The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-20

clared the office of Supreme Court Reporter va
cant and another person was elected 10 the po-
sition. From the time of leaving Indiana with
his regiment til the fan of 1864, after the
capture of Atlanta, General Harrison had tax
en- no leave of absence, but having been nomi-
mated by the State convention OF that year for
the Office from which he had been ousted, he
took thirty-day leave of absence, and. under
orders from the War Department, reported to
Governor Morton for duty. During that thirty
days leave he again made brilliant canvass of
the State and WAS elected for another term
Then he rejoined the army, was in the siege and
battle of Nashville. and served until the surren-
der of Johnston and was with his command at
the final grand review of the Union forces at
Washington 1T the close of the
In 1868 he declined reelection IS Reporter.
and resumed the practice of law In 1876
he became 8 candidate for Governor
der peculiar circumstances. having been
placed the ticket by the State central COM
mittee while absent from rhe State. to fill
vacancy caused by the declination Of the regu-
lar nominee. He had before the convention
the action of the committee in
Difference to the popular demand. In tender
ing it TO General Harrison the committee said:
THE nomination was made for no other purpose
than TO eubserye the best Interests of the Re-
publican party in Indiana, and in rendering 1t TO
you we do so with the assurance that you viii
receive the united and earnest vote of the entire
party The nomination was entirely unsought
and undesired, bet it was accepted in
terms that indicated sense Of public duty
threw himself into the campaign with
his usual energy. He made great
campaign, canvassing the entire State
elected. The Wis inertia of the Democratic
party, strengthened by the candidacy of tho
most popular Democratic leader in the State,
could not be overcome, and. in addition, the
corruption fund and tactics of W. 81. Barnum
were too powerful. This campaign.
though. unsuccessful, greatly extended
reputation among the people, and from this
time he was recognized the corning
among the Republican leaders of the State.
He polled nearly two thousand more votes
than the general average of his ticket His
brilliant campaign had been watched from with
ont the State, and after the October election he
was in great demand for speeches in the East.
where he added TO the high estimate the people
had formed of him as speaker. In $780, as usual,
he took an active part in the campaign, and when
it was found the Republicans had carried. the
Legislature he became at once the leading cam
didate for United States Senator. Efforts were
made to create diversions IN favor of Others but
the voice of the party was practically unanimous
for the man who had been fighting the party
battles for SO many years and had been con-
His nomination was plainly foreshadowed before
the Legislature convened, and before the caucus
met all other names had been withdrawn. His
election gave the greatest satisfaction to Re-
publicans throughout the State. His service OF
six years in the Senate gave him o. national
reputation as of the ablest men, best law
yers and strongest debaters in that body. Dur
ing this period be grew very rapidly In public
estimation and proved himself fully equal to the
requirements of the place and the expectations of
his friends. His Dakota report and speeches. and
his speech on the Edmunds resolution regarding
civii-service reform in general ana especially on
the Presidents appointments in Indiana, are to
be found in the Congressional Record. AS O
member of the Interpretations committee he
assisted in the consideration and amendment,
and united in the unanimous and favorable COM
mittee report of, and voted in the Senate for,
the Chinese restriction bill introduced by Sena-
tor Fair, of Nevada OF this committee bill,
which passed the Senate without division, Sena-
tor Mitchell. of Oregon, said in the Senate:
have no kind of doubt that it is as strong bill az
could be drawn and mt the time have kept
within the provisions of treaty. To is
of the best bills ever reported by committee
on the subject
made q speech IN the Senate favoring the pre-
vention of the wholesale emigration of con-
tracted labor. being careful. however, to reserve
the freest possible voluntary emigration of those
who desired TO become American citizens. He
also spoke on the alien ownership of land, tax
ing decided stand against the evil of foreigners
acquiring large bodies of public and private
lands to the exclusion Of actual settlers. who
would improve small farms and make for them
selves homes
His Senatorial term expired March 4 1887.
and the Legislature to choose his success
sor TO be elected in the fall of 1886
The history of thas campaign is still
fresh IN the public mind Il was in q large de-
gree General Harrison's campaign. Though
others good seconds and able assistants he
foremost in the fight When others wavered
he advanced, when they lost heart he expressed
confidence He WAS almost the only prominent
Republican in Indiana who felt confident of car
rying the State or who thought it worth while
70 even attempt to carry the Legislature. This
il 10 disraraeefnent Of other Republican leaders
who did yenman service In the campaign. Ont il
wisdom and his work. The Republicans carried