Glass. Book A/u dinted . — y -U*X HEADS OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE AT THE SESSION OF 1842-3. BY THE EDITOR OF "THE INDEPENDENT MONITOR." TUSKALOOSA, (ALA.) PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY M. D. J. SLADE 1843. * l^fff NOTE. The circulation given by the newspaper press of Alabama, to the " Heads of the Legislature," first published in the " Independent Monitor" between March 1, and April 26, 1843, induced the Publisher to issue them in a form more convenient for perusal, and better adapted to supply the demand, of which the editions of his paper fell short. The introduc- tory and closing remarks explain the object of the author in preparing the sketches. To the fidelity of their execution, there has been general assent. The Legislature, of which " Heads" are publish- ed, convened December 5, 1842, and adjourned February 15, 1843 — making a laborious session of seventy-two days. LIST OF "HEADS." HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of Greene, Pnge 10 Mr. Speaker Erwin, of Gre< Abernathy, of Benton, Banks, of Tuscaloosa, Barclay, of Talladega, Barron, of Perry, Bishop, of Talladega, Bothwell, of St. Clair, Bridges, of Wilcox, Caffey, of Montgomery, Cain, of Walker, Calhoun, of Dallas, Campbell, of Mobile, Clay, of Madison, Cochran, of Benton, Cooper, of Cherokee, Crowder, of Pike, Cunningham, of Monroe, Dear, of Wilcox, "J Dortch, of Sumter, Douglass, of Lauderdale, Dubose,of Clarke, Dunklin, of Lowndes, Dunn, of Mobile, Earle, of Jefferson, English, of Limestone, Erwin, of Mobile, Finley, of Jackson, Fletcher, of Marshall, Fowler, of Blount, Gamble, of Henry, Gardner, of Pickens, Garland, of Franklin, Gasque, of Baldwin, 14 15 16 17 18 19 19 21 22 23 25 29 30 31 33 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 41 41 43 44 45 46 47 47 48 49 Mr. Gresham, of Tallapoosa, - . Page 50 Griffin, of Marshall, . . -51 Harris, of Russell, - - - 52 Harrison, of Lowndes, - _ 53 Henderson, of Butler, " - - 54 Hendrix, of Cherokee, " - - 54 Henley, of Marengo, . . _ cr Hill, of Bibb, - - 56 Hodges, of Pike, " - - - 56 Hubbard, of LaAvrence, 57 Jackson, of Barbour, - - - 60 Jones, of Conecuh, " - - 62 Jones, of Covington, - , _ 53 Jones, of Greene, - - - 64 Kendrick, of Coosa, qq Kennedy, of Lauderdale, 67 Kennedy, of Marion, - - -• 68 Kidd, of Shelby, . - 69 Lankford, of DeKalb, - - 70 Marchbanks, of Fayette, 72 Martin, of Benton, ... 72 McClung, of Madison, 70 McCoy, of Mobile, ... 75 McLemore, of Chambers, 75 Mc Million, of Jefferson, ... 79 Merriwether, of Tuskaloosa, 79 Miree, of Perry, ... 79 Mitchell, of Autauga, . _ _ gj Moore, of Madison, §2 Moore, of Perry, 33 Morgan, of Autauga, §4 Morgan, of Chambers, §5 Morris, of Fayette, 86 Morrisett, of Monroe, ... §7 Morrison, of Bibb, §9 Mundy, of Jackson, 90 Murphy, of Randolph, 92 Norman, of Franklin, 93 Norris, of Dallas, 94 Oliver, of Macon, 95 Pettit, of Barbour, ... 96 Pickett, of Marengo, 98 Porter, of Tuskaloosa, ... 95 Pynes, of Henry, - . _ 102 Rice, of Morgan, - 103 Mr. Richeson, of Franklin, - - Page 104 Robinson, of Madison, ... 105 Roby, of Morgan, .... 107 Scott, of Jackson, .... 107 Skipper, of Dale and Coffee, - - 109 Smith, of Lauderdale, - - - 112 Smith, of Pickens, - - - 113 Smith, of Tuskaloosa, -• - - 114 Storrs, of Shelby, .... 121 Tate, of Limestone, - - - 122 ^ Turner, of Washington, Valliant, of Lawrence, - - - 123 Walker, of Lawrence, - - 124 Ware, of Montgomery, - - - 125 Watts, of Butler, - - 126 Wharton, of Blount, - - 128 Williams, of Jackson, - - - 128 Williams, of Pickens, - - - 129 Winston, of DeKalb> - - .129 Winston, of Sumter, - - 131 Witherspoon, of Greene, - - - 132 "* Woodward, of Sumter, - 133 SENATE. Mr. President Terry, of Limestone, - Page 135 Arrington, of Butler and Pike, - 137 Baylor, of Jefferson and St. Clair, - - 139 Brindley, of Blount and Marshall, - - 140 Buford, of Barbour and Russell, - - 140 Creagh, of Clarke, Baldwin and Washington, 142 Dailey, of Macon and Tallapoosa, - - 143 Dent, of Tuskaloosa, - - - 144 Fleming, of Madison, - - - 145 Foster, of Cherokee and DeKalb, - - 146 Hall, of Autauga and Coosa, - - 147 Hudson, of Franklin, - - - 148 Hunter, of Lowndes, ... 150 Jones, of Sumter, .... 152 King, of Pickens, .... 154 McAllister, of Henry, Covington and Dale, 155 McClanahan, of Morgan and Walker, - 155 McConnell, of Talladega, - - - 156 McVay, of Lauderdale, - - - 159 Moores, of Marengo, - - - 161 Oliver, of Montgomery, ... 162 Phillips, of Dallas, - - 164 Reese, of Chambers and Randolph, 166 Rodgers, of Lawrence, - - 167 Ross, of Wilcox, - - - 169 Thornton, of Greene, - - 170 Toulmin, of Mobile, - - 172 Walker, of Benton, - - - 173 Walthall, of Perry, - - • - 174 Watkins, of Monroe and Conecuh, . - 175 Watrous, of Shelby, - - 175 Wilson, of Fayette and Marion, - - 176 Wilson, of Jackson, - - - 177 HEADS OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE. The impression generally prevails, that the mea- sures of the late session will have a very decided bearing, for good or for evil, on the interests and destinies of the people of Alabama. To this opinion we heartily subscribe, but shall not leave it to con- jecture to determine on what side the action of the Legislature will, in our judgment, preponderate. It has been justly remarked, in several prints of the State, that the late session was distinguished for superior talent and experience among the members ; and from such an occurrence, by no means very usual in this State, it would be unfair to the public if they did not reap better fruits than they had been accus- tomed to receive from the Legislature. The fact is, there will be excitement for a year or two, in the community, in relation to what has been done with 9 10 MR. ERWIN, OF GREENE. the Banks, and for the maintenance of the public faith; yet, the time cannot be distant, when the salutary effects of those measures will be demonstra- ted, and when their authors and supporters will be thanked for their firmness, as well as for their saga- city. In view, then, of the judgment to be pronounced by the popular mind, on the legislation to which we have referred, we shall introduce each member of the Legislature, so far as our knowledge extends, to the contemplation of our readers. Of course, our sketches will be brief, but not the less faithful to character. The order in which we shall examine members, is that of the roll. Mr. Speaker ERWIN, (Of Greene.) His official position in the House, puts his name at the head of the roll, while it renders him the most conspicuous object of attention. The political cha- racter of this gentleman is as much an enigma, as he is personally remarkable. To do him complete jus- tice, he should never be classed with either of the two parties ; for his nature forbids such an associa- tion. In 1838, he was a firm champion of the late Bank of the United States, and a most inveterate op- ponent of the Sub-Treasury. Then, Henry Clay was, in his opinion, the greatest and safest statesman MR. ERWIN, OF GREENE. 11 in existence, and Martin Van Buren no better than he should be. With the next year came a change of doctrine, and with it, his separation from the whig- party. Ever since, his course has been the subject of speculation and distrust. The Democrats prefer honoring their original friends, to eleventh hour re- cruits. This was signally the case in the last elec- tion for Congress, when the claims of Mr. Erwin were passed over with something of abruptness. But there are points in Mr. Erwin's character, in which it is far more interesting to consider him. Twenty years ago he emigrated from Kentucky, his native State, and settled in the adjoining county, where he has since resided. He is represented to have been a young man without fortune, or any strik- ing promise in his profession ; and, as was very natu- ral, under such circumstances, he was made to feel the stings of poverty, which long indisposition in his family rendered but the more keen and harrassing. All this time, his bearing was that of a manly and in- dependent spirit. Self-confidence never deserted him; and it is said he even solaced himself, at that gloomy period of his fortunes, with threats of putting his ene- mies to shame. By the aid of a few personal friends, who understood and valued his merits, the office of justice of the peace was conferred on him ; the du- ties of which he discharged so promptly and well, that he monopolized nearly all the business within his jurisdiction. His assiduity and method in that situation became proverbial ; his practice at the bar gradually assumed a wider range, and in the course of eight or ten years, he stood among the leaders of 12 MR. ERWIN, OF GREENE. his profession, not only in the value of his practice, but for ability. A man constituted like Mr. Erwin, and experienc- ing, as he did in the outset of life, the inconvenience of poverty, and the sneers of the purse-proud, will find no difficulty of taking care of himself when for- tune turns propitious. By his indefatigable diligence, his uniform punctuality, and bold assertion of his rights, Mr. Erwin has acquired an ample provision of the good things of life ; and it only now remains for him to run that career of political ambition and suc- cess which it is natural he should desire, and for which many believe him peculiarly qualified. Among the infirmities of Mr. Erwin, (and the greatest men have infirmities of some kind,) is too much prolixity in his speeches, either at the bar, on the hustings, or in the legislature. Though he talks with excellent sense all the time, and is frequently instructive and eloquent, yet there is a circle of repetition and diffuseness in his six-hour speeches, and even those of a less duration, which fatigues his hearers, and often destroys impressions which it was his object to produce and preserve. This habit, owing, no doubt, to his sanguine feelings, and relish for vocal harmony, renders him an unwel- come figure in debate, even among his friends, who appear often at a loss to decide whether their cause has gained by the ability of his arguments, or has suffered by the too intense and protracted action of his lungs. This quality does not, however, detract from his superior fitness as a presiding officer. Ten years ago, he was President of the Senate, and is said, MR. ERWIN, OF GREENE. 13 even at that early period of his public life, to have acquitted himself with dignity and praise. A better choice, indeed, none so good, for Speaker of the late House of Representatives, could have been made in that body. Mr. Erwin possesses a high bred courtesy, a quick and discriminating percep- tion of all the forms and usages common among gentlemen, and which are incorporated in the par- liamentary law. In keeping the business of the House, in stating questions, and in deciding points of order, however intricate or frequently raised, Mr. Erwin acted with great facility and correctness. He richly deserved the unanimous vote of thanks which he received at the adjournment. We have already devoted more space to one sub- ject of our sketches than we can extend to each prominent member of the House. In regard to Mr. Erwin, generally, it is only fair to say, that he is an able lawyer, a man of indomitable energy, of scru- pulous honor in his engagements, and of polished, though not very cordial address. There is evident- ly a sourness in him towards mankind, which, dis- guised as it may be, is too manifest ever to multiply warm personal friends, either by advances on his part, or by others. His ordinary civilities, than which none are more genteel, are so impatient and constrained, that the object of them sees that they do not proceed from a kind or benevolent disposi- tion; and for that reason they seldom captivate. His manners are haughty in the extreme, and beto- ken a generous estimation of himself. Towards those understood to take part against him in any 2* 14 MR. ABERNATHY. respect, he is unforgiving, and often scorches them with sarcasm. But in spite of all these peculiarities, Mr. Erwin is a considerable man; — one destined, perhaps, to act a still more conspicuous part in the affairs of Alabama. But, we said in the beginning of this article, that he did not properly belong to either political party. Such, we still believe, is the fact ; though, to prevent misconception or injustice, we give it as our opinion, that he does belong to a party, and to only one — the " Erwin" party. A man of his emulation and bearing would never be reconciled to any other interest. Mr. Erwin, we should judge, was about forty-five years of age, though he has a youthful appearance, and one highly indicative of talents. Mr. ABERNATHY, (of Benton,) Is a merchant, and appeared quite attentive to the business of his constituents. We never heard him address the House, except a few words by way of motion ; still, we saw no evidence that he could not have interested his fellow members, had he been so disposed. Though not exactly from the mountain region, yet he is a democrat of that school. MR. BANKS. 15 Mr, BANKS, (of Tuscaloosa,) Is an independent planter, and made his debut in public life, the first day of the session, on the strength of the largest vote ever given to a representative of his county. He is a gentleman of great modesty of character, firm in his political convictions, and never wavering when a sense of duty calls him to act. He addressed the House on a few occasions, and was listened to with respect; though he was usually excited, or at least spoke as if the question was one of feeling, personal to himself. We recollect dis- tinctly the vehemence of his tone and manner, when he explained to the House his reasons for supporting Mr. Campbell's amendment to the revenue bill. Had we not heard him on the stump, and known his earnestness, we should have inferred that Mr. Banks was highly indignant, and that he was going to make war, forthwith, upon some luckless adversary. This excitement will give way, no doubt, to further practice in public speaking ; but there will always remain enough to convince his hearers that he not only believes, but feels, what he is saying. Mr. B. is warm in his friendships, studious of the interests of the people, and bids fair, young as he is, to make a useful legislator. His education is liberal, and he bestows much attention on passing events. With these aids, he cannot be otherwise than qualified to assert and defend the rights of his constituency. He belongs to the Whig party. 