mr. Ford, who succeeds Major Calkins, but
who occupies the opposite position in politics, is
a comparatively young man. but bright and act
i've, and what he may lack in experience he
hopes to make up in push. He has been in the
city some time, and has learned the 'lay Of the
land" very thoroughly.
Judge Holman. Of the Lawrenceburg district,
has improved great deal in his ideas of legisla.
tion by the trip he made into the Indian country