The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-04
BUTTONS IN CONGRESS.
GRAND ARMY STATESMEN IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.


James T. Johnston, of Indiana, and
His Bayonet Charge in Debate-Cler-
gymen and the Sons of Clergymen
in the House-Chaplain Anderson
and Bishop Perkins-Kansas Sends
the Greatest Number of Grand Army
Statesmen-The Leading Orator of
the Hawk-Eyes-The Rigging and
Roaring Red Rooster ofthe Rockies"
WASHINGTON, March 3.-Great are the
decorations worn by the Diplomatic Corps
in Washington, but greater is the Grand
Army button. 1t is seen at the White
House and at every turn in the public
buildings. Scores of mutilated veterans
wear it in the Pension Office You find it
in the Government Printing Office and in
the Smithsonian Institute. 1t is displayed
in nearly every room and corridor of the
capitol. 1t appears in the Senate chamber
and on the floor of the House. 1t is worn
in the e llleries and by visitors to the lofty
dome. 1t is shown in the lapels of the
Senator at dinner and of the dusky waiter
who serves him. The fountain of its in
fluence is Congress itself The Federal and
the Confederate Brigadiers have placed the
button i'll the departments, and while there
it is well guarded The Grand Army V etc
rams in both houses are ever on the alert to
preserve its rights and immunitieS.
Of the eighty-three Union soldiers in the
House of Representatives it is safe to say
that all are members of the Grand Army of
the Republic Not one-third, however, dis
play the button. This may be due to
spirit of brotherly love toward the Con
federates, and it may be owing to a desire
to escape the opportunities of office-seekng
comrades There areiOnly two Representa-
tives wearing the whole Grand Army re-
gala on the floor of the House. Both are
Republicans Probably twenty others are
never seen without the simple button. But
some of the bravest veterans in the House
wear neither button nor medallion.
Others show the spirit of military
aristocracy by displaying the tri-colored
button worn only by members of the
Loyal Legion. This button is a privilege
granted exclusively to those who were COM
missioned officers in the Union army and to
their sons. The wearer seems to be grade
higher than the common veteran lie may
be Grand Army man himself. but he al
ways wears the tri-color badge in place of
the old bronze button. A prominent Re
publican wears the button of the Mandarin
but the Hon. James T. Johnston of Indiana,
displays the plain button. The first, as be-
comes a Mandarin, is a leader ON the Repub-
slhC VI biib IIOuSe, Wull6 JOHNSTON Is
high private. The Mandarin moves, as it
were, en- echeton at forty PAGES, throwing
out right and left general guides, and adj
vancing with machlne-lke precision. When
Johnston gets the floor, however he sounds
bayohet charge and dashes for the enelny's
camp at double quick, like bluff cid sol
der
None of the fourteen Democratic men,
bers Of the order wears the Grand Army
button. The most prominent of these
Democrats is Gen. J. b. Weaver, of Iowa.
Weaver enlisted as private, and was brew
cited q Brigadier General of volunteers for
galantry on the field. The General is an
editor, soldier and lawyer He once
ran for President of the United States on
national ticket, and received about
$4,000 votes. He is a stubborn fighter
on the field of legislation. Like all other
Grand Army Democrats, he comes
to the front whenever his Confederate
comrades are unjustly assailed, and bat
ties nobly in their behalf Gen Francis
b. Spinola is another Democratic Federal
Brigadier, He commanded a New York
brigade in the Army of the Potomac, and
did efficient service. lie lis a new member,
with much legislative experience, and he
will undoubtedly make his mark. For three
months he has been at Hot Springs trying
to regain his health.
The third prominent Grand Army Demo-
Gratis Col CORTLAND G. Matsc n, of Indiana
He commanded regiment of cavalry with
signal gallantry. He entered the war as a
private, and won his rank by merit alone.
Matson has served six years on the floor
and is a leading man in the Indiana delega-
ton. he is chairman of the Committee on
invalid Pensions.
Three of the Democratic veterans were
Iieutenants in the Union army. They are
George E. Seney and Samuel s. Yoder, of
Ohio, and Edmund Rice, of st. Paul Mimi
Nos la..S 10,
have not yet appeared in the garden of de-
bate Seney has served four years in Con
greSs, and will probably carry his district
as often as he receives the nomination.
Two Democratic Colonies in the Grand
Army airs Levi Marsh, of Pennsylvania,
and Truman A. Merriman, of New York
city. Marsh is sturdy in both body and
intellect. He has won rank in the House
equal TO his rank i'll the army. He was
wounded at Antietam and at Chancellors-
vile. He ha- So we'd four years in Congress.
Col. MeTrima. the Unknown ex-Presi-
dent of the y York Press Club. He has
good record in the army, in journalism,
and in the House.
Another Union officer was Judge John L.
Macdonald, of Shakopee, MINI. The Judge
is one of the three Democrats from that
heretofore Republican STATE He is cary
ing his way into the affections of the House
slowly but surely. Like Gen. Weaver, lie
is an editor as well as a lawyer
The remaining Grand Army Democrats
are Sergt Luther F. Mckinney, of New
Hampshire, Sergt. Maj. A j. Cummings,
Private Martin A. Foran, OF Ohio, James
J.. Campbell and Milbourne H. Ford, of
Michigan. Campbell and Ford wore the
blue jacket in the navy. The most promi-
nent of the lot is Martin Ambrose Foran, a
well-known labor representative He came
from Susquehanna county, Pa, and has
served two terms. Foran is tall, has a dark
complexion, black eyes and mustache, and
hushy black hair. He is classic speaker,
but he rarely takes the floor Mr. Camp
bell has represented the Seventh Ohio dis
trict four years, and is an active and useful
Congressman. NJ Kinney, Ford and Cum
innings are new members. The former is q
clergyman and the latter the son of clergy
man. Ford is a stenographer, and a grad
uate of the United States Naval Academy
Only sixth of the veterans in the House
are Democrats. Kansas is the leading
Grand Army State. All her Congressman
are members of the order. Mayor Edmund
n. Morrill, heads the seven in rank. He has
served two terms. Next comes Chaplain
John A. Anderson, an honest and conscien-
tious legislator, the foe Of all monopolies,
and a man who seems to be ever awake in
the interests of the people. Bishop w. Per-