16 MR, BARCLAY. Mr. BARCLAY, (Of Talladega,) Is no doubt a well disposed member, and used his best exertions to serve the people to whom he was indebted for his seat. Certain it is that no gentle- man exhibited a greater or more frequent anxiety to know the state of the question, or to have his doubts removed as to what would be the effects of his vote on it. It was by no means a rare occurrence that Mr. Barclay expressed a change of opinion after he had voted, and thereupon applied to the House for permission to make the journal set forth his latest conclusion. He is entitled to the thanks of mem- bers distant from the clerk's table, for his great assiduity in having bills read for his own informa- tion, when in fact, members who had just entered the hall, pending the question, were as much profit- ed as himself by the reading. The subjects that appeared to excite his attention most, were those which related, in some way, to justice's courts ; a circumstance so generally noticed, that an intima- tion was thrown out from some quarter on the floor, that he was legislating for the interests of a certain profession, some of whose members were in the habit of addressing those republican tribunals. Mr. Bar- clay disabused the House of its suspicions, by declar- ing that he was no lawyer, — an act of frankness on his part for which he was rewarded with the smiles of members of the bar present, who seemed to re- joice that the dignity of their profession could sur- vive the disclaimer. As a speaker, Mr. Barclay did MR. BARRON. 17 not assume any great pretension, though he was not unfrequently on the floor. His eloquence, if such it may be called without abusing the term, had a de- cidedly soporific effect ; it induced gentlemen who had nothing else to do, to make up in the House any deficiency in their slumbers, caused by late hours in the preparation of public business. Of course Mr. Barclay is a democrat. Mr. BARRON, (Of Perry,) Has been a member several years. He is a planter, of sound intelligence, and quite .diligent in the discharge of his public duties. His remarks in the House seldom extend beyond a suggestion or two, pertinent to the subject. He never allows himself to be surprised by a question, but has his mind entirely satisfied in regard to it, before he acts. His votes, as well as his professions, constitute him a true whig. From his appearance, we should take him to be fifty years of age. 18 MR. BISHOP. Mr. BISHOP, (Of Talladega,) Is not without peculiar manifestations of charac- ter ; and he was strongly attached to relief measures, such as the stay of executions, for one year, on de- fendant's securing the debt. He was also in favor of drawing specie from the banks, in cases where it was demanded by plaintiffs in execution, and intro- duced a bill to that effect, which met a cruel fate. One of the singularities of Mr. Bishop, was his regu- lar occupation of the area of the hall, in the interval between taking questions. His practice of crying " yes" or " no" on any motion before it was put, re- minded one of a pitch-pipe to govern music ; and the shake of his head, when any measure w T as not ac- ceptable, was certainly a very good reason why the discussion should be addressed directly to him, es- pecially if there had been any cause to apprehend, (of which we saw no sign,) that his vote would con- trol the action of gentlemen below him in the alpha- betical list of the clerk. Few men in the House stood up to the democratic party, right or wrong, with more pertinacity than Mr. Bishop, or seemed to rejoice as much in the triumph of party force, how- ever questionably exerted. He is a planter, a little beyond the prime of life. MR. BOTHWELL. — MR. BRIDGES. 19 Mr. BOTHWELL, (of St. Clair,) Is a physician, and his conduct in the House was quiet and exemplary. He was several weeks con- fined to his room by indisposition, but was habitual- ly in his place when able to attend the sittings of the House. We do not recollect of his tresspassing on the attention of his fellow members, by any re- marks beyond the offering of petitions and bills, during the session. So far, however, from this be- ing an evidence of his want of capacity, it increased the respect of all who had the pleasure of knowing his general intelligence. The section of country from which Mr. Bothwell hails, vouches for his democracy. Mr. BRIDGES, (of Wilcox,) If not the leader of the democratic party in the House, inclined very much to the opinion that it was his right to be such. As chairman of the committee of ways and means, he was of course identified with the revenue bill, which it was made his duty to re- port. Mr. Bridges made himself prominent on more than one occasion in the House. He preferred a very grave complaint against Mr. Rice, of Morgan, who was in the Speaker's chair, for not recognizing his, (Mr. B's) attempt to get the floor, when the hour 20 MR. BRIDGES. of 5 o'clock ended the sitting of the House, under a standing rule. Something like a note or resolu- tion was read the next day, but as no action was desired on it, it returned to his pocket. Mr. Bridges insisted that his rights should not be trampled upon by the occupant of the chair, whoever he might be ; and threw out a pretty strong intimation that his grievances should be redressed elsewhere, than in the House. But the whole matter passed off with- out disturbing the public deliberations long, and we believe Mr. B. was satisfied thereafter, in some way, for he seemed to be on good terms with the presid- ing officer, even when Mr. Rice filled the chair. While discussing the bill to put one of the branch banks in liquidation, Mr. Bridges made a very ill- natured and unprovoked assault on that portion of the citizens of Alabama, who had been unfortunate in their pecuniary affairs. He charged them with having no interest in the government, because they contributed nothing to its support. Surely such an outrage on the feelings of thousands in every respect as virtuous and estimable as Mr. Bridges, in all the relations of life, did not spring from the mere cir- cumstance that he was, himself, beyond the reach of misfortune, and that his wealth gave him the privi- lege of insulting others with impunity ! In politics, M. B. has done service on both sides. Some years ago he was spoken of for Congress as an avowed advocate of a National Bank. Now, he can hardly find language strong enough to express his hostility to such an institution. He appears to be tinctured with ambition ; and it is said that the elevation of MR. CAFFEY. 21 another to the Speaker's chair, was a sad blow to his happiness. At all events, he was hard to please on the floor, and frequently inflicted on the House some of the most scattering- and tiresome harangues made during the session, though his abilities are quite respectable. He claimed a degree of person- al importance which the House saw no good reason for according to him ; hence his general captious- ness and want of influence. Certain it is, that Mr. Bridges did not gain as many laurels as other gen- tlemen did, who exhibited far less ostentation in their pursuit. To an extensive fortune as a planter, Mr. B. adds the emoluments of the law as a profes- sion. His personal appearance is in his favor, and from his gray head, he would be taken for sixty years of age ; but of this he is short ten or fifteen years. Mr. CAFFEY, (Of Montgomery,) Is somewhat advanced in life; a remarkably at- tentive member on the sittings of the House, and withal a man, utterly unpretending, of sound judg- ment and of much firmness in his course. He is a democrat, though from a decided whig county. We have no recollection of hearing him address the House during the session ; but this constituted him not the less worthy of respect, and we take great 3 22 31 R . C A I N . pleasure in saying that in several of his votes, on im- portant questions, he differed from a majority of his political friends. This was the first session, we be- lieve, that Mr. Caffey has taken a seat in the legisla- ture. There was nothing very prominent in his character, only that he was a good specimen of a quiet planter. Mr. CAIN, (Of Walker,) Belongs to that unassuming order of gentlemen — content to introduce their local business, and vote silently on questions as they arise — so that we have few materials with which to draw a picture. Men like him are to be seen by hundreds, at most public places in our State, none of whom would be suspect- ed of peculiar fitness to legislate on questions of political economy, or indeed on any subject beyond the extension of the time for a tax collector to make his returns, or the exemption of certain persons from patrol duty. We have reason to think Mr. Cain has no ambition to figure in public life, and that he merely accepts the honor which his constituents have to bestow on some person among them, because he can probably render them as much service, as he is no doubt as trust-worthy, as any they could select. He is a whig in politics and a planter by occupation. His seat was rarely vacant dming the business hours of the House. MR. CALHOUN. 23 Mr. CALHOUN, (Of Dallas,) Is a character difficult to resolve. His every move- ment speaks mystery, and there is no basis in his principles or actions, politically, on which you may reasonably calculate the next step. He possesses talent and shrewdness of no ordinary kind ; but as to system or any fixed line of policy, he makes him- self a stranger. There is a sleepless ingenuity per- vading his motions, that renders him an object of terror in all matters, great or small, in which any interest is manifested by the House. Look in any part of the hall five minutes together, and there will Mr. Calhoun be seen, watching every indication so as to make a descent on some body, or what is often the case and more to be feared, on some local measure, involving no principle, and doing neither good nor harm, but on which is suspended the political breath of some unobtrusive member. When the question is about to be taken, Mr. Cal- houn's well known voice is heard in some quarter of the hall, often at the edge of the area, in which he is fond of exercising and keeping the run of business, assigning some objection, or some difficulty, which requires the supervision of a committee. To con- tend with him is but increasing the danger. He has a thousand expedients to kill or delay a proposition, or to embarrass any member against whom he takes a fancy. If he admits of any definition at all, Mr. Calhoun may be styled a conservative, except on the subject of fees and salaries to public officers. 24 MR. CALHOUN. There he is extreme ; he appears to be willing that men should serve the State for nothing and find themselves. This principle of economy was well illustrated in his motion to purchase chairs for the executive office, that should not cost exceeding one dollar each ! In other respects, Mr. Calhoun was not less re- markable. There was so much apparent design in all his little evolutions, even of a social and careless nature, with members in the hall, that it was hazard- ous to open too freely in his presence, lest the sug- gestion would be turned to their disadvantage. Still, we have no right to say, nor|do we believe, that there was any thing sinister or disingenuous in Mr. Calhoun ; for really he seemed to labor diligent- ly for the public good, and was often of great service in pointing out evils which bid fair to escape the sagacity of others. But with all his fine common sense, and thorough conviction that he had no supe- rior on the floor, he suffered his anxiety to mould every thing in his own way, to become an impedi- ment to the business of the House. There were certain professions, particularly of law and medicine, to which he was extremely hostile. No indignity was too pointed for these pursuits, though he was reminded that he had been, and still had the privi- lege of, a practicing lawyer himself. For a man of his reputation and talents, Mr. Cal- houn is deficient in dignity of address. His name naturally associates something that is elevated and commanding, which is looked for in vain upon his exterior. He reminds the spectator of a candidate MR. CAMPBELL. 25 before his people, drilling doubtful voters the morn- ing of an election, when the least suspicion of gen- tility would subject him to defeat. There are very few men but what have defects ; and if Mr. Calhoun is no exception, we ask that our frankness in point- ing them out may not be construed into any preju- dice on our part against him. We have none what- ever, and we presume that a majority of his fellow members will sanction the fidelity of the sketch here given. Mr. Calhoun was by no means a favorite in the House, and he will long be remembered, not only for his abilities, but for the disposition he con- stantly manifested to control or thwart the business of others. All this was no doubt owing to an honest zeal for the public interests, which was occasionally misunderstood. Mr. Calhoun is the nephew of the distinguished Carolina senator, and has a responsibil- ity of character to sustain on account of that relation, which seems to give him very little concern. He is an independent planter, and has the looks of a man thirty-eight or forty years of age. Mr. CAMPBELL, (of Mobile,) Is generally considered a man of the clearest and most vigorous intellect in the House of Representa- tives. He was a member six years ago, and had great influence in maturing the relief law, at the 3* 26 MR. CAMPBELL. called session of 1837. Indeed, the adoption of that measure is said to have been owing, almost entirely, to his arguments for its necessity. As he rarely deals in generalities, when he has a point to accomplish, he on that occasion took up the productions of the state, compared with the indebtedness of the peo- ple ; and proved beyond any reasonable doubt, that an extension of bank debts, and a fresh loan of five millions for circulation, would enable the industry of the people to cancel all their embarrassments by the time the loans became due. This was a mode of stating the question, which no experience, at that time, could gainsay, and the proposition of relief, in its broadest form, ripened into a statute. Whatever miscalculation or error may have existed as to the principle, no one has ever suspected the perfect sin- cerity of Mr. Campbell in the part he acted. He was governed by a spirit desiring only the public good, and perhaps he is as ready now to admit that the plan was unsuited to the emergency, as its strong- est opponent at the called session. In those days there prevailed a public delirium on monetary affairs. All heads had run wild with adventure, and all minds were intent upon the remedy of expansion. What the result has been, every man's experience is the most conclusive testimony. We have adverted to this chapter in the public life of Mr. Campbell, not for the purpose of judg- ment, but merely in illustration of that peculiar and convincing power of argument with which he is em- inently gifted. At the late session, Mr. Campbell, as chairman of the bank committee, was looked to MR. CAMPBELL. 