Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1885 — OLD-TIME LEGISLATORS. [ARTICLE]

OLD-TIME LEGISLATORS.

Veterans of 1850-’sl Reunite at the State Capital, And Indulge inr Reminiscences of By-gone Days. Historical. Biographical, and Anecdotal. (From the Indianapolis Sentinel.] Survivors of the Convention of 1850. There was bnt a small gathering of visitors at the opening session of the rennion of the members of the Constitutional Convention of I*so at English's Opera House, the meeting b:ing simply for the purpose of organization. The spectators occupied the main auditor.nm, the stage being reserved for the members and the press. Hon. Wm. McKee Dunn, delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Jefferson County, called the meeting to order. Hon. Geo. W. Carr, who wa3 a delegate from the County of Lawrence to the State Constitutional i onvention of 185 c, and who was elected Pres dent of the convention by a vote almost unanimous, was called upon to preside over this meeting of the survivors of the convention. Hon. William H. English, who was the principal Secretary of the Constitutional Convention, was unanimously elected Secretary of the meeting. The following members responded to their names: Oliver P. Badger, delegate from Putnam County. Cromwell W, Barbour, delegate from Vigo County. Othnell Beeson, delegate from Wayne County, Horace P. Biddell, delegate from Cass County. Alexander B. Conduit, delegate from Morgan County. William McKee Dunn, delegate from Jefferson County. James B. Foley, delegate from Decatur County. John A. Graham, delegate from Miami C ounty, Jefferson Helm, delegate from Kush County. Thomas A. Hendricks, delegate from Shelby County. William S. Holman, delegate from Dearborn County, Phmeas M. Kent, delegate from Floyd County. Beattie McClelland, delegate from Randolph County. Samuel Pepper, delegate from Crawford County. James Keeney, delegate from Johnson County. S. B. Taylor, delegate from Laporte County. Henry G. Todd, delegate from Hendricks County. George W. Carr, delegate from Lawrence County. As the roll was called the Secretary announced the names of those who were certainly known to be dead, and it was found that the total survivors aggregated but thirty-three out of a convention composed of about 160 members. Utton conclusion of the roll-coil, Hon. Oliver P. Badger, delegate lrom Putnam County in the Constitutional Convention, invoked the divine blessing, the members rising to their feet. The ecretary announced that he had letters from two of the members of the convention, and on motion they were read. The letters were from Christopher C. Grah im and Gen. R. H. Milroy. A paper on “The Unwritten History of the Constiiutional Convention." written by Hon. John i. Morrison, a short time before his death, was read by Mr. English, to whom it was present d by & daughter of the writer. The evei ing session of the reunion was more largely attended by spectators than was that of the afternoon, and ihe programme proved an interesting one, addresses be ng made by Vice President Hendricks on “The Constitution and Its Amendments;” Hon. William H.English on“ The Personnel of the Convention;" Hon. William McKee Dunn, u on the Srominent features of the work of the conve ion; Hon Oliver P. Badger ot Putn m County, in an address which was in the beginning sentimental, in the middle biographical, and at the close humorous; and by Col. Taylor of Cuicago, Who was a member of the convention from Laporte County, and is still vigorous at the age of 84 years. Survivors of the Legislature of 1851. Fifty members of the Legislature of 1851 are still Jiving, and of these thirtv-el. ht were in attendance at the reunion at English’s Opera House. There was a fair audience'of ladies and gentlemen, the proceed.ngs being principally of au informal na ure, most of the time of the session being spent in renewing acquaintanceships and indulging in reminiscences of “ye olden time.” The meeting was called to order by Judge Niblack, and Hon. William H. English, Speaker of the first House under the new constitution, was called to pre-ide, and Dr. Andrew J. Hi y was chosen Secretary. The roll-call showed the following members present: Senate—William E. Niblack, Knox, Daviess and Martin; Josej h H. Defrees. Elkhart; R. D. Logan, Kush; J. A. Caven*, Washington. Believed to be living, but not present—George Berry, Eranklin; John Hunt, Hancock and Mad son mow living In Arkansas'; Ben Newland, Lawrence; John Witherow, Hendricks (now in ( alifornia); Frank Emerson, .lackson and Scott; 0. P. Davis, Park and Vermillion; Job Hatfield, Perry; James M. Seeth, Shelby. Total— l 2. House—Wm- H. English, Scott; Isaac D. G. Nelson, Allen; Andrew J. Hay, Clark: William S. Holman, Dearborn; Michael Thompson, Delaware: Phineas M. Kent, El yd; Samuel Davis, Franklin; Andrew Humphreys,Greene: John Lyle king, Jefferson; Martin D. Crim, Martin; RichardE’. Donaldson, Miami; Mahlon D. Manson, Montgomery; George W. McConnell, Steuben and Dervalb; Robert N. Hudson, Vigo; Calvin Cowgill, Wabash: Joseph M. Bulla, Wayne. Total—l 6. Bt-lieved to be living, but not present—John Crawford, Adams: Wi liam B Beach mow living at Providence, R. L , Bo ne; Joun Scudder, Daviess; Henry