The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-15
SOME LOCAL EXPRESSIONS.
Governor Matthews's Estimatc q
Gray aa IL Politician.

NrONtFnOE M0ttnew&S tgSt1m0tc Oh
Gray N Politician.
Governor Matthews was shocked to learn
OF the death of Ex-Governor Gray late last
night. He was greatly surprised because Of
the fact that less than ten days ago he had
received call from Mr.. Gray, who at that
tine was apparently enjoying the best Of
health.
THE news of his death IS especially pain
f,l to me- said Governor Matthews, be
cause of our long and continued friendship.
Ex-Governor Gray's death under the cir
cumstances is peculiarly sad and Distress
Ing. But a few days ago he was in my
office making his goodbye call. just before
leaving for his post of duty. l never saw
him looking so we'll He looked the picture
of health and said his trip home had done
him good He was in splendid spirits and
extended an earnest invitation to me to
visit him in Mexico He promised me fine
entertainment should visit him during his
term OF Office.
Ex-Governor Gray was man OF fer
more than ordinary ability. He filed many
offices of honor and trust and in each and
every one fearlessly and intelligently dis
charged their duties. He was possessed of
rare executive ability and was keen OBJ
server OF men. His success as a politician
was largely owing TO his ability to read men
and organize them into an active force
Especially he strong with the younger
men, He was true to his friends and ready
20 serve them. He was conducting his pres
ent delicate mission with that ability which
was gaining hm no little reputation as a
diplomat in Washington circles He was
watchful at all times of the interests Of
his country and rights of our citizens His
greatest reputation, however will be that
Tor executive ability while Governor of In
been an admirer of Mr. Gray, was painea
70 hear OF the death. To the Journal last
night Captain Curtis said.
II always looked upon Mr. Gray as one
OF the brightest men In the Democratic
Executive ssx ann mn, b a. de man Of great
keenly felt by the party. At the convention
in St Louis there was a great deal of en-
thusiasm connected with Mr.. Gray's name.
and he was mentioned presidential pos
sihility. do not remember how many
that when 1t came to the nomination for
vice presidency he came very near getting
the the REQUIRED number He was beaten by
came marching into the convention waving
red bandana handkerchiefs. The result was
the convention. The bandana became the
emblem of the party. during the campaign.
considered for the second place on the tex
ct. but he was beaten by MIR. Stevenson, OH
combination.
Sterling r.. Holt had not heard of the
death of Minister Gray when asked for an
expression of his opinion as to Mr. Gray's
ranking as statesman last night, but With
tainly lost one of the very best of her citi-
zens in the death of Isaac p Gray. AS a
neighbor he was far above the average,
and as politician he was one of the
shrewdest and most reliable in Indiana.
think that too much cannot be said in the
praise Of Isaac T. Gray. both as citizen, a
politician and as a patriot"
Thomas Taggart. who has for years
been chairman OF the State Democrats
committee and leading Democrat of the
State. was closely associated with Mr.. Gray
and had an excellent chance to, become
acquainted with him. Mr.. Taggart said re-
gardIng the death: The news of the death
OF Mr.. Gray Is very sad and unexpected
IT seems only yesterday that he left
this city after his vacation, to return to
his duties at Mexico. He was then in the
best of health and 1t is hard for us to realize
that he is dead. As politician. Mr. Gray
was very bright, keen and astute The
party cannot help but feel the great loss
at the st. Louis convention. He had Their,
solid Indiana delegation for the nomina-
had a solid delegation for the nomination.
Mr.. Gray was popular throughout the State
and he had q strong following
Senator Newoy said last night that, he
he'd the honor or being a personal friend or
Minister Gray, and had intended to make
trip 10 Mexico In the near future. The
news OF the death had been somewhat of a
shock to him, as 1t was so unexpected. He
said he had been great admlrer OF Isaac
.Mr Gray he said. was a man of d
great deal more ability than he was ever
given credit for. His nature was such that
l, III was s always Sit, 70 rule or ruin with him;
ne reached a point in life where the Re-
publicans disappointed him and he left the
ks ana lis Whole ls Ifc Tnsr
wou1Q scarcely nave been any limit to Mr..