27 for that platform in relation to the currency, and the engagements of the State, which his superior infor- mation on that subject, and his known habits of labor, so well qualified him to present. A mass of documents, unprecedented for variety and extent in the legislature, which required close investigation and much time to reduce into system, was referred to the committee. On all these, Mr. Campbell bestowed the most searching examination, and made a report not less able than it was comprehensive and satis- factory. The entire action of the House was direct- ed, in the main, though not in exact detail, by the suggestions of that paper, and the bills which ac- companied it. The foundation having been thus laid, a superstructure was afterwards raised, not in every respect suitable to Mr. Campbell's taste, though he submitted, after a hard and Aaliant con- test, with manly deference to overpowering num- bers. Our position as reporter in the House, enabled us to record much of the transactions of that body, and also to make our readers acquainted with its busi- ness men. Among these Mr. Campbell stood fore- most. On some occasions his masterly powers were exhibited with a cogency of argument, which if it did not command assent, was at least unanswered. His strong efforts, and he seldom makes any other, were listened to with a depth of attention which was accorded to very few speakers in the House. To the character of a statesman and political finan- cier, Mr. Campbell unites the brightest honors of 28 MR. CAMPBELL. the law. In the Supreme Court, if he is not with- out a rival, he is at least without a superior. For a man of his talents, reputation, and general advantages, Mr. Campbell is singularly inattentive to his personal appearance, and to those common social blandishments which are valued not the less in public than in private life. He is cold, taciturn, reserved ; not the least symptom in his manners that he wants society — absorbed in thought, with heavy brow, yet unassuming expression of countenance. At times he is pleasant, and always respectful when it becomes necessary for him to converse. He is said by some of his political opponents to be an art- ful man, in his own way ; that he can drill his party and arrange the order of action with much skill. We have no authority to deny this charge, other than to state, if it be true, the usual mode of judging men, fails in relation to Mr. Campbell. There is a total absence of all art in his looks and movements — though some writer has said that it is the consum- mate office of art to conceal art, and thereby make it the more successful. He seems to hold all ele- gance and imagination in utter contempt, as unwor- thy a practical man. As a member of the demo- cratic party, he stands alone in Alabama, for great- ness of conception, in all that relates to our political system. We do not say that he has never fallen into errors of opinion ; we cannot ascribe to him infallibility ; but as an honest man, in the most ex- tensive signification of the term, Mr. Campbell en- joys universal respect and confidence. He is a na- MR. CLAY. 29 tive of Georgia, and son of the late Col. Duncan G. Campbell, a distinguished citizen of that State. Mr. J. A. Campbell is, probably, thirty-eight years of age. Mr. CLAY, (of Madison,) Is the most youthful member of the House, and com- bines as much poetic chivalry in his nature as can be used to advantage. Early in the session he introduc- ed his preamble and resolutions for remitting the fine imposed by Judge Hall on Gen. Jackson, and sup- ported them by a handsome and well received speech. He occasionally qddressed the House on other subjects, was at times eloquent, and always interesting. There was a gaudiness and originality in his style, amounting almost to romantic elabora- tion. He possessed humor, tact and self-command — was felicitous at repartee, and inexorable in his party feelings. His deportment was affable, and in all re- spects that of the high toned gentleman. Being his first session in the Capitol, and deferring, as became his modesty, to his seniors in legislation, Mr. Clay exhibited no impatience to become a talking, or in other words, troublesome member ; relying no doubt upon the safety and success to be gained from expe- rience. His constitution is delicate, and will always, we apprehend, forbid the exercise of as much energy 30 MR. COCHRAN. and labor at the bar, or in public life, as constituted a leading trait in the character of his father, Gov. Clav. Mr. COCHRAN, (of Benton,) Is not a very choice subject for description. He has no strong points of character to arrest the attention of any man ; not that he is deficient in ability, or in the graces of speech. In both respects, he has no- thing to complain, nor his friends any cause to blush. The defect we shall notice in Mr. Cochran, will appear to many no bleinjsh at all, but, on the con- trary, an absolute recommendation. He is too smooth and fluent of speech. His language is in good taste — his voice pleasant, and his arguments respectable ; but still there is a tameness and suc- cession of thoughts so perfectly off-hand, that they seem to have been digested by the lips. Yet this readiness was only apparent ; for we remember that on one occasion he took the floor, and launched out into a general defence of the 16th section law, on a motion to lay on the table, and was several times called to order by the Speaker, when he promised to keep within the rule. No sooner did he start again, than he marched up to the same point ; and this he did several times, after being called to order by the chair. Finally, he took his seat abruptly, MR. COOPER. 31 and in a few clays afterwards, when the whole ques- tion was open, he traveled over the same ground, made the same points, and concluded what he had evidently prepared for the former occasion. We mention this circumstance to exonerate Mr. Cochran from the suspicion conveyed by the charge of off- handedness, that he does not consider and arrange his subjects previous to entertaining the House with them. Mr. Cochran has many personal friends be- sides his democratic brethren. He is a lawyer of good practice, in the prime of life, and of considera- ble popularity. Mr. COOPER, (of Cherokee,) Is such a case for a limner, that very little skill is required to give his outlines. Of sanguine tempera- ment, and much native talent, he pursues his course with a strong hand, and never relinquishes his object until he gains it, or is conquered by a force which it would be madness to resist. In his political skir- mishes in the House, he is game to the core ; and whoever encounters him on subjects that relate to the humbler classes, works hard for victory, or is smothered in the impetuous appeals of the member from Cherokee, to the sympathies of the House, in behalf of the objects for whose benefit he seeks pro- 32 MR. COOPER. vision at their hands. There is no counterfeit good- ness of heart in Mr. Cooper. He has, himself, known adversity, and he wields a man's arm for those among whom his lot is cast. Towards them he feels as a neighbor ; and such was the painful anxiety and disappointment he suffered when his resolutions, procuring the two per cent, fund to be converted into Alabama money at the Land Offices in this State, to enable settlers on the public lands to enter their homes in that currency, had been defeated by an unpopular substitute, that he obtained a re-con- sideration of the vote, got rid of the substitute, and by a warm and pathetic description of the distress that would follow to the poor settlers if they lost their homes, had his resolutions adopted, and they are now a law of the land. This was not the only instance in which he battled for the poor. He was uniformly on their side — a thing so common by pro- fession among members, that we should not have no- ticed Mr. Cooper's efforts for them, did we not have the most perfect confidence -in his sincerity. The fault of Mr. Cooper was his rather frequent and long-winded harangues, sometimes about every thing in general, and at other times, nothing in par- ticular. His reading was more liberal than his scholarship w r as refined ; and he seemed to care very little for his diction, so it conveyed his thoughts. The figure of Mr. Cooper is that of a well-fed alder- man, or laughing philosopher. He is not actually as broad as he is long, but the difference only equal to the late high exchanges on the North — fifty per MR. CROWDE R. — M R. CUNNINGHAM. 33 cent. Mr. Cooper is a member of the Bar of excel- lent standing and business. His age, perhaps, is thirty-five. Mr. CROWDER, (Of Pike,) Is a plain member, and never cost the public treasu- ry ten minutes expense during the session. He pre- sented what petitions were confided to his care, and introduced a bill or two in relation to his county. — His appearance indicated good sense, unaided or un- injured by the trash of books. In his votes he prov- ed his attachment to the whig party, on whose prin- ciples he was elected to a seat on the floor. Of course, we have no facts with which to extend the picture. Mr. CUNNINGHAM, (Of Monroe,) In consequence of the indisposition of his family, ob- tained leave of absence before the most exciting measures were acted upon in the House, and before we could acquire such a knowledge of him as to war- 4 34 MR. DEAR. rant us in presenting his public character. He is a highly intelligent physician; a warm whig, and a gentleman of easy personal address. Mr. DEAR, (Of Wilcox,) Proved himself an industrious member, and on seve- ral occasions submitted his views to the House. His first effort made it necessary to refer to a number of legal authorities in support of a proposition he had introduced in relation to land titles ; and from the facility and closeness with which he argued the ques- tion, he convinced the House that he was no stran- ger to the books of his profession, or the mode of es- tablishing his premises. His delivery was calm and distinct; and the opinion generally prevailed that such was his uniform manner of speaking, until he replied to Mr. Moore, of Madison, on the bill to wind up one of the Branch Banks. He then fell into a most inordinate pulpit tone of voice, and entirely lost command of his forensic style, which is much better adapted to legislative discussion. Our object in glancing at this peculiarity, is to be of service to a gentleman of the excellent qualities of Mr. Dear, both of head and heart, by reminding him of it. His capacity and emulation will supply the defect. As a member of the House, he was much esteemed; and every reason is afforded for the belief that, if MR. DORTCH. 35 Mr. Dear should dedicate his talents to the public service, he would soon become extensively and fa- vorably known to the people of the State. His per- sonal appearance is in his favor, and from it we should infer that he was about thirty years of age. Mr. Dear is a whig. Mr. DORTCH, (Of Sumter,) Is a young member, and much esteemed in the House. His remarks were by no means trouble- some by their frequency ; yet he did, sometimes say a word or two, which were always to the point. His health, part of the time, forbade his attendance in his seat ; but otherwise, he was punctual and atten- tive to his public duties. The young members were particularly attached to Mr. Dortch for his social and generous qualities. Some of the public letter-writ- ers from the capitol, accused Mr. D. with being one of the gallant bloods of the House, who received an enviable share of the smiles of the fair spectators in the gallery. It only remains for us to say that he is a physician, and a democrat. 36 MR. DOUGLASS, Mr. DOUGLASS, (Of Lauderdale,) Has been for many years an occupant of ^, seat on the floor. He has no diffidence in uttering his mind to the House on whatever subject he pleases ; and, although far from commanding attention, he exacts it as a matter of right, and defies the loudest calls for the question to cut off his privilege of speaking as long as it suits his fancy. We have seen the House in a perfect uproar of impatience as Mr. Douglass would rise, and coolly remark to gentlemen that they gain- ed nothing by their efforts to put him down — for talk he would. He never failed to sustain his word in that particular, and not only set forth his opinions at length, but took ample revenge by holding on after he had discharged the last shot in the locker of his argument. Mr. Douglass is a great hand on motions, particularly those of reference, and to a day beyond the session. The previous question is something of a favorite with him. In regard to the communica- tions of the Comptroller of Public Accounts, which made their appearance almost every day, Mr. Doug- lass was the standing organ, which sent them, by mo- tion, to the committee on accounts. Mr. Douglass was a fine specimen of mountain de- mocracy : he showed no quarters to his opponents, whenever the welfare or the principles of his party required aid. Armed with some experience of the rules of the House, he turns it to the best account in his power, for the destruction of his political enemies, who seem to be so undeserving in his sight, that their MR.DUBOSE. 37 very existence annoys him. Yet, with all his preju- dices, Mr. Douglass is a gentleman of upright and cor- dial demeanor, and withal, an intelligent planter. His age must be a little over fifty. Mr. DUBOSE, (Of Clarke,) Was not a talking member. He was generally oc- cupied at his desk in writing, though not at the head of any committee, nor was he forward in the intro- duction of bills, amendments or motions of any kind. From his appearance, and especially from the neat- ness with which he seemed to handle his writing materials, and fold up letters and documents, we took him to be a man of business — perhaps a merchant, clerk, or sheriff, in time past. On this subject, how- ever, we never heard a remark ; nor in fact, (such was the inoffensive and retiring course of Mr. DuB.) did we hear his name mentioned during the session, except when it was called by the clerk in the regu- lar business of the House. No instance occurs to our memory, of his having addressed the House. — Though he afforded no opportunity for others to judge of his talents or gifts of speech, still there was daily evidence, by his votes, that he adhered, with leech-like tenacity to the democratic portion of the House. 