The evening times., 1897-02-05

Senator Isham G. Harris, Of Tennessee
has IN all probability seen the last Of his
active days in the Senate. If he recovers
from lis present affliCtiOn it will be with
impaired vision and enfeebled health.
Senator Harris was born in Franklin
county, Tenn, many years ago. No one
knows exactly when, for most OF the people
vino were living at that time have long
since died, and as for the Senator, he keeps
the year OF his birth a profound secret
There could be found no easier way to insult
him than to ask him his age tits probable,
however, that he was born on February o,
1915, and wIlltlerefore be eighty-two years
old within few days. This date is fixed
by reason OF the fact that he was elected to
tile State senate OF Tennessee in 1S47, and
under the constitution Of that State had to
be at least thirty years OF age at that time
Senator harris was elected governor Of
Tennessee three times, serving from 1857
To 1853. He was active in the cause oHthe
COBfederacy and was dreaded by the
UnioniSts in the eastern part of the State
on account OF his vigorous policy He
offered $4,000 a head for the capture,
acting under the orders of the Secretary
OF War, at Washington, destroyed the
bridges OF Eastern Tennessee He was
popularity known, even in those days, as
''oId man Harris,'' and it is stated that
it would not have been safe for him to have
gone into certain sections OF his State for
years after the termination Of the war
During the last years OF the war he
served as a volunteer aide on the staff OF
the ecommanding general OF the Confederate
Army OF Tennessee. He was elected TO
the Senate in 1877 and has served as a
member Of that body ever since.
Senator Harris is small in statue, but
Possesses wonderful vitality. Up to his
present Illness ne has always been able
TO attend 10 the duties of his position.
During the prOtracted struggle over the
repeal OF the purchasing clause of the
Sherman act, he Was hardly ever out OF
his seat. and when younger and apparently
more vigorous Senators Were on the point
of succumbing to the terrible strain, he
looked as though he could stand it for an
indefinite per.oI Nothing could De more
indicative OF his endurance and will power
than the fact that after the operation was
performed on him, night before last, he
insisted upon getting up and closing a
window in his room, and would have sat
up If his physicians had rot insisted upon
him returning to his bed.
During all his career in the Senate he
was never known TO make a long speech,
but as a debater ne has few equals. His
tongue StiBgS like a lash. and the quality OF
mercy to political adversary is not in him.
Probably no abler parliamentarian has ever
sat in the Senate chamber John j. IN
gals was. perhaps, a better presiding Off
Ger than Harris. but Harris is better par
than ingalls,. His knowledge
OF parliamentary law is vast, and his ability
to command it wonderful.
Senator Harris has been on the District
Committee for about fifteen years. and has
always taken a great interest in local af
fairs He wa chairman of the committee
during the brief time the Democrats had
control OF the Senate, and is now the rank
ing Democratic member He has been, as
a rule. Inclined 10 be liberal in his treat
ruent OF the wants and demands OF the Dis.
trict people.
The Senator has always taken life Sc
riously It's doubtful il any one ever heard
him tell joke during the halfceutury he
has been in public life. The world has
BEEN battle groun.lto him, and he has done
his share OF the fighting