Great Falls tribune., 1889-08-31
MAJOR MARTIN MAGINNIs.
The Peoples Choice for Congressman for

Montana. 7&%#
The TRIBUNE begins sketches of the
party nominees with the following writ
ten by Hon. Jerry Collins and read by
him at the meeting Of the Press Associa-
tion in June last:
SKETCH OF HON. MARTIN MAaINN1s.
Martin Maginnis was born in Wayne
county, New York, October 9th, 1s4O
| AT an early age he removed with his par
ents to Red Wing, Goodhne county, MIN
nesota, where his budding days Of boy
hood were spent He received an aca-
lemic education, and later was student
1T Hamlin university, which he left to
take charge of democratic newspaper
md to complete his education III that
best and most practical of institutions
Ihe printing office. When the wars
tread alarm was sounded he laid
,lown the pencil and .stick" to take up
the musket, being one of the first to
respond to President Llncoln's call for
volunteers, enlfsting as aSprivate in the
First Minnesota regimentofin infantry.
SOLDIER OF THE UNION.
Private Maginnis, for gallant services,
was promoted to second lieutenant after
the first battle Of Bull Run, and his ad-
vancement was then rapid. In 1862 he
vas made first lieutenant Of this company,
and i'll July of the following year he
| wore the uniform of captain. He was
| with his regiment in all the hard cam
pal. rs in which it took part and was
engaged in nearly all the battles Of the
army of the Potomac until September,
1864, when he was promoted to major Of
the Eleventh Minnesota volunteers, join
ing the army Of the Cumberland, under
/ General Thomas, where he remained
until mustered out in July 1866. For
hard, faithful, gallant service in his
country's cause, but few Of the veterans
of the war can point to a brighter record
Than Major Maginnis. He was every
inch soldier.
Returning to his old home he found
himself, like many soldiers did, without
occupation or a settled purpose, so he
started for Montana in 1855, joining one
Of the FIske expeditions over the north
ern route, which the Manitoba railroad
| now follows almost mile for mile. Ar
rivlng in Helena in the fall of 1866 he
/ first engaged it mining, but the tickle
i goddess failed to smile upon him, and we
next find him in his natural element
the editor and one of the publishers Of
the Rocky Mountain Gazette of Helena,
where he did much faithful and excellent
work,
ELECTED TO CONGRESS-.
In 1872 when the democrats of Montana
met in convention for the purpose of
placing in nomination candidate for del
egate to congress, they were not IN very
happy or hopeful frame Of mind. Clag-
gett, republican, had been successful at
the preceding election and that beautiful
harmony that should prevail in the party
ranks was no where apparent. The leaders
were non-plussed and disconsolate.
Council after council failed to develope
candidate that would unite the different
, factions and snatch victory from apparent
blue-eyed Irisman down at the Gazette
Office" 1t was an inspiration. Maginnis
was nominated with a hurrah and ran
like a race horse. He made thorough
canvass, going to nearly every town and
mining camp of the territory, and was
enthusiastically received everywhere
His majority was up IN the thousands and
he thus entered auspiciously upon g
political career, which has redounded
greatly to the benefit of Montana and
made for Major Maginnis national rep
ptation,
He represented this territory twelve
!, consecutive years in congress and attained
degree of influence in that body and in
the various departments of the govern
ment never before achieved by territor
.. ial delegate. Not only this, but he wor
| the esteem and friendship of the leading
men of the nation of both parties, and his
genius and ability shed lustre on Mon
J tana Major Maginnis served for several
wears as a member Of the committee on
military affairs of the house and, although
'sonly delegate" was authority on al
! matters relating to that arm of the gov
ernment and welded much influence.
The west, and especially Montana, owes
much to him for protection afforded OF
8 the frontier through the seventies, wher
y the Indians were by no means in the sub
dued state they are at present barring
Major Romans wards. who seem to be I
little disturbed at this time,
A STATESMAN AND PATRIOT.
l. Major Maginnis has in him all the ele
ments Of statesman and they are 81
mixed as to produce the highest and bes
If type, His ability and problty are 1n
d questioned. His eloquent tongue Is rein
forced by the Imagination OF n poet' ane