4# 38 MR, DUNKLIN. Mr. DUNKLIN, (Of Lowndes,) Took no part in the discussions of the House, and manifested no uneasiness that unless his name was gazetted as a debater, he should lose the favor of his constituents. He was content to vote aye or no on questions as they were announced by the Speak- er, and beyond that exhibition of vocality, we have no knowledge that he adventured in the Heuse, ex- cept on the introduction of a few local bills and peti- tions. So far as we could form an opinion, it was fa- forable to the intelligence and courtesy of Mr. Dunk- lin. It was the first time he had taken a seat in the Legislature, and, as was to be expected of young members and young men, he permitted his seniors to perform the manual and intellectual work of legis- lation, only reserving to himself the right to say whether he approved or disapproved it. There is no cause, within our knowledge, why, after addition- al experience, Mr. D. may not occupy a more active and notable position as a law-maker. Certain it is, that he is quite an agreeable gentleman. MR. DUNN. 39 Mr. DUNN, (Of Mobile,) Justly ranks among the most efficient members of the House. Several weeks of the session had pass- ed before he attempted to discuss any measure with seeming effort ; though none could be at a loss to perceive, from the remarks he occasionally made on the floor, that he had the capacity and the spirit to sustain himself on any question likely to arise. — When the trial of his strength came, Mr. Dunn, at once, established a reputation in debate, which would do honor to any deliberative assembly ; and of which the most ambitious intellect might be proud. What distinguished him most, was the breadth and scope of the general principles he laid down, and the easy deductions he made from them to establish his points. His style of argumentation, as well as delivery, was like a majestic river — swollen by the flood, which swept every thing before it. There was an energy and compactness in his mode of treating a question, and withal, an enunciation so distinct — a manner so bold, that to listen to him was to be convinced and delighted : not, that there was perfect grace or har- mony in the speaker, though he possessed both es- sentials in a very high degree — not, that he dazzled by any burst of eloquence, at once impassioned and resistless ; but the chief merit of Mr. Dunn, in dis- cussion, was a broad and solid ground-work, on which he exhibited the advantages or defects of any mea- sure he took in hand. We have spoken of the unusual amount of talent 40 MR. DUNN. in the House of Representatives, at the late session, and it is only just to say that, of the members to whom special allusion was made in the compliment, Mr. Dunn stood in the front rank. His oratory was destitute of all cant, which too often disfigures pub- lic men. There was no evasion or sophistry in his efforts : he grappled the question with a manly bold- ness, and never abandoned it, until he had left his adversary nothing on which to build even a plausible argument. Aside from his great intellectual power, Mr. Dunn excelled in the requisites of a good de- claimer. His action was expressive — his voice full and penetrating — his language copious and select. Without underrating the merits of any gentleman on the floor, we feel no hesitancy in saying, that Mr. D. united in himself very high qualities of a success- ful public speaker. This was the first session of his membership of the Legislature, and he took elevated ground. His very great success at the bar, had given him a reputation which nothing but superior abili- ties could have sustained in the councils of the State. All his efforts counted to his advantage. In the Su- preme Court, he is regarded as a sound lawyer — one to whose opinions very great deference is paid. In politics, Mr. Dunn is a staunch whig ; and as to his age, in relation to which some curiosity may be felt, we have no right to express an opinion, as he is a single gentleman. His person is tall, and as for the length of his arms, those levers of eloquence, Mr. Clay or Mr. Preston cannot boast of superior gifts in that particular. MR. EARLE. — MR. ENGLISH. 41 Mr. EARLE, (Of Jefferson,) Had previously served in the House, and was re- garded as a very intelligent member. What we gathered from occasional remarks on the floor, when Mr. Earle thought proper to occupy it, was decided- ly in his favor. His trespasses on the attention of the House never extended beyond giving his rea- sons briefly, and such suggestions as would facili- tate the business he had introduced. There was a smoothness in his language and delivery, which, join- ed with his fine general information, qualified him for a higher position in debate than he ever sought. He was diligent in his attendance in the House, and usually preferred sitting near the reporter's table, from which he would retire to his proper seat to give his votes, under a standing rule. Mr. Earle is a whig, but was elected by a democratic constituency, on account of the superior confidence they had in him as a man. He is a physician, and, apparently, about forty-three years of age. Mr. ENGLISH, (Of Limestone,) Though quite a young man, was a member of the House three years ago. His appearance spoke a good deal for him, probably more than his words. 42 MR. ENGLISH. Among the expanded foreheads and open counten- ances in the House, the eye of the spectator would rest on Mr. English for his bounties in this respect. No very severe judgment should be pronounced on this gentleman for not exhibiting abilities equal to the prepossessions of the beholder, as he has not yet overcome the natural diffidence of youth, or trained himself to those modes of thought and of action which are necessary to success in public bodies. Besides, his democracy is rather too hide-bound to captivate minds of a more liberal character. If it be a peculiar merit to glory in circumstances because they exist, regardless of the why or the wherefore, then does Mr. English maintain a lofty position in all that relates to the mountain politics of Alabama. But we are not disposed to color the portrait to the life, as it would be as flush, politically, as Mr. English is cordial and engaging in all his social relations. As a debater, Mr. English, though not wholly without aspirations and courage, did not secure a place among the champions of the House. He ven- tured at times to submit specimens of humor ; but as they were not fully appreciated, he turned his stores on Mr. Garland, of Franklin, in a passage at arms they had in some discussion, and gave him the entire benefit of his propensity. Mr. English is a lawyer by profession, and a gentleman of fine per- sonal character. MR. ERWIN, OF MOBILE. 43 Mr. ERWIN, (Of Mobile,) Has acquired a prominent rank in the legislature, as well on account of his long experience in the House, as the solid order of talents he possesses. Very few members are more respected for integrity and sound judgment; none we are sure are entitled to a place before him in this point of view. He has the useful and, to some extent, rare faculty of stripping a ques- tion of false issues and deceptive colors. After other gentlemen have exhausted their parliamentary re- sources in a discussion, Mr. Erwin is apt to spring a new reason for or against the measure, which is so just that the wonder is why it escaped the attention of others. His fine common sense is often decisive of a proposition ; and to Mr. Erwin belongs the pre-eminence, when his efforts partake of deep earnestness, of controlling the action of members from the faith reposed in his opinions and candor as a man. After the presentation of these traits of Mr. Erwin's character, little remains to be said, which would not naturally occur to the reader. He is a man of be- nevolent feelings — espouses with a pure and honest sympathy the side of the unfortunate, where he is satisfied they are guiltless ; and he is not ashamed, as public men often are, to exhibit the woes of the broken hearted, and to extend relief within the competence of the legislature. As to mere oratory, so far as it depends on elocu- tion and gesture, Mr. Erwin seems to have given 14 MR. FINLE Y. himself to a different line. His voice is of moderate power, and lacks pure vocality, as if the olfactory organs had been too well supplied with snuff. But for the sterling value of his sentiments and charac- ter, and with no claim to public favor, except the brilliancy of declamation, Mr. Erwin would not have occupied the enviable ground we have sketched. He has been so long before the public eye, and his political opinions so openly avowed and bravely maintained, that it is almost needless to designate him as a whig. Mr. Erwin is a lawyer in fine prac- tice, and is perhaps forty years of age. Mr. FINLEY, (Of Jackson,) Is a merchant, and a man of excellent sense. Occa- sionally he offered important amendments to bills, and supported them with brief and intelligent sug- gestions. Upon an average, he stood very fair with his fellow members of both parties. It would be rather daring on our part to presume that any man, woman or child who ever read an Alabama newspa- per, would not at once settle the politics of Mr. Fin- ley, when it has been declared to the world, in every form of publicity, that the county he represents, gave, in the presidential election, of 1840, only 2,140 votes for Mr. Van Buren, and the unexampled support of fifty-seven votes to Gen. Harrison ! The MR. FLETCHER. 45 county of Jackson contained the great democratic avalanche that has rolled over and crushed the polit- ical existence of South Alabama, as threatened by a distinguished gentleman from Lawrence, at the session of 1840-41. Mr. FLETCHER, (Of Marshall,) Had a wild look in the House, as if he constantly expected some question would be put on him before he understood it, or could make up his mind to vote. He sat in a remote corner of the hall, as if to hide his perplexities ; and was never heard, except when the stentorian lungs of the clerk sounded his name from the roll, when he responded as became a courteous member who desired to sustain the Speaker, not only on points of order, but in his very votes ! Of the five hundred times, more or less, that the yeas and nays were recorded during the session, it is quite probable that Mr. Fletcher's votes correspond- ed four hundred and ninety-nine times with those of the Speaker. We merely mention this coincidence not to disparage in the least, the member from Mar- shall, but to show the affinity between politicians in State matters. As Mr. Fletcher neither seeks nor expects notoriety, but is in every respect a plain, unpretending gentleman, we shall omit his personal appearance as a subject, however curious, which 5 46 MR. FOWLE R. could throw no new light on the sciences to which Lavater and Spurzheim dedicated their genius. But there was a most praise-worthy trait in Mr. Fletcher, which it would be unjust to him to with- hold. He was always in his seat, day or night, with scarcely a moment's intermission, during the sittings of the House, as if he believed it an indictable offence not to answer to his name when called. There were several gentlemen, both whigs and democrats, who did not, unfortunately, labor under the same impression with respect to themselves and the crim- inal law. Mr. Fletcher is a planter and a democrat. Mr. FOWLER, (Of Blount,) Was one of the half dozen members that we could never distinguish or recollect. The most that we know of him was by his votes, which showed him to be in democratic company. He is said to be a planter. MR. GAMBLE. MR. GARDNER. 47 Mr. GAMBLE, (Of Henry,) Belonged to the number just alluded to, who escaped our knowledge. We came very near finding him out, and would probably have succeeded, had he not left a few weeks before the session closed. Among a hundred men, voting one after another in rapid succession, in every part of the hall, it is diffi- cult to ascertain them individually in that mode. This is the case with silent voters only; business members are soon known to the Reporter. Mr. Gamble is likewise a planter and a democrat. Mr. GARDNER, (Of Pickens,) Was in ill health at the beginning of the session, though he was punctually in his seat, even in weath- er which rendered exposure dangerous to him, until he obtained leave of absence about the last of De- cember, to visit his family. The next intelligence was his death on the 12th of January. His colleague, Mr. Williams, announced the mournful event in the House, on the 16th, and passed a feeling eulogy on the virtues and character of the deceased. After which, the usual testimony of respect was voted, and the House adjourned without doing business that day. 48 MR. GARLAND. Mr. Gardner was an intelligent planter, upright in all his relations, and commanded the esteem of his fellow members, as well as his acquaintances gene- rally. He was a whig, and was in the forty-seventh year of his age, at the time of his death. MR. GARLAND, (Of Franklin,) Had peculiarities which rendered him quite a sub- ject. His great hobby was a stay law, and he did and said all in his power to convince the House of the necessity and justice of that measure, without success. As customary when he took the floor, he leant over, with his elbows resting on his desk, and conversed to the House with all the flippancy and quietness as if he had been in a private circle of friends. At times he would perpetrate a witticism that caused laughter ; and he became so bold that he occasionally shook his quiver and sped an arrow at some gentleman who had crossed his path, though in most cases without game. Mr. Garland had an original and singular turn of mind; — was full of pleasantry; told anecdotes without number, and could pour forth any quantity, as well as all sorts of songs. We are at a loss what else to add to Mr. Garland's portrait, except to place in the back- ground the road to Congress, which he came very near traveling from Tennessee, several years ago; MR. GASQUE. 