W. Barker, Dubois; Jacob Dice. Fountain; Zimri Reynolds, Grant; Samuel T. Wells, Jackson; Robert Huey, Jay; Francis F. Mayfield, Jefferson: Edward P. Hicks, Jennings; Franc.s Henry, Lagrange; John Eaverty (now th mght to be living in Nebrask i), Morgan; Daniel C. Stover, Montgomery; David S. Hnffstetter, Orange; Milton Walker, Ferry; D. C. Donahue, Putn in; Hiram H. Hart, lUplev; Thomas M. Smith, Spencer; Theophilus Chowning, Sullivan; Gilbert C. Mudget , Steuben and BeKalb: Godlove O. Behrn, Tippecanoe. Total members of House believed to be llviu37. Hon. W. H. Fnglish, on taking the chair at the evening session, said: Gentlemen of the reunion: I thank you sincerely for assigning me the dnty ot presiding over this meeting, and I recognize that the selection is made, mainly, because I am the surviving presiding o i cer of the first Leg.slature held under the present Constitution. I perform the duty with mingled feelings of pleasure and of pain, which I find it difficult to express—pleasure in meeting azain comrades of a thi d of a century ago, and pain at the realization of the fact that so manv have passed away, and that the others must speedily lollow J have never so fully realized the shortness of life and the transitory nature of all worldly honors and r spons bilitles, as 1 have since the call far this reunion has developed that so many of my old comrades are dead. “When 1 remember all The f iends so link’d together J’ve seen around me fall. Like leaves in wintry weather, I feel 11 re one Who treads alone Some banquet hall deserted, Whose light- a e Hod, Whose eat lands dead. And all but he departed.” Of the little body of great men who formed the first Constitution of Indiana, in Kuo, all have long since passed awi-y, as have also, 1 believe. all the members of the first thirteen General Assemblies of the Stat ■. 1 may be m staken in thi‘, but if there be a surviving member of any Legislature of this St te, held prior to 1811, Ido not know it, and I h ve made dii g nt in ui -v to a-c it in. The General Assembly wh’ch met in 1835 was the ‘2oth that had bpen held up to that date, and the tot 1 Ol members e’e-ted would nggregatt thousands, and yet to day you coul 1 piobanly count all who survive on the lingers of one hind. Even including all the Legislatures up to 1840, th re are probably not over a dozen surviving of the thousands com: osing the twentyfive Legislatures which had then be n held. Coming fi-e years further on, to 1K45, would probably nos increase the number to over twenty-five. "Sou would doubtless like to know who these

venerable arid patriotic survivors are. To state something of the personnel of the first General Assembly held under the present Constitution, and to give some account as to who are the survivors ot the preceding Legislatures, will be the object of this address. I have already said that I hare not heard of any one being alive who was a member of any Legislature of this State held prior to 1831. There may be, of course, and one of my objects in making this address is to call ont the f«cts as they exist. 1831I may be mistaken, but I think that Hon. Alexander C. Stevenson, who represented Putnam County In the House of Representatives in 18J1-2, Is theonly surviving member. f that Legislature, and ot all the Legislatures back to the organization of the State. 1832I next come to the General Assembly of 1832-3. I have not been able to find that any member of that Legi.-lature survives except John C. Parker, then one of the Representatives from the County of Clarke. 1833My father was a member of the Legislature of 1832-3 and also of lt>33-4, and I have often heard him talk about the session being held in the old Court House of Marion County, and also about who were then members, but I have been unable to find that any of the Legislature of 1833-4 are now alive. Daniel M. Bradbu> y was a member of that Legislature from Wayne County, and was taking much interest in this rennion, but unfortunately he died since the call was Issued, as aid also Senator George B. Walker, of Cass County, and Representative Thomas S. Stanfield, of St. Joseph County, showing how rapidly these pioneers in the legislation of the State are passing away. 1834I now come to the Legislature of 1834-5. I have knowledge of but one member of that body being alive, and that is my distinguished friend, Col. Xtichard W. 'ihoinpson, whom I am sure you all delight to honor. Incidentally I will state a fact in connection with this Legislature which may be of interest, as it illustrates the wonderful progress the country has made sin je that time. It is that the record shows that Henry Brady, who recently died near this city, was then (1835) the sole representative of Marion and Hamilton counties and all the country north of the great Miami Ke-ervation. 183 -6. I find that my friend Thompson was returned to the next Legislature, which met in December, 1835, and with him < ame another of my old friends—David Macy—then a Representative from Henry County, and now a highly esteemed citizen of Indianapolis, and, as far as 1 know, is another old friend, Christopher C. Graham, now a resident of Red Wing, Minn. 1836It is a little singular that the same three gentlemen, Thompson, Macy, and Graham, are survivors of then xt Legislature— 1 36-7—to which may be added Joshua B. Huckaby, a Representative from Perry County, and Dr. Graham N. E itch, who subsequently served with distinction in the Senate of the United States. 