The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-07-05

. divers forms. am bi metaleist by m
strong conviction. l think silver shouI
{ be preserved as a coin metal, but it
a very apparent that the present ratio b.
! tween silver aud gold is out of joint an
, that something ought to be done to col
: rect this inequality"
e Senator Ilarrison's term expired MAJ
4, 1887 and the Legislature to choose hi
successor was elected in the fall of 1885,
, That was memorable campaign. II
was confronted with an adverse plural
, ty of thousands, and an Infamous gerry
mander that Senator Voorhees, openl
, and gleefully proclaimed would give tn
Democracy a two-thirds vote in tn
Legislature. Almost alone, Genera
Harrison went into the unequal combat
After campaign of matchless force ant
brilliancy, the result was the election o
a decided majority of the members elec
OF the General Assembly their MAORI
lies aggregating over 10000, while th
State ticket was successful by abou
1000. The difference measured tn
strength of General Harrison before tn,
people on the appeal he made for fall
play against the disfranchisement of |
Democratic gerrymander. He was only
defeated for the Senate by bare major
ity, the vote being "a to 76, and tba
majority obtained and maintained by
fraud, perjury, violation of law and the
Constitution, and open handed revolu
tion, condemned by at least three de
cisions of the Democratic Supreme
Court.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS.
General Harrison is slightly under the
medium height, but very strongly anC
compactly built. His countenauce,
when grave, has an expression of stern
ness, which, combined with earnestness
give him an almost impressive air, bu
it is frequently lit up with a smile to
good advantage. Those who consider
HIM at first cold and distant soon change
their impressions on close ac
quaintance. General Harrison is not q
polite ian" as the term is often under
stood. He cannot assume to be pleased
to see man when he is not. If he is
engaged in an important law suit which
demands all his thoughts and energies
he cannot appear to be at leisure and
ready to entertain half dozen gentle
men who have not half as much busi-
ness as time upon their hands. He is an
honorable, frank, social gentleman. He
is an easy, fluent cOnversatlonalist, ex-
tending to all polite and assiduous at
tentlOns and always in earnest.
General Harrison is not called an
orator, although lie is a most effective
and forcible speaker. His greatest sue
cesscs have been at the Bar and have
been won by learning and logic. He
has remarkable faculty of turning his
mind quickly from one matter to an
other. While in the Senate he used to
come from his work in Washington,
drive straight from the train to the law
Office and almost with his first words in
quire of his partner what there was he
could do. "Often," says his partner,
Mr.. Elan, "he has taken the transcript
of case on the evening of his arrival
from Washington and studied 1t that
night, then going into Court next morn
ing master of all the details and able to
make powerful argument 1t has been
the same way with his campaigns, He
leaves the arduOus work OF stumping
and takes up his Office work without a
moment of rest or lntermission, and
goes along, even when defeated, just as
If nsthing had happened. III the Senate
he was noted for his application and
faithfulness in the committee room,
rather than for brilliancy on the floor,
and his reports were models of thorough
ness and painstaking." Application has
counted tremendously with Gen. Harri-
son. His readiness of retort in debate
issues from his habit of mastering
thoroughly whatever he undertakes. He
cquips himself thoroughly, and this is
shown in nothing better than in his
knowledge of Indiana politics. He has
made study of the party organization
in that State, until there is no one better
acquainted than he with the character
Of every voting precinct. Whether it
be the carrying of a Legislature or of a
ward in Indianapolis, he can seize every
feature OF the situation in All instant.
General Harrison is not rich, even
though his law practice is large and re-
munerative He owns a handsome
house in indianapolis, where his wife
receives much company. They have a
married daughter and a son, who has
followed tho family tradition of going
further West, and is becoming promi-
nent in the politics of Montana. General
Harrison is an active member Of the
First Presbyterian Church of Indian
apOlis.