49 a pill box, to represent his profession as doctor, and a hickory tree, denoting his reverence for the Hermit- age, and his love of democracy. He is of small stature and jolly expression. As to age, he is some- where between thirty and fifty. Mr. GASQUE, (Of Baldwin,) Displayed no qualities which would render his politi- cal likeness interesting to the public. He appeared to be a very neat and fashionable member, whose chief employment was to stand by and look over the shoulders of the Secretary of the Senate, while he read his messages to the House, to see that nothing was omitted which was in the communication. If this habit was of any practical advantage to the business of the House, or any evidence of superior qualifications on the part of the member from Bald- win, we had no means of ascertaining, as the House adjourned sine die without expressing its sense on the subject. No doubt Mr. Gasque was intelligent enough to have made a figure among the law-makers of the State ; but as it was his first session, he de- ferred submitting his proofs. He is a planter and a democrat, scarcely in the prime of life. 50 MR. GRESHAM. Mr. GRESHAM, (Of Tallapoosa,) In the course of the session, was promoted to the bench of the county court, and thereupon vacated his seat in the House. He was a quiet and sensible member ; had a good deal to say on the floor, in so low a voice that none but his closest neighbors could hear him, and from the fragments which occasionally reached the ear of the Reporter, Mr. Gresham must have been a great stickler for the constitution, as he generally spoke with his finger on it, in Aikin's Digest, and pronounced the measure under conside- ration to be at war with the letter, if not the spirit, of that instrument. With general topics, Mr. Gresham had very little to do ; he was content to see that the political compact was not violated, and as for inferior matters they might take their own course. But we saw enough of Mr. Gresham to know that he was a very close observer, and that his mind kept up with the action of the House, so that he was under no necessity of having the question stated by the chair for his particular benefit. His prevailing passion was for the reference of bills of doubtful expediency, to some committee, either standing or select. There was such a lack of animation in Mr. Gresham, which, added to his inclining his head to one side in debate, gave a person the idea that he was practising in undertones of voice, preparatory to his bursting out in full on any question. He was highly respected, even by his political opponents, the democrats, who assisted in electing him Judge over his opponent, MR. GRIFFIN. 51 who belonged to their own party. He is altogether a self-made lawyer, and self-educated, though he is young enough to increase his efficiency a good deal. Mr. GRIFFIN, (Of Marshall,) Though not calculated by his figure or countenance to impress others with the idea that he had any am- bition beyond his per diem, was nevertheless a mem- ber of most vaulting aspirations. The end and scope of his legislative efforts appeared to be, to lay every bill or resolution on the table, unless it was in exact conformity with his preconceived opinions. His hostile attacks assumed no other form than to cut a measure down by motion to lay on the table, thus precluding all discussion of its merits ; and that pos- terity might entertain no doubt on which side he battled, he made it a rule to call the yeas and nays. We have seen leading business members, after they had introduced some proposition of great public in- terest, and which they were prepared to discuss, find themselves nailed to the wall by Mr. Griffin's spike and sledge-hammer. Many an austere look has been provoked in the House, by the member from Mar- shall, on account of his favorite process of strangula- tion. And we sometimes fancied that if the intel- lectual stature of the representative, had been as 52 MR. HARRIS. brawny as his person, he would have been recog- nized as a fit subject for parliamentary discipline, while rioting in the excess of his table vocation. Far be it from us to conceal the fact that Mr. Griffin was among the first in the House, generally, and the last to leave it. He evinced every qualifi- cation to serve his constituents in the way they would probably have served themselves, had they been assembled in council; and what more could be required of him? Surely the law of political gravitation, that the agent can not be superior to his principal, is as binding in Marshall county as in any other part of the world. Mr. Griffin is a cultivator of the soil, and also of democracy. Mr. HARRIS, (Of Russell,) Is a plain up and down member, inclined to be talk- ative every where except on the floor. The art of legislation is not that in which he excels, though no marked deficiency can be laid to his charge, con- sidering that he prefers acting out his principles, instead of blowing them. Mr. Harris always had willing listeners in or out of the House, whenever it was his pleasure to talk. There was a vein of original humor, so perfectly artless, and so adapted to the occasion, running through his remarks, that he was at all times a welcome associate. His peculiar MR. HARRISON. 53 forte as a legislator was to guard and protect, by adequate relief, the rights of women, especially those who had idle or improvident husbands, so that they might enjoy separate property. In all cases of this description, Mr. Harris was found, like a gallant knight, sustaining the weaker party. Of men as they are, not as represented in books, he had an ex- tensive and accurate knowledge. It required a very skilful hand to throw dust in his eyes on any ques- tion. Mr. Harris is a planter and a whig, probably forty-five years of age. Mr. HARRISON, (Of Lowndes,) Afforded the House no opportunity to judge of his talents. He confined himself entirely to his local business, and merely voted on other subjects, with- out consuming time, which he, no doubt, believed could be more usefully employed otherwise. This was his first session, and he maintained that silence which is better appreciated, generally, than too fre- quent wrangling, merely to obtain the reputation of a speaker. Mr. H. is a planter, and a democrat, just verging into the meridian of life. 54 MR. HENDERSON. MR. HENDRIX. Mr. HENDERSON, (Of Butler,) Did as little to protract the session as any member in the House. From the fact that he had been Judge of the County Court, as well as from his very calm and reflecting appearance, there is no doubt he could have entertained members, had his taste led him in- to discussion. Mr. H. belongs to that useful class of our fellow-citizens, who till the soil, and add to the productive energies of the country. In politics, he is a democrat, though from a whig county. Mr. HENDRIX, (Of Cherokee,) Occasionally addressed the House, and was heard with attention, as he usually confined himself to the point, and took his seat when he had made it intelli- gible. At one time, however, when the " Cut-off" was the bone of contention between his county and Benton, Mr. H. became a little tedious, and proved rather an infliction, than a solace, to his brother mem- bers. He possessed an open and sprightly look, a clear voice, and seemed to keep the business of the House within the grasp of his attention. In politics, he is a thorough democrat ; he is also a planter, of middle age. MR. HENLEY. 55 Mr. HENLEY, (Of Marengo,) Came into the House with a reputation for abilities, which required very able efforts, on his part, to sus- tain. He was not unfrequently on the floor, and sometimes betrayed no impatience to relinquish it. This gentleman has an imperfect delivery, which renders his words so indistinct, that his hearers can- not, at all times, enter fully into his meaning. In the easy conversational tones of voice, or in the ex- plosion of the vocal elements, after fresh inspiration, there is a richness and melody, which is lost at the very next stride. This defect appears to be organic ; and certainly, if it be not so, Mr. Henley has been very indifferent to the benefits of a pure articulation, not to have resorted to some system by which the fault could have been subdued, if not wholly re- lieved. We have referred to this peculiarity of voice, not to remind Mr. Henley that it exists, nor to make it known beyond the limits of his personal acquaint- ance ; but to explain why Mr. H. did not command that position in the House, as a debater, to which his talents gave him an acknowledged claim. All who have observed the system, energy and skill which he displays at the bar, and know his great success in that field, notwithstanding the defect of speech to which we have alluded, still entertain the conviction that a few years more in public life will gain that dis- tinguished level for his abilities, as a declaimer, which he already occupies in other respects. Mr. 56 MR. HILL. MR. HODGES. H. is much esteemed for his manly qualities, and is a firm whig, not exceeding perhaps thirty-two years of age. Mr. HILL, (Of Bibb,) Maintained perfect silence, except as a voter, in the House, during the session. Imbued with strong par- ty feelings, and avoiding the perils of originating measures, he was content to surrender to his demo- cratic obligations all the powers of his mind, more or less, and to follow where others dared to lead. He was punctually in his seat, and appeared to keep his eye on what was passing around him. Such local business as he was charged with, he brought for- ward, and then ensconced himself behind a severe gravity, which repelled all liberties of consultation. Mr. H. is a planter, and no doubt a very estimable citizen. Mr. HODGES, (Of Pike,) Appears on the roll, and promptly answered to his name when called by the clerk ; but as to the per- MR. HUBBARD 57 sonal identity of the gentleman, we never became satisfied, not having seen him, at any time, on his legs pending a discussion, not heard any remark which, from the recognition of the Speaker, we could trace to the member from Pike. We understand he is a planter, and a democrat. Mr. HUBBARD, (Of Lawrence,) Assumed so many positions, and gave evidence ol such an original cast of mind, that we are somewhat at a loss respecting the garb or attitude to select* that will show off his political character nearest the living man. In the absence of any conclusive proof, we shall take it for granted that he is an artless statesman, more devoted to the public weal than his own ; the uncompromising enemy of a tax on white persons ; the advocate of universal education, espe- cially if it can be confined to the poor, and the cost defrayed by levies on property ; the defender of low salaries to public officers, so as to prevent the evil consequences of rich diet, of warm houses, and too many servants ; and last, though not the most infe- rior of his plans, the expenses of the State govern- ment, shall be paid by property holders, while its benefits are divided equally among all who are not blessed with the privilege of shaking hands with the tax-collector. If Mr. Hubbard has any other code, 6 58 MR. HUBBARD. he made very indistinct allusion to it in the House last winter. To delineate Mr. Hubbard, with accuracy, is a dif- ficult task. He has intellect and experience enough to make a good subject for the political artist ; but when the outlines are drawn, and the features must be worked in, with the proper light and shade to give them animation and relief, there is a mass of expression so admirably zigzag — so like cross-eyes, which look one way and see another, that we are almost tempted to throw down our pencil in despair. In decyphering character, where it is ambiguous, our rule is, to connect the acts, policy and general bearing of a man, softened by individual peculiari- ties, until we can perceive, in our mind's eye, a re- semblance of the original. Then, while the image is fresh, we spread on fast colors, and the drapery. But the more we study Mr. Hubbard, the further he vanishes ; sometimes, we think we have him as na- tural as life, and when we take our gaze off to work on the canvass, he dissolves into atmosphere, so that we can never mould him into mortal shape. In fact, the only impressions, too strong to be lost, we have at present, in regard to Mr. Hubbard, are associated with his voice and manner ; for his measures, except the white basis, were so peculiarly the offspring of his own pathless vagaries, that they are as hard to identify as his general system of legislation. The mode of stating a question, by Mr. Hubbard, produced neither obscurity nor light, in the mind of the hearer. It sometimes partook of a wintry day, overcast with clouds, with an occasional gleam of the NR. HUBBARD. 59 sun ; anon, the clatter of an infuriated dame, reach- ing the very octave of her shrill voice, was perfect deliberation and music, compared to the oratory of Mr. Hubbard. He would then pitch forward, bent on some idea or illustration with which to stagger his adversary, or build a fabric of political economy, so full of acute angles and winding passages, that it would be nearly as inviting a task to make a diagram of the inquisition, as to reduce Mr. Hubbard's theo- ries to a practical system. Still, there was the im- press of a far-reaching intellect in much that he said; but he had the faculty of presenting his arguments in such rapid succession, and with such terrible ar- dor, that before the mind of the hearer could seize a position, the speaker had left him in the woods, with no guide but a few dim blazes chipped with the hatchet of " Pushmataha." We have completed the sketch of Mr. Hubbard, as best we could. Should it appear indefinite, we have only to say in that respect, it is an exact copy of the original. Closing with a historical tint, we may add, that Mr. H. was a good soldier under Gen. Jackson, and had the felicity of being wounded, like a brave man, at the battle of New-Orleans, in 1815, and subsequently, of representing Alabama in the Congress of the United States. The military laurels of Mr. Hubbard, are of twenty-eight years' growth ; and supposing him of lawful age when he plucked them, he is now close on fifty, a circumstance which did not prevent him from voting for the bill to reduce the fees on marriage license, and from manifesting peculiar joy at its passage. Mr. Hubbard unites the three-fold character of lawyer, planter, and democrat. 60 MR. JACKSON. Mr. JACKSON, (Of Barbour,) Stands as little chance to be forgotten by his fellow- members, as any gentleman who had the honor of a seat in the House. His temperament was no less sanguine, than he was bold and direct in all his move- ments. He was a perfect counting-house and poli- tical register, with dates and figures at his tongue's end ; could tell the amount of every dividend in the late Bank of the United States ; who were the stock- holders; what years the officers changed; what transactions Government had with the Bank ; the scale of exchanges ; when they rose and fell, and how produced. All the minutia of passing accounts, &c. through the Treasury Department, as connected with the claims of Alabama, for indemnity in the Creek war of 1836-37, he related with the ease of the al- phabet. He had served in the office of one of the Auditors, many years ago, and had resided in or near Washington since the removal of the seat of govern- ment there, until he settled in this State, within the last few years. His memory is well stored with reminiscences of public men and events, which ren- ders him very interesting on such topics. For gene- ral intelligence, and accurate knowledge, in all that relates to commerce, to the public finances, and to the different systems of national policy, Mr. Jackson had no superior on the floor. With all these advan- tages, it would naturally be expected that he would prove a highly useful and instructive member — one, on account of his business qualifications and experi- MR. JACKSON. 