Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-29

But there was great acIIvIry II roun inc
Republican and Democratic parties IN 1ndi-
ana in 1876. General Harrison was defeated,
but he came out of the fight with extended
acquaintance with the people Of the State,
and with increased National popularity. He
was prominent speaker in the campaign
of 1850 N the East and the West. HIS
friends IN Indiana had little difficulty il
electing hin to the place in the Senate OF
the United States about to be vacated by
Joseph E. Mcdonald, and he took his seat
in that body on March 4. 1881.
Senator Harrison took his seat IN the
Senate upon the day upon which General
Garfield was inaugurated. The session was
an extra one for executive business only,
and he simply attended and voted when oc-
casion arose. When the Senate reassem-
bled in the following December, at the be-
ginning of the Forty Congress, and
opportunity offered, he assumed his share
of the duties Of the body. He did not force
himself forward IS a speaker. When he
did speak he commanded attention. He
vas the warm friend Of the soldier, and he
spoke cordially in his behalf. Upon Chinese
immigration ne argued for a faithful regard
OF treaty obligations in enforcing exclusion.
Service on the Mississippi River Connis-
lion prepared him 10 discuss faniliarly all
propositions brought forward for the iEa-
provement Of the navigation of that stream.
One day in July, 1852, the Senate heard him
a. his best His colleague, Senator Voor-
bees, in discussinga revenue reduction bill,
had made CharacteristcaI-y loose and
reckless Grafton, laying stress upon some
phrases in which he had ridlculed. the Re-
pubiicans for taking the tax of perfumery
and cosmetics. Senator Harrison had
waited for just this speech When Senator
Voorhees, concluded Senator Harrison be-
gan, and stepping down into the arena n
front Of the desks, and approaching the
Democratic side, he went on, without notes,
TO belabor his colleague most vigorously
and numerically for nearly an hour. 1t
was the most brilliant speech delivered By
Mr.. Harrison during his term in the Senate.
Senator voorhees, never sought occasion
again to provoke him to answer.
In the second session OF the Forty-seventh
Congress Senator Harrison's principal
speeches were made upon the civil service,
the Blair Educational bin, and On the Mis-
sissipi river scheme Of improvement. While
he favored the general purpose OF the civil
service law then under consideration, and
afterward voted for IL, he coutended for the
perfect freedom of the Government enploye
to contribute for political purposes. On
February II, 1884, he expressed himself very
polntedly on this subject - l should regard
myself he said as little less than slave
If as al American citizen believed, let me
say for illustration, in the doctrine Of pro-
lection, in which my colleague also takes an
interest, and was the head Of a bureau here.
receiving a salary of 5000 a year, was not
allowed TO contribute to the purchase Of
documents or the distribution Of speeches
that were calculated 10 impress upon the
public mind the views | held" He voted
for the Civil-Service bill, and later on, after
President Cleveland became the appointing
power, he vigorously criticised instances of
alleged departure of the Administration
from the letter and spirit Of the iaw. Dur
ing the first session of the Forty eighth
Congress General Harrison was heard il
many speeches on the Blair Educational
bill, TO which he made many serious obiec-
tons In one speech on this subject he
said: There is giving that pauperiZes;
there IS giving that enfeebles. Ii is against
that sort Of giving that protest. The wisest
managers Of benevolence in these late
years have come to the conclusion that Civ
ing should always be SO regulated as to save
self-respect and awaken in the mind of
recipient the lost faith in his ability to take
care of himself.
I'VE should carefully avoid that giving
which creates disposition to learn and to
expect, which takes the stamina and
strength and self-dependence out Of men.
That principle Will l think, apply to the
giving which is proposed by this bill"
After the Inauguration Ct President Cleve-
land, and when the Republicans of the Sen
ate tooki issue with the Executive about sp-
pointments, Senator Harrison was heard on
several occasions in speeches Of a critical
character. He was heard very infrequently
during the closing months Of his term. In
1855 an effort was made BY the Republicans
of Indiana to control the Legislature in
order that he might be chosen to succeed
himself. Senator Harrison was confident
that the State and Legislature could be car
ried. The Republicans won the State,
but the Democrats carried the Legislature
by d small majority, eleclng David Turpie
as Senator. General Harrison resumed the
practice Of his profession At Indianapolis.
Personally, General Harrison is somewhat
under the average height; but his straight,
strong figure, soldierIy bearing and easy Dig
nityof manner make him noticeable person |
among men. Els hair IS very fair. aud his face
IS clothed in Blonde beard in which there
are no streaks OF gray. One term Of service
in the Senate did not enc-ust him with the
veneerIng Of Senatorial reserve. He was
and IS one of the most approach2ble of men, !
ready to talk upon al public subjects freely, !
and having something TO say on most sub /
jects that it IS worth while TO hear As an |
orator he was one Of the best Of the Senate, I
speaking clearly, without fatigue, aud with /
no merely perfunctory zeal, and with
voice of slverY resonance and great pene- /
ration.