The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-29

at the battle of the Thames The boyhood
of the Ex-Governor was spent on a farm.
and from there he went to Center College,
at Danville, where he was graduated in
1867, marrying a year later Martha r. Whit
comb, daughter OF James Whitcomb, who
was Governor Of Indiana from 1S43 to 1s49.
The new couple moved to vermillion coun-
ty. Indiana, where nearly all of their welded
life has been passed. Mr.. Matthews's fond
ness on the farm turned to the raising of
fine cattle and he soon became known as
an expert on breeds of dairy cattle.
Although sClaude Matthews showed no
ambitions politically, his popularity led the
Democrats of Vermllion county to nom-
nate him for the Legislature while he was
absent from home. and he confirmed his
popularity by turning Republican major
ity averaging four hundred into a Demo-
cratic victory to the extent of three hum
dred plurality. This was in 1876. Mr.. Mat
thews did not come into any particular
prominence at this session, although he
created a favorable impression among those
with whom he came in contact. This serv-
ice in the Legislature led him to take a
keener interest in politics, although he did
not appear as a candidate for Office again
until fourteen years later, when the Demo-
Gratis began to look about for a suitable
candidate to head their ticket of 1890. 1t
was only after some persuasion that Mr..
Matthews consented to become candidate
for secretary of state. He was elected by
10000 plurality, the largest any Democrat
had ever received in the State. Two years
later he was reelected.
In 1892 Mr.. Matthews was nominated by
the Democrats for Governor. His name
was sprung late in the ante-convention
oay7 ion onIU ha n
show that he was the choice of the Democ-
racy He succeeded in keeping quite clear
of entanglements in the embroglia created
by the Gray and Cleveland factions, al
though Matthews was charged by some of
the managers with opposing Cleveland's
nomination. The canvass made by Matthews
was q notable one and he succeeded in
drawing immense crowds of farmers where
ever he appeared, his popularity being very
strong among agrculturists. His plurality
was 6976, greater than that Of any other
candidate.
Tie new Governor found many important
and some very veXatious problems of state
craft confronting him, but he took them
up earnestly and conscientiously The mat
ter of appointments to the various boards
and in the benevolent and penal institu-
tions was enough to appall any executive.
the right to make all the appointments the
act being passed by the aid of Republicans
some of the Democratic legislators being
opposed to the measure. The last Legis-
lature during Governor Matthews's term
was a Republican one, and there was con-
siderable conflict between Legislature and
executive. The Legislature passed appor-
tionment bills over the Governors head,
and the attempt to take away the appoint
ment of a Statehouse custodian from the
Governor led to the famous Statehouse riot
at midnight of the final session.
The big coal strikes involving miners in
Indiana and Illinois also tested the execu-
tive qualities of Governor Matthews. While
openly on the side of the strikers in sym
pathy, he defined his official position to the
leaders Of the strikers az a meeting held in
the Capitol before the strike actually oc-
Cured. In laying the matter before them,
he said, although his political future might
be endangered by it, he would uphold the
Constitution of the State, ard the moment
the strikers attempted to interfere with the
running of trains the conduct of busi-
ness it would be his duty to call out the
entire military resources of the State if
need be, to protect the interests Of citizens
and corporations in the legitimate transac-
ton of business. The Governor was true
to his word, and his prompt action in call
ing out the troops to help the county au-
thorities maintain order brought the trou-
BILE to a speedy end. When the famous A.
r. U. strike occurred in 1894 Governor Mat
thews said he was personally in sympathy
with the Pullman men, but he did not ap-
prove of the strike, as he considered it un-
necessary. He was compelled to send the
militia to Hammond during the trouble to
fnrfr ~ f6aro nd
no money in the treasury with which to
pay the militiamen the Governor gave his
personal notes for $4,000 to different banks
here and raised the money The next Leg
| islature made the necessary appropria ton.
In dealing with the prize-fighting and
horse-racing element of Lake county Gov.
Matthews took firm stand against the
| lawbI eakers and so persistent was his op-
| position that. after preparing to call out
| the militia and fighting the gamblers in the
| courts for a time. he finally succeeded in
| breaking up the nest.
1t was during his administration that the
| first step was taken in equalizing the taxes
| of the railroads so that the corporations
| paid their proportion of the taxes with the
people. Before the step was taken the rail-
| roads of the State were assessed only $780,
100000. but with the first reapportionment
the assessment went up to $3.50. 900 900, and
| has remained there ever since
Governor Matthews was the first of the
| prominent politicians of the State to take
| a stand for the recognition of the belliger-
| ent rights of the Cubans.
| The fact that Governor Matthews was a
practical farmer and stood shoulder to
| shoulder with his fellow-agriculturist
brought him many votes in the 1892 election.
| He was always urging the farmers of the
| State to organize among themselves for po-
| htical purposes, and did much to make
| them the power they are. His sympathies
| have always been with the working people,
and, though conservative, he did not hesi-
| tate to take advanced ground on public
| questions. Governor Matthews was a BIZ
metallist, and during the last presidential
campaign was firm supporter of Bryan
and the silver ticket.
| Since his retirement from public life he
| has lived on his farm in Vermillion county,
ana, though taking little active part in poll
| tics, has placed himself on record as against
| territorial expansion, though in doing so he
| claimed his stand was entirely nonpartisan
| and simply the expression of his personal
opinion. Governor Matthews was about six