61 ence, to whom the House would look for aid on mo- netary questions at least. But, the vast stores we have described, were, in a measure, useless to the representative from Barbour, as well as to the action of the House, on account of the unusual violence which he exhibited on all sub- jects, and towards all persons that fell in his way. — From the first week of the session, when he impeach- ed Judge Booth, against whom he probably had good cause of objection, he ^appeared to exercise no re- straint over his angry feelings ; but on the contrary, to indulge them without stint, whenever he raised his voice on the floor. The speculating debtors of the Banks, and all, indeed, who had borrowed libe- rally from these State institutions, he characterized as " robbers and plunderers." With the reports of the Banks, at different periods, to the latest, he made himself familiar, and always kept on hand, a table, showing the losses on their capital. We recollect an instance of this kind, when the bill to place the Branch Bank at Huntsville in liquidation, was pend- ing. Mr. Jackson had asserted that the Bank had sunk thirty-five per cent, of its capital ; to which a distinguished member from Madison took very grave exception, and inquired of the " gentleman from Barbour," if he had understood his allegation cor- rectly. The floor being yielded, Mr. Jackson took up his figures, and demanded if such and such items were not true ; the reply was in the affirmative. He then proceeded with the rest, challenging contra- diction, until the member claimed the floor, saying, that the charge, startling as it was, had been appa- 6* 62 MR. JONES, OF CONECUH. rently sustained by official documents, under the searching calculation of the gentleman from Barbour. Notwithstanding the great information of Mr. J., and his clear and pleasant delivery, he never trusted himself, in an effort of any length, in discussion, with- out very copious notes. The most perfect uproar and disorder we witnessed during the whole session, was, while Mr. Jackson addressed the House from his " notes." We sympathised with that gentleman, because of the indecorum of members, while we, at the same time, thought his course not wholly free from objection; as the public could have had the benefit of his speech, without taxing the House with it, against its stormy protest. Such, we understand to be the practice in Congress. What it is in Ala- bama, we are under no obligation to intimate. Mr. Jackson has a firm and expressive physiogno- my, freshened by fifty winters, and a strong attach- ment to the whig party. He is a merchant. Mr. JONES, (Of Conecuh,) Signalized his legislative career, by the introduction of an unusual number of bills, to allow married wo- men to acquire and hold property free from the debts or control of their runaway husbands. We have no recollection of his supporting his favorite measures by a speech, or even by explanations. He left them MR. JONES, OF COVINGTON. 63 to stand or fall on their own merits. Some prevail- ed, while others did not ; owing to causes, of which we never sought the particulars. If Mr. Jones per- formed any other exploits worthy of mention, we have only to say, they were not in the presence of the House. His seat was vacant just often enough, to signify that he placed very little confidence in the opinions of another member, whom we have had oc- casion to notice, that absence from the House, when any question was taken, subjected the absentee to penal inflictions. Selecting his own time to enter the hall, Mr. Jones usually marched in, when he condescended to come at all, with a stately tread, just as if he was going to subscribe for chances at a shooting match, which he has the perfect right to do, being both planter and whig, not exceeding thirty- five years of age. Mr. JONES, (Of Covington,) Gained most of his renown, as author of the bill to prevent wolf-scalps being received in payment of taxes in his county. It seems, a law had previously passed, authorizing that currency to be taken for county dues ; but, either from its bulk occupying too much room in the treasury, or its ceasing to pay for court-houses, jails, and bridges, Mr Jones was perhaps, instructed to banish it altogether from ( circulation. For 64 MR. JONES, OF GREENE. this object he introduced the bill, which became a law, and is to be found in the pamphlet acts of 1842 -43, p. 137. By some turn of fortune, he acquired the high-sounding title of Judge, though a glance at his person, or a word from his lips, would satisfy any person that the roll of the legal profession was never honored with his name. Mr. Jones was a friendly and inoffensive gentleman, with ambition enough to find his way to the capitol, certify his attendance and mileage, and settle with the treasurer on " them principles." He enjoys the fruits of the soil, as a planter and a democrat. Mr. JONES, (Of Greene,) Possessed as many qualities to recommend him to public favor as any gentleman in the House. His superior talents were confessed by all, except him- self; for his modesty gave a charm to those accom- plishments of mind and manner, which won the kindest regards, while it added to his influence, and detracted nothing from his political firmness. Mr. Jones was distinguished for solid and penetrating intellect; for a transparency of conception on all subjects that came before his mind ; and withal, a nervous brevity of argument that laid facts bare in the order they related to the question. There was a total absence of all effort at display ; no rant, no MR. JONES, OF GREENE. 65 affected passion, no airy flights. Truth was pursued with steady aim ; all secondary objects gave way, and the result seldom left any thing for doubt or reply. In analysis, he much resembled professed logicians, who lay down their premises, and then, step by step, deduce such conclusions as cannot be gain- sayed. In this respect his abilities were excelled by no member in the House. He did not choose to occupy the floor often, nor at much length ; and by this means he always secured the profound attention of the House. Mr. Jones had the power of moulding a question into a common sense and practical shape, when the rhetoric of others had only confused it — certainly, had shed no light. In regard to address and elocution, there was a perfect consistency in Mr. Jones with his intellectual character. He regarded speech merely as the ve- hicle of thought, not as a play thing, or ornament to be decked out in gay trappings that proved nothing. His language was chaste, and rolled pleasantly from his lips ; but he had no other use for it than to ex- plain his meaning with simplicity and force ; — every word telling the act of the judgment. We do not allege that his reading of fashionable and general literature is restricted ; on the contrary, we have reason to believe he relishes such works in a high degree — but his mental habitudes remind us of the professor of mathematics who, being asked how he enjoyed the beauties of Milton's Paradise Lost, re- plied that the book did not prove any thing, therefore it had no beauties. Mr. Jones is a nephew of the 66 MR. KENDRICK. late Governor Giles, of Virginia, and is worthy his eminent kinsman. It would be unjust, alike to the liberality of the one, and the merit of the other, not to allude, in this connexion, to the splendid compliment paid by Mr. McClung, of Madison, when he said on the floor, in a discussion involving some personal feeling, that he knew the heart of Mr. Jones was a laboratory of all that was honorable and exalted, and that he was in- capable of deliberately wounding an adversary, where no cause existed. In that sentiment we con- cur fully. We have only to add, that Mr. Jones is a lawyer of great reputation and practice, scarcely thirty-five years of age, and a sterling wing. Mr. KENDRICK, (Of Coosa,) Was of huge physical dimensions — tall, square built, and of a strength of arm, from all appearance, that would render his enmity little less to be dreaded than a thunder-bolt. On one occasion lie made a few remarks to the House, which were sensible, and well delivered. We heard of no circumstance showing that Mr. Kendrick availed himself of his superior bodily advantages to remind others of the fact. His attendance in his seat was regular, and his course quiet and respectful. We attach more MR. KENNEDY, OF LAUDERDALE. 67 importance to the latter, because it has often hap- pened, even in deliberative bodies, that large gen- tlemen were overbearing. Mr. Kendrick is a plant- er and a democrat, of middle age. Mr. KENNEDY, (Of Lauderdale,) Is somewhat of a rising character in the House. He has been a member two sessions, and if he continues to improve the balance of his life in the ratio that he has progressed in legislative efficiency, he will, in a reasonable time, be known to the public as a gentle- man of sound abilities. As a speaker, he occasion- ally acquits himself well. His style is not admirable for beauty or strength, nor is it decidedly bad ; it is such as will pass muster, without comment, in a pub- lic assembly. Ardor of temperament, or soaring im- pulse, cannot be laid to his charge. Vigilant in all things relating to his section, he seems to be entirely satisfied if other portions of the State are overlooked in the dispensation of public favors. Mr. Kennedy was of the number who believed that the constitution of Alabama could be altered to advantage, especially in regard to annual sessions, and the present quota of senators and representa- tives. He accordingly introduced resolutions to amend that instrument so as to legalize biennial sessions of the General Assembly, and to reduce the 68 MR. KENNEDY, OF MARION. Senate so as not to exceed twenty-five members, and the House of Representatives not to exceed seventy- five, which passed the House, but were lost in the Senate. Of the propriety of the measure we have nothing to say ; but in point of economy alone, if carried into effect, it would probably have saved $40,000 every second year to the Treasury, besides what would result each session from a decrease of members. Mr. Kennedy was assiduous in the dis- charge of his public duties, and was every inch a mountain democrat, just old enough to believe his party infallible, and plenty young for improvement, both as a lawyer and politician. Mr. KENNEDY, (Of Marion,) It will be seen is just midway the roll. What other distinction we could associate with his name, is be- yond our capacity to imagine. He never addressed the House, nor gave evidence that he intended to make legislation an exclusive pursuit. He voted when called, and betrayed no embarrassment on account of his democracy. Our feelings are too kind towards Mr. Kennedy to insist that he resembles Hortensius or Tully in any respect, unless in one for which he is not to blame — in personal figure. If the lineaments of statuary are to be relied on, however, in regard to these ancients, MR. KIDD. 69 then will Mr. Kennedy be triumphantly relieved from all suspicion even in that behalf. He is a worthy planter, in the noon of life. Mr. KIDD, (Of Shelby,) Was chairman of the military committee, in virtue, we presume, of the commission of brigadier-general which he held from the State. He had not been a member previously, and of course the Speaker of the House had a very high estimate of his intelligence to confide to him thus early, so important a branch of the public service. On a few occasions he ad- dressed the House with considerable effect, and displayed some eloquence. His person is command- ing and his delivery fluent. From the specimens we heard on the floor, we have no doubt Mr. Kidd is destined to become a very efficient speaker. He has energy of feeling, which, joined with other requisites of oratory he possesses, will make him a good debater. His information is extensive, and he takes hold of subjects with a strong grasp, and never dismisses them until he has either fortified his posi- tion, or overthrown that of his adversary. We do not aim to be understood as maintaining that Mr. Kidd ranks among the foremost men of the House for abilities or the graces of speech ; but it is only doing him justice to say, that considering his youth 7 70 MR.LANKFORD. and want of experience in public life, he bids fair to occupy a very respectable rank. He is courteous in his deportment, though always alive to his rights as a gentleman and as the organ of his constituents. Mr. Kidd is a planter and a stern whig, about twen- ty-five years of age. Mr. LANKFORD, (Of KeKalb,) Was distinctly unlike any model of a professed statesman that either the living world, or the printed page ever set before us. There was no member of the House less suspected of a design to raze the in- stitutions of our happy country, by proposing to sub- stitute any other form or modification of government. Throughout the entire session, not a word escaped his lips that could be tortured into hostility to free- dom. He preserved a calm bearing that would have put sedition to shame, even in the days of the Em- mets and the Rowans. A member so perfectly harmless, was calculated to involve his constituents in no difficulty, and to produce no commotion in the House. Nor should we fail to mention that Mr. Lankford not only formed no plot or conspiracy against the State, but that he lives in a region blessed with an atmosphere so pure, and natural scenery so grand, he and his people may ever be relied upon to defend their own Switzerland from domestic or MR. M ARCHJB ANKS. 71 foreign foe. If, from this outline, the reader has not caught a full glimpse of the member from DeKalb, we are willing to share the fault with the subject, and to say that he is a planter and democrat, scarcely in the zenith of life. Mr. MARCHBANKS, (Of Fayette,) Is an old member, and is quick on trigger to vote. When the clerk demands a response, he gets it like a flash of lightning. This fact is the most remarkable that we have to record in the legislative biography of the member from Fayette. He was too good an economist to waste the people's money by prolonging the session even five minutes on his account ; for we are per- suaded that during the last two or three winters, he has not occupied the floor that space of time, in- cluding the presentation of petitions. Of course he is entitled to gratitude for the virtue of silence. What remains to be said of Mr. Marchbanks is, that he belongs to the political majority of the House, for what reason is perhaps known to himself — certainly not to us. He is a grey headed planter, with a young looking, fresh face. 72 MR. MARTIN. Mr. MARTIN, (Of Benton,) Rose gradually to something of rank in the House, He is a bold speaker, resolute in his purposes, and competent to all labors in which he ventures to take part. His onslaught on the political course of the presiding officer made him quite a figure, not only on the floor, but from the galleries which were crowded to see the fight. It was the general opinion that Mr. Martin sustained himself handsomely in this conflict with an able and experienced member, who took ample leisure to reply. On the question of the white basis, the representative from Benton showed his in- dependence of party trammels, by proposing and maintaining his substitute for the adoption of the federal basis in forming Congressional Districts. His sentiment, that the proposition of districting the State in elections for Congress, having regard to the white population only, should never have been agitated south of the Potomac, established his ortho- doxy on the subject. It has gone forth to all points of the compass, and will ever reflect the highest credit on his patriotism and judgment. History will no doubt refer to it, should there unhappily arise, in the course of our national existence, a disturbance which the example of Alabama, it is feared by many, will indirectly promote. Mr. Martin is in every respect calculated to make his way. He understands men — is eloquent and fearless. With these aids, surely one like himself in the bloom of life, has the prospect of a successful public career. He is a lawyer and a democrat. mr.m'clung. 