The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-09
Turpie's Success Due Largely to His
PrOdigious Memory; Pratt's to His
Remarkable Industry.
BOTH GOOD STUMP SPEAKERS
TURPIE'S DEBATES WITH COLFAx
AND CAMPAIGN WITH MORTON.
Senator Pratt's Unswerving Probity
Redounded to Fame of the State
interesting Sidelights.

The character sketch of former United
States Senator David Turpie, in the Journal
Sunday, recalls 10 Judge D. P. Baldwin
interesting "reminiscences of two senators.
AT the Spencer House last night the judge
talked entertainingly about the late Senator
Pratt and Senator Turpie
The picture and sketch Of Judge Turpie
in Sundays Journal bring wildly to mind
the fact that two distinguished United
States senators were my law partners"
said Judge Baldwin. 81 lived for seven
years in the same Office with Daniel D.
Pratt, and the succeeding three with Judge
Turpie. Never were two men more unlike
In mental build and habits. Turpie gradu-
ated from college in 1S49 and studied law
with Pratt. 1 once heard Mr.. Pratt say
that one day distinguished man was to
speak. Being engaged so that he could not
go himself, he requested Turpie to attend
and report the points Of the speakers Pratt
said that upon his return Turpie gave him
almost the entire speech verbatim.
Turpies success in life was largely due
to his marvellous memory. 1t is the impress
sion OF the public that he is great reader
This is not true, or at least was not true
Wnen knew him in the sixties. No matter
ana ne was always ready to use it. Ex-
actly the contrary was MIR. Pratt. He was
one OF the most industrious of men-always
WIN law book in his hands, and never
resting until he had explained every detail
OF law and fact in his clients case
TURPIE'S ORIGINALITY.
Judge Turpie was the most original man
ever met When client came in he
would listen patiently to his case and tell
MIN TO call again for his opinion. Then he
would Put AIS feet up on the windowsll
ana look out upon vacancy for hours at a
stretch All this time he was bordering his
clients story. Meantime L would be busy
with statutes, digests and decisions. When
we met to talk ii over Turpie had invaria-
Oily complete theory of both law and
lact-lt was always original and plausible.
put oIten widely at variance with the deci-
sions, although never with any statute, for
those he had at his tongues end And il
was SO with political questions. He always
mad theory and il always squared with
the Democratic party. Once in the United
States Senate, when the division of Dakota
was on the carpet, he made a speech,
not be divided.
Mr. Pratt was never original man in
the foregoing sense. When, however, he
came t.in 10 Try conclusions before court and
jury ne seldom lost his case. Both Pratt
and Iurple were excellent public speakers
in fact, Turpie was one of the best stump
speakers of his day. In 1862 he debated with
Colfax, each day getting the best of the
argument while Colfax carried off the
| votes. Judge Turpie was the bitterest
stump speaker ! ever listened to. He had
no sympathy with the great movement
which led this Nation up and out from
| slavery. Republicanism was always the
red rag to the bull with him, and vet i'm
| private conversation he was the most for
bearing and charitable of men. L never
| heard him speak i'll of an opponent once
| heard ed him recite,, with great glee. how,
| In 1850, when he and Morton were canvass
| ing the State for Lieutenant Governor, one
| afternoon they nearly came to blows In
| their denunciation of each other. but al
| night they occupied the same bed rather
than sleep on the floor in some out-of-the-
way hotel.
PRATT'S RELIGION.
Mr.. Pratt and Judge Turpie were the
exact opposites in religious beliefs. The
| former was. a Unitarian-the latter ar
| Episcopalian. Pratt used often to say
to me, L can't comprehend the dogmas OF
the church and what / don't understand
cannot, honest man. subscribe to-
| Turpie always spoke reverently of the
| faith once delivered TO the saints Both OF
| these men always maintained a high
| standard of character. No scandal ever
| besmirched either of them, and Pratt
served at Washington in the days of the
/ Credit Mobilier. When the salary grab
| measure was passed he refused to take his
| 5000 back pay
while it is no doubt true that Morton
Harrison and Hendricks were broader and
| ADLER men than Pratt and Turpie, it i:
| equally true that they were no better OIL
more conscientious. And it is a PROUD
| thing for Indiana that there has never
| ton of her United States senator's. In
| variably she has sent to this high Office
the men, who, in her judgment, were tn,
best qualified to represent her. 'Suntt