The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-15
LEGISLATORS.
Brief Pen-Sketches of Some of the Mem
bers of the State Senate.
Their Merits and Dement'S, Their Peculiari-
ties and ds-Statesmanship in It's
Various Forms of Personal Character.

In pursuing the discussion, begun in last Sun
days Journal, on the merits of the different
members of the Indiana Senate as legislators
there is probably no more interesting subject
to begin with than Il. M. Campbell, the senator
from Hendricks and Putnam. He was elected in
a district that is known as Democratic strong
hold as the candidate of the Republicans and
disaffected Democrats. In consequence, he has
been credited in the published lists of members
as lone and solitary Independent But on
all political questions he has been pleased to
vote with the Republicans. He has always been
Republican from principle, and on the ques-
tions which have involved political principles he
could hardly, with any consistency approval
of conscience, have voted otherwise. He is
probably personally known to more people in
Indiana than any other member Of the Senate,
and he was, in consequence, regarded as one of
the prominent figures among the legislators be-
fore the General Assembly convened. He
has hardly been as prominent in the
debates IS it was supposed he
would be, but he has talked quite
as much as has been necessary-s His gifts of YER
bal expression are fair. lie is a speaker, an ad
vocate-hardy an orator. His voice is rather
harsh-doubtless somewhat painful to the ears of
the person who may be sitting beside him while
he talks He impresses one, however, when
speaking, as man with more than ordinary
force o.. character He seems to believe his own
sincere desire to support the right Of a question
the proper way to represent his constituents.
His record is about as faultless as that of any
member.
To1 e. ny-
is the peer of any of his Democratic colleagues.
He is man of exceptional worth and ability.
He is thoroughly German, and thoroughly q
scholar. 1t is commonly remarked that he is
the most learned man on the floor
He seldom participates in the debates and never
speaks upon question without having studied
it He writes his speeches with much care, and
usually delivers them from memory. His &C
cent is strongly Tuetonc, and impeachment
or voice makes close attention necessary to un-
derstand him. He is precise in his choice of
words, and his language is more faultless than
that of any other member of the Legislature
He is rather liberal in his views, and most
pronounced trait of his character is his CON
scientiousness and sincerity. He opposed the
gerrymander of his party and favored in
vestgation of the State Treasury His health
is bad, and he has been unable to occupy his
seat in the Senate more than half the time
Gabriel Overstreet, the Republican senator
from johnson and Morgan, has a dyspeptic APP
pearance and subdued manner, but he is man
of far more ability than he looks He is law
yer, and is exceptionally we'll informed. He fire.
quently participates in the debates, but he has a
feeble voice, and is not AN impressive speaker
He speaks as if he were arguing question in d
quiet company, where a conversation had arisen.
He is always calm and deliberate. His speeches
bear the marks OF lawoffice logic, but read we'll.
1t was supposed by many people in the north
ern part of the State and about indianapolis, be-
fore the the General Assembly convened, that
one of the most prominent members of the
Senate on the Democratic side would be Morgan
ii. Weir, of LaPorIe. He is something of a bar
rem ideaHty. He is rather q remarkable looking
man-doubtless, in personal appearance, the fin
est looking man on the foor--but he has been
conspicuous in the discussions only for moving
the previous question, which is generally not
bad thing to do He does it vigorously, with the
statesmanlike manner of my-constituents-d de-
mand-it, and as if he were making personal
sacrifice in doing it. He generally says artfully
raising his eyeglasses from his nose Mr. Pres
ident, think this discussion has gone about far
enough. did intend to say something, but
shall refrain. | move the previous question"
Mr.. Welrs previous question has been the re-
fran of about all that he has intended to say.
No man, however ought to be condemned, as a
rule, for moving the previous question. Mr..
Weir has been rather active in furthering politi-
cal schemes, and he has not neglected the ad
vantages OF any cpportunity for getting himself
elected President pro tenn of the Senate as the
contingent successor Of Lieutenant governor
Manson. 1t seems to be pretty generally con-
ceded that he will be nominated by the Demo
cratic caucus. He would make an ornamental
President of the Senate.
James N. Huston. tho Republican senator
from Fayette, Rush and Union, is a. young man
tall and slender, with prosperous looking
mustache He is one of the wealthiest members
of the Legislature. Two years ago he was a rep
resentative. He has not been very conspicu-
Gus, but he is recognized one of the foremost
members of the Senate on the Republican side.
His speech on the legislative gerrymander was
notably creditable effort
The gentleman by the uncommon name of
John Smith, who, as a Democrat, repre-
sents the counties of Adams Jay and
Blackford, is a UNIQUE character He is
lawyer, and he is up to ''all the tricks of the
trade" He may usually be found wandering
aimlessly about somewhere in the vicinity of the
Senate chamber or spread out promiscuousy
over his desk and all the chairs in the immediate
naighborhood There isn't much of him physic
ally and what there is of his face is pretty well
covered with thick growth Of black beard
When he speaks he talks as if he were wound I'D
to go until he runs down He never hesitates for
word, usually gesticu!ates with one hand deep
down in his pocket and speaks in a
voice with the Thomas A. Hendricks
nasal fiat modulations. He has habit
of walking up and down the aisle while speaking
Often he begins a sentence at one end of
the room and winds it up at the other end.
He is man of many Decuarities He
is comparatively young now as he grows older
his pecuiiarites will doubtless graduate into &C.
centricties; but there is some excuse for eccen-
trieity IN man of his patronymic He is the
most adroit parliamentarian in the Senate. He
is learned in parliamentary lore and knows it's
tricks which he is continually springing upon
some unwary senator.
There are three of the Smith family in the
Senate, one of whom is observation-disclosures
S. Smith, of Delaware and Randolph. He looks
like banker, who had retired from business
aud was living on easy terms with the world,
with full relief from all its annoyances He
vigiantly watches the interests of his constitu-
ents, and about the only speech of any length
that he has made during the session was upon
bill for the benefit of the people of his district,
which he succeeded in getting through the
Senate. He is one of the valuable class of legis
lators who does little talking, but generally
votes right