73 MR. McCLUNG, (Of Madison,) Is favorably known to the people of the State. Within the last twenty-four years, during which time he has been a practicing and successful law- yer in Alabama, he has represented his county many sessions of the legislature. He has been elevated to the Speaker's chair, and discharged the duties of that station with signal ability. In 1836, he supported his distinguished relative, Judge White, for the Presidency, in opposition to Mr. Van Buren. The contest of 1840 found him on neutral ground ; he was for neither Gen. Harrison nor his competitor, and alike opposed a National Bank and the Sub- Treasury. The next year he announced himself as a candidate for the office of Governor, even race, against Col. Fitzpatrick, the democratic State con- vention nominee. He was beaten by a majority that perhaps taught him it was better to belong to one of the political parties, with avowed principles, than to stand on solitary ground, fighting for what others could not see or understand, however obvious his policy to himself. So much for the political his- tory of Mr. McClung. As a lawyer, his standing is deservedly high ; he is quick in exposing the weak points of adverse counsel, and in combatting those of more weight. In the discussion which grew out of Gov. Clay's Digest, in the House of Representatives, he exhibited a dexterity in parrying thrusts and knocking over formidable objections, which would have done credit 7* 74 MR. M* CLUNG. to the most subtle special pleader. At times he mounted into the region of eloquence, and disported himself with handsome imagery, as well as bold argu- mentation. His voice is clear and sonorous ; his manner dignified, and his taste always that of the perfect gentleman. When he strikes at an adver- sary, it is with a keen blade — the nerves quiver and the victim reels, but no disgusting wound is laid bare. At the head of the judiciary committee, Mr. Mc Clung was drawn into the defence of his reports, and often became identified with measures for which he felt no solicitude, Mother than to pronounce in favor or against them as became his duty by the reference. In this way he was more frequently on the floor, and had a greater variety of propositions to examine, than any other member. We have seen him make some two dozen reports of a morning when committees were called by the chair. He was familiar with the rules of the House, and availed himself promptly of all the advantages to be derived from that source. When new questions of order arose, he was some- times consulted by the Speaker, and great respect was attached to his recollections of the practice. The political associations of Mr. McClung have been apparently renewed, and he acts with the ma- jority ; still there is an undefined something about him, in connexion with his late schism, which does not make him perfectly at home as a partizan. He lias an expressive countenance, manly bearing, and would be noticed in any crowd. His grey head gives him a venerable appearance, though he is per- haps under fifty years of age. mr. m'coy. 75 Mr. McCOY, (Of Mobile,) Is a merchant of very superior business qualifications. He seldom addressed the House ; but it was gene- rally understood that his opinions were sought by gentlemen on the finance committee, to aid them in their labors. On the nomination, by Mr. Campbell, he was elected by the House, a member of the joint examining committee on the State Bank and Branch- es. The onlv time we recollect of seeing Mr. Mc- Coy on the floor, beyond a few suggestions, was, when he introduced his bill to better the currency of Alabama, by dividing a certain per cent, of specie on the circulation, and funding the balance of the bank issues, in State bonds bearing five per cent, in- terest, and payable five years after issuance. On that occasion, he read several letters from his Mobile correspondents, showing the panic in exchanges ; that specie had run up to 25 and 30 per cent., and was advancing, owing, as alledged, to the apprehen- sion that the Legislature would enact stay-laws, or throw some difficulty in the way of creditors. Mr. McCoy compared the shock in exchanges to a Texas stampede, when a company of horses took fright, and every one dashed off heedless of rider, rein or bit. The plain causes, founded on the laws of trade, which he assigned for these results, and the very in- telligent manner in which he reviewed the commer- cial and agricultural interests of the south-west, as affected by the currency, showed to the satisfaction of all, that Mr. McCoy ranked among the first in the 76 mr. m'coy, House, for experience and knowledge in his pursuit. When a member inquired of Mr. McCoy, for the pur- pose of embarrassing him, if he had not supported the measures which his correspondents placed at the bottom of the panic, he promptly replied, that he had voted for the liquidation of all the Branch Banks, and he gloried in the act ; to him it was the proudest re- flection of his life ; and when his children became old enough to read the journal of the House, it was his consolation that they would see his name record- ed in favor of the wisest financial movement that had ever been made in the State. He thanked his God that he had lived to take part in the session ; that it seemed peculiarly fortunate for him, after declining so many previous solicitations to be a candidate, he had yielded at last, and now he was satisfied. Throughout his remarks, Mr. McCoy was animat- ed and graceful. His language was in good taste ; and the only regret felt was, that a gentleman pos- sessing his excellent advantages of matter, and de- livery, should not have taken a more frequent part in discussions before the House. The personal ap- pearance of the member from Mobile denoted great activity in business, as well as suavity of address. — No member commanded more respect as a gentle- man. He is a genuine whig, apparently about forty years of age. MR. m'lemore. 77 Mr. McLEMORE, (Of Chambers,) Is one of those fiery and exalted spirits that attract admiration as well from their lustre, as from their tendency to banish sordid and gloomy contempla- tions. In his presence, whenever he is disposed to exhibit his own nature, there can be no mental hor- rors. If he has a measure or a friend to vindicate, his soul is in the task, and so are the powers of his fine intellect. Every fact must be understood — eve- ry signification rendered clear. It is incompatible with his view of things, that mystery, double enten- dres, or equivocation of any sort, should be adjourn- ed to another time. No moment better suited for an issue than that which brings up difficulty or suspi- cion. If there be danger, he invites it ; if error, explanation is the best remedy ; if injustice, and with him is the fault, his soul breathes reparation ; but if he is the victim, the tempest might as well be rebuk- ed for its desolation, with the hope of staying it, as to attempt to convince him of the expediency of let- ting it pass unredressed. This is one view of his character which has secured him the highest estima- tion, not because it is faultless, but for the reason that he is noble even in his errors of temperament. Whenever he addresses the House, Mr. McLe- more is sure of attention. His great forte is prompt- ness, wit, and sarcasm in debate. He has a peculiar way of saying things which cannot be described. — We have frequently listened to him, with admira- tion of his graceful figure, pleasant voice, nervous 78 mr. m'lemore. language, and eloquent bursts of passion. It has oc- curred to our mind, that the warmth of his feelings is an impediment to his usefulness in the House, es- pecially, as one so constituted, rarely plunges into the dry and tedious labor of general investigation. In regard to Mr. McLemore, he has met ques.ions on the floor, when he was fully prepared with his au- thorities, thereby evincing that they had been care- fully weighed for the occasion ; but some of his hap- piest efforts have been wholly unpremeditated. He has the elements of a fine declaimer ; nature has been liberal in this respect, and it only requires cor- responding exertions on his part, tempered with a little more calmness, to set him in the front rank. — When his political principles are assailed, or when he discovers that the majority are legislating for them- selves, and not for the people at large, he is apt to speak his mind with a boldness and freedom, short of which, it seems, he cannot be satisfied. The mem- ber from Chambers has long occupied a seat in the House ; is bland and courteous in his deportment, and is much esteemed even by his political adversa- ries, for his manly bearing. We are not certain, but are inclined to the opinion, that Mr. McLemore be- longs to the profession of the law ; if he does not, he has talents for it of no ordinary kind. He is a whig, and a planter, just in the vigor of life. MR. M'MILLION. MR. MERRIWETHER. 79 Mr. McMILLION, (Of Jefferson,) Is quite a sensible member ; and by no means trou- blesome on the floor. He has much experience in the House, and is never at a loss in regard to the question. Session after session he occupies a seat in front of the speaker, keeps his eyes on all that is pass- ing around him, and serves as a kind of memorandum book, to which his neighbors refer when they lose the hang of business. Mr. McMillion occasionally submits remarks, which are always to the point, and heard with attention. He is a strict party man, con- fiding, without limit, in democratic leaders, and has the good fortune to think and vote precisely as they do, not for the want of opinions of his own, (his very sound intelligence forbids such an idea,) but from the pure love of his political family. His vocation is said to be that of a teacher of youth, and from his looks, we should judge him to be near forty-five years of aae. Mr. MERRIWETHER, (Of Tuskaloosa,) Maintained perfect silence during the session, and thus afforded no opportunity for the House to deter- mine how far his legislative abilities might be antici- pated in his future career. In looking at Mr. M., as 80 MR. MI REE. he sat demurely in his place, it occurred to us he was extending marked civilities to his fellow-mem- bers from a distance, who came to gain notoriety by much talking, while he refused to say a word, lest it might appear in the same light as the constant prat- tle of a man, at his own fire -side, to the great annoy- ance and disappointment of his guests. Whether such a motive really actuated the member from Tus- caloosa, and led to his taciturnity on the floor, or whether he said nothing because nothing presented itself to his mind worthy the consideration of the House, is a matter of secondary importance. Suffice it to say, Mr. Merriwether did as much good by his reserve, as one-half the members by their incessant talking. In that respect, his example is to be com- mended. He is a democrat, and planter, not exceed- ing thirty-eight years of age. Mr. MIREE, (Of Perry,) Had been a member several years ago. As he took no position in the business of the House, and appear- ed to be of stern and solitary habits, at least in the sittings, we have no materials with which to draw a character. There was no room to doubt, from his votes, that he was a true disciple of Alabama democ- racy ; and in paying him this compliment, we have exhausted our knowledge of his merits, unless we MR. MITCHELL. 81 place to his credit the introduction of a bill, which afterwards became a law, (pamphlet, 191,) to legal- ize the matrimonial contract between a gentleman and lady who intermarried, while the latter rested under disability, from the fact that a divorce had been obtained against her in another State. This relief was not only essential to the happiness of the parties, but to the character of the innocent offspring of their illegal, though not culpable union. Mr. Mi- ree is, no doubt, much respected among his fellow- citizens, as he is an intelligent planter, not beyond middle age. Mr. MITCHELL, (Of Autauga,) Had ill-health during the session, though he was generally in his seat. He made no effort in discus- sion, and contented himself with voting, as a whig, on all questions that involved the principles of the two parties in the House. Those who knew him best, spoke of him as possessing fair abilities, which nothing but his infirm health (asthma) prevented from being exerted in debate. He is quite a young man, and a lawyer by profession. 8 82 MR. MOORE, OF MADISON. Mr. MOORE, (Of Madison,) From his service of twenty years in the Legislature, has acquired the appellation of " Father of the House." He is a gentleman of many line qualities, and of a sound head. Previous to the late session, he had uniformly been chairman of the Bank com- mittee, and sustained the onerous duties of that post, with credit; but as the financial condition of the State, growing out of the Banks, seemed to require more than ordinary skill and labor in the preparation of measures at the late session, the Speaker assigned that responsibility to the very able member from Mobile. Mr. Moore Avas placed at the head of an- other active committee — that of Propositions and Grievances, and was diligent, no less than impartial, in the discharge of his duties. At the session of 1841-2, Mr. Moore was elected Speaker of the House, by a unanimous vote. His long membership necessarily made him familiar with the Rules, and he presided with great fairness and courtesy, if not with decision. His main defect in the chair, if it may be called a defect, was his ex- ceeding delicacy lest he should offend. From this cause, proceeded those frequent, and, at times, irk- some explanations, by which he essayed to place his official conduct right before the House. A gentle- man more entirely devoid of favoritism, in the admin- istration of parliamentary law, or one who strove to satisfy all parties, never presided, in that dignified tation. Mr. Moore was far above unworthy influ- MR. MOORE, OF PERRY. 