The National tribune., 1886-02-04

Gen. Thomas M. Browne, of Indiana, came
to the front in the most conspicuous manner in
the recent exciting debates in the House
upon the proposition to repeal the limitation
clause in the arrears of pension bill. He Offer
ed it as an amendment to the bill under con-
sideration to increase the pension of widows
from S. to Sl2 month. He held that if the
House meant to pass the arrears bill at all it
might as well go through along with the other,
and thus be saved from possible grave on the
calendar where so many measures find con-
venient niche to the satisfaction of open and
secret enemies There was warm work on the
matter, and although the subj was temporari-
ly shelved by coup detat on the part of its op-
onentS, it will be heard from again.
Gen. Thomas NJ. Browne, of Indiana came
to the front III the most conspicuous manner in
the exciting debate in the House last week
upon the proposition to repeal the limitation
clause in the arrears of pension bill He offer
ed it as an amendment to the bill under con-
sideration to increase the pension of widows
from So to SO month. He held that if the
House meant to pass the arrears bill at all it
might as well go through along with the other,
and thus be saved from possible grave on the
calendar, where so many measures find a con-
venient niche to the satisfaction of open and
secret enemies. There was warm work on the
matter, and the subject, as we go to press, still
occupies the first place as unfinished business.
Cen Browne, the mover of the proposition,
is a native Of Preble County, Ohio, and was
born at the village of New Paris, on April 49,
1929. He attended the common schools in his
boyhood, but the death of his mother, which
occurred when he was but IA, broke up his
fathers family, and at this early age he was
turned adrift to fight the battle of life for him.
self, and he had no further educational oppor-
tunities. On the 9th of January, 1914, he en-
tered the service Of merchant in Spartanbure.
Randolph Co., Ind, and has been resident of
that County ever since. He studied law and
was admitted to the bar before he reached his
majority. In 1850 he was elected County
Prosecutor, and was from 1855 to 1861 Prose
cutting Attorney Of the 18th Judicial Circuit of
Indiana.
Upon the outbreak of the war he was ap-
pointed by Gov. o. z. Morton to place on his
staff, and for a short time was an Aid on the
staff of Gen. Thomas J. Wood, being at the
battle of Shiloh. Soon after this he was elected
as State Senator in that notorious Legislature
of 1863, which made such desperate attempt
to strip Gov. Morton of his military authority
for the purpose of preventing him from send
ing the Indiana quota to the field in response
to the call of President Lincoln. The Gov
ernor had in Gen. Browne one of his stanchest
supporters all through the crisis. AT the close
of the session he assisted in organizing the eth
Ind. Cav, and went to the front as its Lieu
tenant-Coloncl, reporting to Gen. A.. J. Smith
at Columbus, Ky. The regiment SAW active
service from the first. operating against For
rest. Later they participated in Grierson's
raids. The regiment went on the unfortunate
GuntOwn expedition, in June, 1864, under Gen.
Sturgis in command of Lieut.-COl. Browne
who was at that time the senior officer on duty.
In this affair he was severely wounded his
Orderly was killed at his side and his horse
was shot under him. He saw active service on
the various cavalry movements in Alabama,
Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas and
Louisiana during the rest of the war. He
went with the command up the Red River to
receive the surrender of the rebel General
Kirby Smith. They remained at Alexandria,
La, after Smiths surrender till the army of
occupation was sent into Texas. In the
he had been promoted Colonel of his
regiment and appointed Brevet Brigadier-Gen-
eral by President Lincoln for galantry." He
was sent in command of a brigade to the border
Of Texas and Indian Territory to rehabilitate
civil Government in that region. Affairs were in
bad state in that section, for upon the disper-
sion of Kirby Smiths force these renegades had
plundered the camp of all portable arms and
supplies, and departed to a life of lawles5ness.
Gen. Browne was engaged in the work of
these marauders until about year
after the surrender of Lees army
In April, 1869, he was appointed United
States Attorney for the District of Indiana, but
resigned the office in August, 1872. On the ed
- ussia icf~, eiO bcpuoiiCstii Otitc SOH-
ventiOn nominated him for Governor. In this
race he was defeated by the late Vice-President
Thomas A. Hendricks by a small majority.
Al the close of the campaign of 1872 Gen. |
Browne resumed the practice of his profession
1t indianapolis and remained out of politics |
Until 1876 when his district unanimously NOM |
mated him for Congress against the Hon. VIM. |
5. Holman. After an exciting campaign he |
vas elected, and has been four times elected |
nce.
His service on committees of Congress has |
AIKEN very wide range including Invalid |
Pensions, Judiciary, Military Affairs, etc. In |
his Congress he has chair in the Committee |