Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-12-16
nor mo DIspAich-Copyrig0tcd, isssl


WAsnIxorox. December -, 1888.
The most lovable of the quaint cha
racters in the House is MAJOR William II.
Martin. of Texas. lie was born IN Ala
hama and went 20 Texas thirty-eight
wears ago. Ito settled in the district 80
long represented by John II. Reagan,
sud ne Is nov congressman from that
district When Reagan was sent 10 the
Unsed States Senate there vas long
RSfy bitter struggle for his seat in the
Hsnsc, Tho nominating convention
was in session several days. Paliot after
ballot Was taken unsyailln0ly. Inc
delegates were worn ont. Their botei
bills were increasing, and there was APP
parently 10 way out OF the difficulty.
j inally an old Confederate soldier
placed MAJOR Martin IN nomination.
The connecting rather laughed
o, the idea. The MAJOR was plain.
old.iashioued lawyer, with catt'e-fanch
and unsulGed character. He hadn't an
enemy in the district
WAR MODEST.
His heart warmed toward everybody,
and overybody's heart warmed toward
him. 10 bad served throughout the
war in Hoods Texas brigade. IN one
C. the battles Of the Wilderness he dis
tinguishod himself at critical moment
Hancock's corps had made iodgment
fhat threatened disaster 70 the COniede-
rate line. General Lee made repeated
efforts o. recaptnIe the position. Neited
bv these failures. Uncle Robert
placed himself 1T tho head Of the Texas
brigade. intending to lead final charge
in person. st this tall, lem, lanh Of
fcer brouzcd by Virginia suns, laid Ina
hand uuon the bride OF the Confederate
commander. "iour place, General, "
ssid ho, is thar, pointing TO tho rear.
60 ogr life is too valuable TO be lost.
The safety OF the army demands It's pre-
sergati1n. Iour presence is not necessa-
~ for the Texas brigade 10 DO It's duty.
The tall officer was Major Martin.
With tcars In his ewes ho implored Gen
oral Leo 10 90 to the rear aud trust TO
bis children from tue Lone-~tar state.
he finally turned the horses head to the
south and lod the animal 20 a place OF
comparative safety.
Of bullets. With fixed bayOuets they
dashed beneath the pines, and after
fearful conflict they drove back Han
cocks troops end held the position. u
is said that this incident is commemo-
rated by a large painting IN the State
House at Austin. Certain II rs that the
Democratic Congressional Convention
remembered IT. They swSmped all the
other candidates and nominated Martin
by reclamation.
rHE MAJOR il WASHINGTON,
When Major Martin came TO Wash
ineton his homely manners and quaint
WAYS attracted the attention Of the re-
uortCrs. They treated him very much
g. they would have treated Davy
Crockett III days gone by. lie was oc-
cuscd of blowing out the gas at Wizards,
of breaking his fngcrnais on electric
buttons. and of setting bis watch by
dlals IN horse cais. All these stories
were untrue. Their repetition in the
newspapers however, made the Major a
character when the House was organ
lied. Guides eagerly pointed him out
20 vIsitOrs and contributed to the stories
already ailoat The Major appearance
increased the interest Of those who saw
him He is over six feet tall. lie wears
n broad brimmed fclt hat, and ms snow
gray locks, long and curly, would have
done credit 10 the court of Charles III.
A PREFECTURE.
lie has the face OF n veteran. It is
seamed and bron1ed by time and expo
sure. The eyes are gray and sunken,
and the brows bushy and shaggy. The
Major Is about sIXty-fye years old. lie
ig careless in dress, and he usually saun-
tiers around the House with unbutt0ned
waistcoat and his hands in his pockets.
His cuffs futter from his wrists like the
wings of a dove. His linen Is not as
white as snow, nor are his boots of
mirror-hke polish hut he has heart as
warm as the Hot Springs, and
Kindness Of manner that would
Grace many a resident of Fifth ave
me. No mau is moro puDctual II
his attendance at prayers, and none
moro devout lie never misses the
meetings Of the Committees on Patents,
and on Coinage. Weights and Measures
since the Fiueth Congress commenced
its work. He chews the finest of plug
tobacco. When the proceedings III the
House become wcarisome he rocks HIM
self IN his pivotal chair, rolling his quld
from cheek 10 cheek, and whiting like
a Yankee. Paul Renonard, the Partisan
artist, caricatured hum IN Harper's
Wcckty'
RIs GREAT EFFORT.
The sketches pleased no one more than
the Major himself. They illustrated the
only set speech made by him on the
floor. 1t was tariff speech delivered
at "A night session. IL had been stu
diously prepared, but the light was so
bad that the old man could not see his
notes. he made fanciful argument
but II lacked lucidity aud symmetry.
None who heard 1t can ever forget IT. IL
WAS extremely fervid, and was garnlsheG
with tho sweeping gestures charac-
teri2ing eloquonce ON the border. Nhle
the speech was being delivered, two OF
the Majors congressional friends paid IA
ureJatorv visit to the Capitol grounds,
and tore two huge bouquets from the
lilac bushes. Being hard pressed by the
police. they scaled balcony of the
Capitol. slipped into the House through
the Speakers lobby, tied broad. white
silk ribbon around the tribute, and
placed II upon the veterans desk. "Old
Howdy," as he is aiiectionately termed,
was delighted. lie is the only man,
thus far. who has drawn full galleries at
an evening session.
Az AFFECTING STORY
is afoat in Washington, illustrative OF
the Majors warm heart. He saw in I
an announcement of the ar I
rival Of the twin daughters OF his old
General. John e. Hood The General
died in New Orleans years ago. The .
Major called upon the orphans and .
showed them every attention. lie ac- Z
compauied them 10 the White House /
and secured them an introduction to the I
wife Of the President. Mrs, Cleveland /