The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-03

An Indiana Statesman Who Was Gigantic
in An Manly Qualities.


An Indiana Statesman Who Was Gigantic
in An Manly Qualities.
s'Ten Years Among the Senator's" Copyrighted
1886, by John French.
Long, and with kind regard, will Daniel D.
Pratt be remem bered by all his associates in the
Senate Great in intellectual power, in gener
Gus sentiment and in manly instincts, as he was
in person, standing nearly, quite, six sect and
six inches. and in figure grandly proportional
for that giant height. Stout as he was, there
was nothing rough or bosterous in his manner
or his nature; indeed, in manner, he was very
quieg, his voice was soft and musical, his spirit
gentle and loving. His speeches and arguments
were strong, but not noisy rugged, but strong
from the scholarly elegance Of their language.
from the clearness of their statement, and from
the warmth of their sentiment. They were
always the argument and appeals OF cultivated
intellect, of humane heart, of a strong brain.
Mr.. Pratt early in his boyhood left his native
State of Maine. his parents removing to the
State of New York. He graduated from Hamil-
ton College. and then. in the year 1882, bravely
diana, only occasionally riding upon canal boats
SO his scanty funds would permit Once on
meeting the Senator in the city of New York, he
took me to book sellers stall, by the narrow
sidewslk of Nassau street. to show me where he
bought secondhand copy of Shakespeare for his
companion on that long journey.
On reaching Indiana, like many another brave
young emigrant from the East Daniel Pratt
wards found employment by writing in the Office
of the State Secretary at Indianapolis, mean
time studying law. He achieved in after years
not only high place in his profession, but the
reputation of an exceedingly upright and honor
able man, and by his neghbo in 1868 in "a close
district" was elected to the House of Repre-
sentatives by majority approaching 5000; but
before taking his seat the Legislature, catching
the enthusiasm which had been awakened
through the State by his large election to the
House, elected him to the Senate
In the Senate Mr.. Pratt was made the chair
man of the committee pensions, his famil-
iarty of law, his quick ability to sift testimony
and equtably weigh facts joined to his warm
interest in the welfare of the soldiers, admi-
rably n:Sing him for the position In those
years the work devolving upon this committee
was Of immense volume, and although Mr.
Pratt gave sll his hours to it, except the few
served for sleep. to him it seemed labor of
love. Constantly he was pressing the Senate
for opportunities to bring in his pension bills of
which his desk was always full, "for there
could be no worthier business presented for their
action" was his oft remark
One day a woman hum5ly clad, appeared in
the reception room of the Senate, and, asking
for card aud page, wrote her name upon the
card and sent it into the chamber to one of the
Senators from her State. In few minutes tho
lad returned with the message "that the Seua-
tor could not see her" The poor woman burst
into food of tears. The boys heart was
touched, and 80 he stood by until the woman
could regain a little composure, when he vent
ured to ask the occasion of her grief. He asked
In so kind tone that she readily told the lad
her simple story, and the lonely woman was glad
to ind one friendly ear. She was the widow
of a soldier; had had trouble about her pension,
which would be SO much, if she could only get it
for her and her children; could get expana-
ton as to the delay; had come to Washington
thinking certainly she would have no further
trouble, if she could only reach Washington; and
here to her surprise, no one could or would tell
AaSs N,xv%ht 1nA1A ~2 g
the Senators from her State, thinking he
would give her the information and
advice she needed, for she had heard
him. in speeches at home, talk about his
friendship for the soldiers and he had refused to
see her! And now she knew not where to look
for help. or even how to get home. my dear
woman" said the grand boy, don't cry. Don't
feel bad about Senator - not coming out.
he is mean man, anyway, and he couldn't help
you. He has no influence in the Senate But |
know a real good Senator who can help you, and
who will. And he ischairman of the committee
on pensions and knows all about this business.
You sit right here, and will bring the Senator
to you" Having witnessed part of this inter
esting scene, stood by to witness the result
1t was but minute or two at the longest
when the brave little hero was making his way
through the crowded reception-room, his hand
clasped In the great warm hand of the giant
chairman of the pension committee, whose great
humane face radiant with the pleasure felt
in the work to which the lad was leading him.
The boy handsomely made the introdnctions,
soon had three chairs in retired corner and the
three sat down to the investigation of this pen
sion case The woman repeated her story, and
all the facts Mr.. Pratt carefully noted
in his memorandum book, while assur-
Ing the good woman that he would go at
once to the War Department and examine the
records of the regiment to which her husband
belonged, and if the facts should prove as she
believed and had stated she should certainly
have a pension He would make it his first
business, and he thought he could promise her
before the close of the week her pension papers,
and If not, she should certainly know the reason
why. Alter the Senator left the boy told the
woman how well she might trust Mr.. Pratt;
that he certainly would accomplish the
work within the week; that she should go
back to the hotel without any anxiety as to her
bill there, "for the pages would raise subscrip-
ton and pay it. 1t not an hour before
Senator Pratt was at the War Department
searching the records of this case, and, before
the close of the week, he had special bill forths
woman through both houses, and signed by the
President. And it was believed that he pre-
sented the poor soldiers widow with the railroad
ticket which took her to her home.
Such man Daniel ID. Pratt Nav the
turf that rests upon his grave press lightly. for
the grave holds not a kindler heart.