1837Macy and Graham again turned up as the sole survivors, as far as I know, of the Legislature of 1837-8. My friend Thompson seems not to have been a member. Whether a political cyclone struck him about that time, or he went up higher, or got tired of the business, he can tell you more entertainingly than any man alive. 1838As to the General Assembly of 1838-t), George W. Carr and 0. C. Graham are, as far as I know, the only survivors; so that it would seem that of the twenty-three Legislatures held up to that tim ■, there are probably less tha i a dozen now living. I know of but eight at this time, but there may be more, and probably are. These Legislatures were all held before my day, but I now come to Legislatures of which I have some personal knowledge 1839The first Legislature I ever saw was the Indiana Legislature of X839-’4O It was a great event to me, at that time of my humble life, and has made a marked impression on my memory. I rode three days on horseback from Scott County to Indianapolis, in winter weather and over the worst possible roads, to see it and to attend a Democratic State Convention, although I was not then of age by several rears. Incidentally, I may say that the convention nominated General Tighlman A. How rd for Governor. He was badly beaten, .although a very superior man; so 1 tasted the bitter of the political defeat of my party early, and had so much i f it in he last twenty-live vears that I have lea: ned to take such things unite philosophically. Indianapolis had then a population of only a few thousands, but was putting on city airs even at that eaily date. I remember there was a riot one night soon after my arrival, grow ing ont of he m rriage of a negro man and whl.e woman, and it made a terrible sensation Mv father, who was a member of the Indiana Leg slature > t one time or another for nearly twenty years, was a member of that Legislature, and I re l ember thao I boarded with him, during my stay of several weeks, at a house kspt by Bazil Brown on the east side of Indiana avenue, near Tennessee street. The house is still standing, bnt I think every one of the persons stopping there, and there were many, have long since passed away, and I know of bnt lour members of that Legislature now alive. They are Judge Fabius M. Finch, Alexander C. Stevenson, James S. Shively, and Amzi L. Wheeler. 1810-41. As to the Legislature of 1840-41, theonly members of It that I know to be alive are A. C. Stevenson, Geo. W. Carr. James Ritchey, C. C. Graham, and Aaron Rawlings. 1841At the next Legislature, 1841-42, my venerable friend Josepn F. Brown, who I am glad to see here to-night, was principal Clerk of the House, and he iniorms me that tie knows of but seven members of that Legislature now living, viz.: Geo W. Carr, James Ritchey, A. C. Stevenson, Christopher C. Graham, Aaron Rawlings, James S. Shively, and John Pitcher. 1842I was present at the organization of the Legislature of 1842-43, and had acquaintance With many of the m mbers, as I was then, for the firt-t time, a candidate for a legislative office and trying to learn the art of "electioneering with the members.” Of th ise surviving of that delegation I can name only: Aqudla Jones, now Kostmastir of lndianapo is: Amzi L. Wheelor, George W. Carr, Joshua B. imekaby, James Ritchey and E’ranklin Hardin. 1843I had a very intimate acquaintance with the members of the Legislature of 1843-4 by reason of being th? principal Clerk of the House of Representatives. Judge William T. Otto, long the Reporter of the Supreme Courtof the United States, was the Secretary of that Senate, and is st 11 living, but Jess j D. Bright the President of the Senate, and Andrew T., Robinson, tha Speaker of the House, and nearly all of the 150 men who were my associates in that Legislature, busy with the affairs of state, and full of the hopes and ambitions and cares of life, have gone to their eternal rest. I called the roll of the 100 members of that House a great many times in that day, but alas, were I to call it now 1 know but five members left to answer, and but four Senators. George W. Carr, George Berry, James R tch y, and John Pitcher are the Senators, and the Representatives are Augustus C. Handy, W. VV. Connor, Dsvid Macy, and my old and highly valued friend, David McClure, who was from my own conntv. We rode three days on horseback over the wor t roads ever seen by mortal man to reach the capital. He came a greater distance in about three hours to attend this meeting. 1844I now come to the Legislature of 1844-5. When that l egislature met, the duty devolved on me, as Chief CLrk, or calling the House to order If I should call the same old roll tonight, I think iess than a dozen would be found al ve to answer. I will call mch as I know to bo living: A. O. Stevenson, Speaker; Alexander B. Con uit, Franklin Hardin, David McClure, James S. Shiveley, J. B. Huckaby, William W r . Conner, 1 obert Huey, Augustus 0. Handy; and of the Senate, George Berry and James Ritchey. There may he others, but these are all I know ti be alive. 