Great Falls tribune., 1889-07-03
MARTIN MAGINNIS.
HELENA's CHOICE FOR ORATOR OF
THE DAY ON THE FOURTH.
A Gallant Soldier, Able Legislator and
Brilliant Orator who is on the
Pathway to Higher Bistinc-
tiOn and Fame.

| Thursday will be day Of civic hono1
for Major Martin Maginnis. He will or
that day-the glorious Fourth-delivel
the public oration and will likewise take
his place among the delegates of the con,
stitutional convention.
While Major Maginnis is thus ascend
ing the heights where fame's temple
shines afar, the public will read with in
terest the following brief sketch Of his
career, which, as historian of the year
Mr.. Jerry Collins read at the recent
meeting of the Montana Press Associa-
tion:
The honorary roll of this association
includes many of the ablest and brightest
men Of Montana, and among them there
| is no more prominent figure than that Of
the subject Of this brief sketch.
Martin Maginnis was born in Wayne
county, New York, October 9th, 1910.
AT an early age he removed with his par
ents to Red Wing, Goodhue county, Min
nesota, where his budding days OF boy
| hood were spent. He received an acad-
emic education, and later was a student ut
Hamlin university, which he left to take
charge OF democratic newspaper and to
complete his education in that best and
most practical of institutions the printing
office. When wars dread alarm was
sounded he laid down the pencil and
"stlck" to take up the musket, being one
OF the first to respond to President Lin
coins call for volunteers, enlisting as
private in the famous First Minnesota
regiment of infantry.
Private Maginnis, for gallant services,
was promoted to second lieutenant after
the first battle Of Bulls Run, and his ad-
yancement was then rapid. In 1862 he
was made first lieutenant of his company,
and in July of the following year wore
the uniform of captain. He was with his
regiment in all the hard campaigns 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, joining the army
OF the Cumberland, under General Thom-
as, where he remained until mustered out
in July, 1866. For hard, faithful, gallant
the veterans of the war can point to
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 settled purpose, so he
started for Montana in 1866, joining one
Of the Fiske expeditions over the north
ern route, which the Manitoba railroad
now follows almost mile for mile. Ar
irving in Helena in the fall of 1885 he
first engaged in mining but the tickle
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.
In 1879 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 proceeding election and that beautiful
harmony that should prevail in the party
ranks was nowhere apparent The leaders
were non-plussed and disconsolate
Council after council failed to develope
a candidate that would unite the different
factions and snatch victory from apparent
defeat, until somebody suggested "the
blue-eyed Irishman down at the Gazette
office" 1t was an inspiration. Maginnis
like 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 a
political career, which has redounded
greatly to the benefit of Montana and |
made for Major Maginnis national rep
utatiOn.
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 a territor-
ial delegate. Not only this, but he won
the esteem and friendship Of the leading
men of the nation of both parties, and his
genius and ability shed lustre on Mon
tana. Major Maginnis served for several |
years as Il member of the committee on
military affairs of the house and, although |
"Only delegate" was authority on all |
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 on
the frontier through the seventies, wnen |
the Indians were by no means in the sub |
dued state they are at present-barring |
Major Romans wards, who seem to be IL
little disturbed at tins time.
Major Maginnis has in him all the ele-
ments of a statesman and they are so
mixed US to produce the highest and best
type. His ability and probity are un-
questioned. His eloquent tongue is rein
forced by the Imagination of a poet, aud |
even in so distinguished gathering rs II |
democratic national convention the name |
and eloquence of Moginnls took the as !
sembled delegates by storm. Ina certain |
political contingency the subject of this
sketch is likely to be further honored- II
and thereby will reflect honor upon the |
Montana Press association by call to Il |
more exalted post, with wider mud more |
commanding duties Of state to perform.
PTompmcss.