The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-06-16
MAJOR MARTIN MAGINNIS
Appointed United States Senator b
Governor Smith.

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Governor Smith.
The following sketch of Major Mar
tin Maginnis, recently appointed United
States senator by Governor Smith OF
Montana, will be OF interest at this
time:
Martin Maginnis was born in Wayne
county, New York, in the autumn OF
IS4I. He attended the public schools
and the Macedon academy until he was
10 years old, when his father moved
west with his family and became one OF
the pioneer settlers Of Goodlue county,
Minnesota. Martin Maginnis entered
Hamline university in his 10th year and
was at the head Of the senior class at
the breaking out Of the war. He en-
listed in the 1st Minnesota with large
number OF his fellow students at the
first calf of the president. The regi-
ment was Immediately ordered to the
front and became one OF the noted regi-
ments of the war. He was first placed
on guard at the capitol and shortly
afterwards ordered into Virginia.
The regiment led the advance in the
Bull Run campaign, leaving the largest
number of dead and wounded on that
field, and had the unique distinction OF
bringing back a large squad Of confed-
crate prisoners to Washington. The
regiment was i'll the battles OF Edwards
Ferry, and went up the valley with
Shields. 1t was then incorporated in
the second army corps and took part in
all the battles under Scdgwicll, Sumner
and Hancock. At Gettysburg it made
the most desperate charge in the annals
Of modern war, losing Sc per cent OF Tho
men engaged.
Lieutenant Maginnis commanded a
company OF "a men and had II killed
and 10 wounded After this battle he
remained with the army Of the Poto-
mac until Grants battle of Cold Har-
Dor Having attained the rank OF ma
jor, he was sent with new regiment tc
Thomas in the West He was made
provost marshal general OF Tennessee
on the staff of Military Governor An,
drew Johnson. He did not like this
and at his own request went back to the
line and was at the battles of Franklin
and Nashville.
He returned to Minnesota in June
1865, and remained one year at his ole
home editing a democratic newspaper
In 1866 he organized an expedition o
l4o men and 40 wagons and, crossing
the plains by the route Of the presen
Great Northern road, moved into
Helena in the fall of 1866. He minee
for year and in the fall OF 1877 tool
charge OF the Helena Gazette, now the
Independent. In 1872 he was nom
mated delegate to congress, and after
hard campaign defeated the repub
lican champion, William FL Caggett
He was reelected five successive times
defeating all the republican leaders. HI
was a most successful and efficient del
cgatc, Major Maginnis procured tho
passage OF many necdful laws, the mos
noted OF which is the general right o
way for railroads over the public lands
| which put an end to special charter:
and under which many thousands O
miles of Western railways have beer
built
He was the chairman OF the tcrritor.
ial delegates, and for years their recog
nized leader. He procured many ap.
preparations for the territory, notably
those for the assay offices, the rebuild
ing for military posts, Keogh, Custer
Assinniboine, Missoula and Fort Ma.
ginnis, which was named after him by
General Sherman as recognition Of
his services in the protection OF the
frontiers. He was the orator on a
noted occasion at Arlington. He de-
livered the address at the dedication oil
d
the new cemetery at Gettysburg and
was the orator of the army Of the Po-
tomac at its reunion in the city OIL
Washington. He was active in procur-
ing the right of way for the Grea,
Northern and in the abolition and re-
duction of several immense Indian res
ervations. He was elected by the frs
democratic legislature i'll company witt
w. A. Clark to the United States sen.
ate, when both were unseated by par.
tisan vote. He has taken an active
part in every democratic campaig,
irsince he came to Montana, and has al
ways been an independent, loyal ane
| faithful democrat and identified with M