1 went to Washing on City before the cl se of that ses ion, where I rem fined several years, and, consequently, had no connection with the Indiana Legislature until I was elected to the hist one held under the new Constitution. FltOM ’45 TO ’sl. I pass over the Leg slatures which met during mv absence in Wash ngton becutseof my lack of information about them and because othirs are here better prepared to speak of them—such m n as William El. Niblack. Delano El. Williamson, Andrew flumphrois. M. L. Bundy, Joa. i). Deirces. I. B. Julian, JohnW. Dodd, J. A. Cravens, Jonathan S. Harvey. Joseph M. Bulla, Michael Thompson. C. F. Donaldson, A. B. Conduit, George W. Carr, and other gentlemen who l see present,but have not time to name, were members ot those Legisla-

tures. and they were all important and able Legislatures. 1851-2. In what I have further to say on this occasion I sha 1 sneak only of the first Legislature held under the present constitution It was the understanding in advance that it was going to be a i egislature of unusnal importance. The new Constitution had just been adopted by an immense majority of the electors. Its adoption made a careful revision of the laws necessary in ordei that they should conform to Its prov sions. The work devolved on the Legislature was, in fact, a continuation of the work begun and outlined by the convention. The new Constitution required that the forms and practice in the courts, which had before that time been very intricate and voluminous, should be revised and simplified, the pleading made more uniform, the then prevailing distinction between law and equity abolished, and that the general statute law of the State should be redu ed to a plain and systematic code. "The whole temple of State government, from spire to foundation stone, had to be taken down, remodeled, and rebuilt, so as to conform to the new Constitution and the progress and improvements of the age.” To do all this properly, and much more that was devolved on the first Legislature, required time, and conse.,uen ly that Legislature was not restricted by the Constitution as to length or session. It was necessarily longer in session than any Legislature ever held in the State, having met on the Ist of December, 1851, and adjourned on the 15th of June, 1852. The public wisely recognized the need of doing the work well of these great reforms, and, looking to that end, elected a strong Legislature. Many of the members had served in the convention which framed the Constitution and in previous Legislatures, and, as a whole, it was a splendid body of representative men. A dance over the list will > how many names of high standing and recogDized abil ty, most of whom were called to high and honorable positions. Great as was the number of mem-bt-rs of the Constitutional Convention called to represent the people in the Congress of the United States, more were called from the Legislature, viz: ,iames H. Lane, John G. Davis, Norman Eddy, George G. Dunn, David P. Holloway, Janies I). Williams, all dead; and William El. Niblack, James A. Cravens, Joseph H. Defrees, Mahlon 1). Manson, Andrew Humphr ys, Calvin Cowgill. William S’. Holman and William H. English, all of whom are present. This Legislature is also ahead as to the number of its members Uansferred to the Supreme Bench, the convention having furnished three and the Legislature five, as follows: W. E. Niblack, who will next address you, and Samuel H. Buskirk, James H. Hannah, William E\ fctewart, and Samuel B. Gookins, who are dead. This Legislature also furnished a Governor of the state, James D. Williams; a Lieutenant Governor, Mahlon D. Munson; a Clerk of tne Sui reme Court, William B. Beach; two Secretaries of State, Norman Eddy and James S. Athon; two Generals in the Union army, Slack and Manson, and numerous other public officers. At the close of Mr. English's remarks Judge Niblaik was introduced, and addressed the meeting at length. He was followed by Hon. W. S. Holman, Hon. Robert N. Hudson of Vigo County, Hon. John Lyle King of Chicago, and Col. R. W. Thompson. The hour for adjournment having arrived, Mr. English rose and said: “In the act of adjourning the House of Representatives of the first Legislature held under the present constitution, my last and parting words to the memb ra from the Speaker’s chair were these: ” *’ ‘Eet ns separate as a band of brothers, each one prepared to say of the other through the rest ot lire, ‘‘he is my friend; we served together in the first Legislature under the new constitution.” “These words are as appropriate to-night as they were a third of a century ago, and so now,'with the consciousness that we shall not all ever meet again on this earth, I repeat, not only to the members present of the Legislature of 1851-2, bnt to all the members of this reunion: "' Let us separate as a band of brothers, each one prepared to say to the other through the rest of life, he is my friend—we served together in the councils of the State many long years ago, and renewed our friendship in the great legislative reunion of 1885.” 1 now perform the last melancholy duty of declaring this greeting adjourned.”