Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-10
Speech of Hon. A. T.. Wise.

lldDd legislature was devoted 10 eulO-
gies on the life and character of the late
Gov. Matthews. Among the orators
was Representative Wise of this place
who spoke as follows:
Mr.. Speaker and Gentlemen of the
House:
81 rise to perform very sad and
delicate duty; sad, because at this very
moment L recall the death of promi
nent citizen of my own state that oc-
Cured a short time ago; delicate, be
cause | possess 4 weakness of sympa-
thizlng with all suffering mankind dur
ing all their trials and tribulations. At
this time my heart beats in perfect uni
son with those bleeding hearts that but
few months ago were struck with the
sudden and unexpected announcement
of the death of loving husband, a kind
father and an admiring friend. know,
too, that whatever i may say here today
in admiration of the late Governor Mat
thews that would be consoling to the
members of his family and to the peo-
pie of his state could never restore the
loss nor heal the wound.
whenever l participate in an occas-
ion of this kind | am always reminded
Of the fact that we must all. sooner or
later. answer TO the last roll-call and
finally join the innumerable caravan be-
yond the grave, from whose bourne no
traveller ever returns. Yes, my fellow
representatives of this general assembly,
we all know that life is uncertain and
death is certain. We know not what
year, what month, what hour you
or | may become victims of death.
However that may be, am pleased to
have this opportunity of expressing my
admiration for the deceased.
Governor Matthews, as we are pleased
to call him, was born on farm In the
state of Kentucky in the year 1845,
moved with his father to VermilliOn
county, this state, in 1868, where he re-
sided all his life except the short time
he was serving the people of Indiana,
first, as secretary of state, afterward as
governor. He also served the people of
his county in the legislature of 1877.
His is another sample where the farm
boy has risen, step by step, OH the lad
der of fame until he reached the highest
position within the gift of the people of
his state.
"Of his private life | know but little,
but as the governor of his state he was
man of tirmness, of ability. His term
as governor was surrounded with al
most innumerable difficulties, but he
was master of every condition that
arose. It was his belief that it was his
bounden duty to MAINTAIN peace and
order at any cost. How well he sue
ceeded the history of our state speaks
in no unmistak able terms.
"When the labor difficulties arose in
this state | was commander of a mill
tary company organized and equipped
under the laws of this state. | recall
very distinctly the receipt of telegram
ordering my command to the scene of
the trouble, where we assisted in ex-
ecuting the laws of our state and in re-
act of magnanimity that occurred after
ward was one of the most commendable
acts of his public life. When be mort
gagged his home to secure money with
which to pay the boys who assisted
him in executing the law of this state
he performed duty that has erected
in the hearts of these boys monument
of everlasting remembrance that sur
passes in beauty and in glory all the
monuments of granite or marble.
"In politics he Was democrat lie
was firm believer that the democratic
ideas were more suitable to the interests
of the farmers and wage-earners than
the policies advocated by the republi
can party He believed that protect
i've tariff was oppressive to the laboring
man, claimed by the republican party
to be the principal beneficiary.
"He espoused the cause of bimetal-
lism in the campaign of 1896 with much
esrnestness and sincerity. Although
not a brilliant orator he succeeded in
establishing bis position with convinc
ing arguments.
81 say to you this afternoon that
honestly and sincerely believe that the
name of Claude Matthews has baen
written in the hearts of all the people
as one who loved his fellow-men.
"Now, in conclusion, l want to say
that while was unable 20 be present
upon the occasion of his funeral, the
press accounts revealed to me that men,
women and children from all walks of
life turned out almost en- masse to pay
the last tribute of respect that the liv-
ing can pay TO the dead. That, | say,
is the best and highest evidence of
their admiration for him. lie was