83 ences; nor do we recollect of ever having heard a breath of censure against his motives, either in the chair or on the floor. True, he is a strong partizan, and he delights in the success of democratic mea- sures ; but he always fights openly, proclaims his ob- ject, and bears victory or defeat with dignified com- posure. As a debater, Mr. Moore occupies very fair ground, without being considered the most powerful reason- er, or imposing speaker of the House. His personal looks, especially his open and honest countenance, calm bearing, and respectful address, are highly pre- possessing. His efforts are always respectable, and occasionally of much force. We have heard some very fine things from Mr. Moore, in discussion, alike creditable to his intelligence and his patriotism. He is a physician, and also one of the wealthiest planters in the State ; perhaps, has more property than any of them, and owes no man a dollar. The age of Mr. M. we should take to be the senior side of fifty. Mr. MOORE, (Of Perry,) Is a firm democrat — accepts whatever will benefit his party, or maintain its foot-hold, as so many orders on his service, and appears to manifest as little con- cern about the quality of a proposition, so it is label- ed democratic, as any member on the floor. His 84 MR. MORGAN, OF AUTAUGA. anxiety is to ascertain one leading fact, i. e., does the measure in hand tally with the interests of the democratic party 1 — will it increase their power, or cripple their opponents ? If so, then is Mr. Moore its champion until dooms-day. That the member from Perry is honest in his convictions of duty, we have no reason to doubt ; for he has so drilled his imagination that lie can see nothing but wisdom in democracy, and its reverse in all other parties. Mr. M. is a flippant speaker, has a good delivery, and quick apprehension. With these aids, he was gene- rally interesting, but never paddled his barque into deep water, and seldom let go the bushes on shore. He abhorred the very idea of tossing on the huge billows of debate ; he enjoyed the magnificent spec- tacle of a storm, while other ships rode out its fury, though he was cautious to avoid the surge. This, we believe, is a just analysis of his political charac- ter. As a gentleman, no one stands fairer ; his word goes as far as any man's, and he is prompt to redress a personal injury. Mr. Moore is a lawyer, in the prime of life. Mr. MORGAN, (Of Autauga,) Is much respected in the House. He is not a talk- ing member, in the broad sense of the term ; yet he claims the attention of his fellow members, occasion- MR. MORGAN, OF CHAMBERS. 85 ally, to a few suggestions, or facts, of which he de- sires to place them in possession. This he does in a mild and unpretending way, and usually accomplishes his aim. He is a neighbor, and warm personal friend of Gov. Fitzpatrick. The highest evidence he could give of his fondness for the Governor's society, was the bill he introduced to repeal the act which required the Governor to reside permanently at the seat of government. When the bill passed both branches, and was laid before his Excellency for ap- proval, he thought of his old friend, the member from Autauga ; the many huntings and fishings they had had together, and for his accommodation, he signed it. None of this policy, however, appears on the re- cord. Perhaps a man more worthy of his confidence and friendship, as proved by long intimacy, could not be found by our respected chief magistrate. Mr. Morgan is a planter, and a democrat, probably two score and ten. Mr. MORGAN, (Of Chambers,) Is not only a good Indian fighter, but is a sterling representative. Many years ago, he held the office of United States Marshal for the District of Georgia, and discharged his public trust with great prompt- ness and integrity. He had not before served in the legislature of Alabama, and was of the number who 86 MR. MORRIS. became very tired and impatient of the long session. He was as regular as clock work in his attendance in the House, and evaded no question. In explaining the bills and petitions he had introduced, Mr. Mor- gan necessarily occupied the floor, but never long at a time. On one occasion, he was a little severe on the majority, though his language was courteous and respectful. It seemed impossible that he should have enemies, for he was at all times frank, liberal and pleasant. Mr. M. is a planter, and a zealous whig, of large muscular frame, and perfectly grey head. His age is probably fifty-five. Mr. MORRIS, (Of Fayette,) During the last few weeks of the session, was con- fined to his room by severe illness. Previous to that time, he was a voting member, and appeared to look on with an anxious desire to see that his constituents, and the democratic party in general, were benefited by the action of the House. If his thoughts flowed in a different channel, we shall be excused, as a mat- ter of course, for not knowing their specific direc- tion and objects. The member from Fayette, con- stituted one of a large portion of the House, who were attracted to the Capitol, as much from curiosi- ty, and a sort of local pride to be called representa- tives, as from any deep-rooted impressions of their MR. MORRISETT. 87 own, that were the wheels of Government to cease motion, they could give them a rotary impulse. That valuable and numerous class of our fellow citi- zens would find congenial employment any where else, than at the seat of Government. Mr. Morris is a planter of middle age. Mr. MORRISETT, (Of Monroe,) Is a rare character. A mere sight of his person would create no suspicion in the mind of the behold- er, that he was gazing on a man of acute and com- prehensive intellect, of intuitive sagacity, and great practical information, in the member from Monroe ; yet such, nevertheless, is the fact. Mr. Morrisett is emphatically a sensible man ; he possesses that most valuable and unfrequent of all gifts, sterling, unadul- terated, unpoetic common sense. He illustrates his notions of political economy in the most tangible and convincing of all methods — the successful manage- ment of his own affairs. The mere shifting of prop- erty from hand to hand, at greater or less prices, does not satisfy him that any solid wealth is added to the country. His ideas are so far antiquated that he believes nothing is gained to the general prosperity, except what is produced from the earth. He is obstinate in that opinion, and whoever undertakes to combat it, must rise early and think hard and late. 88 MR. MORRISETT. No member of the House could excel the gentleman from Monroe, in strong, connected reasoning on topics which struck at the pecuniary interests of men. Girard himself was not more familiar with the prin- ciples of gain, and we had almost added, loss, too; but the latter term not being in the vocabulary of the member from Monroe, he might suspect us of indecorum by using, to him, a foreign word, and we therefore disavow it. It Avill require no great force of imagination, to conclude from this outline, that the finances of the member from Monroe are in a most flourishing condition. It has been usual for the subject matter of discus- sion to be introduced in the House, in a tangible shape, before argument; but the course of the mem- ber from Monroe ' was different. We distinctly re- member that when the bill to wind up the branch bank at Mobile, was under consideration, Mr. Mor- risett suggested that he had an amendment to offer, and then proceeded, in advance, to support it by a speech of two or three hours. The House adjourned while the member had the floor, and of course he was entitled to it next day, when the special order was taken up. When the hour came, the gentleman from Monroe was not in his seat ; the bill was in- lormally passed over until he appeared, at which time he submitted his amendment, not in due form, but merely byway of synopsis ! He then continued his remarks ; but for the want of a definite plan, of which his amendment fell short, he failed to secure the hitherto willing attention of the House, and his proposition thus perished in its skeleton shape. The MR. MORRISON. 89 bottom of the question proved deeper than the mem- ber from Monroe had fancied, and he thereby dropped in water over his head, though he rose to the surface and swam out bravely, shaking himself like a lion, casting the dew from his mane. There was a quaintness and sarcasm in the style of Mr. Morrisett, that often provoked the risibility of the House. His blows, either in reply or in state- ment, were strongly dealt. It appeared to us, from the drift of his whole movements, that if in his power, he would make professional idleness a penitentiary offence ; that he wduld banish all drones from the great hive of society, and whoever refused to work should have the privilege of starving. The member from Monroe is a fat subject for the pencil ; and had we not already given him more space than we can average to his fellow-members, we should add a few more touches, to bring him up to his full stature and proportions. His picture, though unfinished, like his amendment, is set before the public eye for its criti- cism. We subjoin, that Mr. Morrisett sometimes practices law, and is a full blooded planter and whig, fifty years of age, more or less. Mr. MORRISON, (Of Bibb,) Though regularly in his seat, left such of his qualifi- cations at home as were calculated to elicit applause ; 90 MR. MUNDY. for nothing was more evident than that the member from Bibb had pertinaciously resolved to have no part or lot in the business of the House, not even to the extent of forming a conclusion in his own mind. This fact, however, did not prevent him from voting ; but it certainly denied the House the aid of his counsels on the several trying questions before it. Had all the members of the House kept their in- formation as secluded, the session would have closed without any " proceedings" at all ; and if so, the heavy expense of printing the laws and journals would have been avoided. In this view, the mem- ber from Bibb would have saved the public money ; but we have no idea of insinuating that he would have gone so far in retrenchment as to waive his per diem. This would have been an exercise of abso- lute will on his part, too terrible for calm reflection. Notwithstanding Mr. Morrison neither sought nor obtained legislative distinction, it detracts nothing from his personal amiability. In politics he is with the majority, and by occupation a planter, about thirty years of age. Mr. MUNDY, (Of Jackson,) Is a case outrageously in point, and well adapted to the hand of the delineator. Representing a county where there are forty democrats to one whig, it is not MR. MUNDY. 91 surprising that his temper kindles when he finds in the House, as co-laborers, men who do not believe that Gen. Jackson wrote the Declaration of Inde- pendence, subdued Cornwallis at Yorktown, framed every clause of the Federal constitution, and had been President from 1789 until he bequeathed the Government to Mr. Van Buren and his supporters, in 1336-37. It is, indeed, enough to provoke the wrath of a master spirit of democracy, like the mem- ber from the "avalanche" region, to see pigmy mor- tals have the presumption to construe political histo- ry different from himself, or to have any ideas of their own, when it is so much safer to be united in one common mass of thought, propelled by the genius of grasp-all. It is not difficult to form an opinion of the member from Jackson, and his great solicitude for the public interests, when it is stated that of the sixty-seven democrats on the floor, many as old, and not a few as wise as himself, he was the only man who had the moral courage to sound the tocsin of party for the avowed object of taking money out of the treasury as a bonus for political services. This unscrupulous appeal was instantly rebuked by one of his col- leagues, (Mr. Finley,) who said that in voting away the people's money, he knew no party, and that he was for saving, let it benefit or injure what party it might. We dwelt with some particularity at No. 35 of these portraits, showing the generalship of the mem- ber from Marshall, in moving to lay every bill to which he was opposed, on the table. It will be only 92 MR. ML' UP HEY. a just tribute to the member from Jackson county to say, that from his strong propensity in that line, he deserves the rank of first Aid to the Table General. From such a chief and such a staff, both illustrated by democratic exploits worthy of their genius, what results might not flow to civil liberty ? Mr. Mundy favored the House with occasional remarks, which cannot be termed the very worst in style and man- ner, delivered in the course of the session, nor can they be vouched, by a long shot, as the very best. They were between the two extremes, rather in- clined to the heel of the list. That Mr. Mundy is a good merchant, and a very upright gentleman in society, we have no doubt, as we take it for granted that every member is such who has the seal of his constituents : we should suppose him to be forty years of age, though his dry, dyspeptic looks may deceive. Mr. MURPHEY, (Of Randolph,) Had ways of his own ; looked fresh and athletic, and seemed to explore the different rooms and passages of the capitol with as much assiduity as if in quest of gold dust, of which it is said he is a professed col- lector among the mines. He never made a remark in the House, of which we have any knowledge, further than to offer papers. Of his intelligence we MR. NORMAN. 93 know and heard nothing, hut presume it is fair, as he is a mechanic, and that class of men are generally close observers and sound thinkers. He is also a democrat, in meridian blaze. Mr. NORMAN, (Of Franklin,) Sustains very fair relations in the House. He occu- pies the floor just often and long enough to gain his remarks a patient hearing. There is one subject on which he takes the lead, session after session, and that is, relief to the purchasers of University lands. He is familiar with the proceedings of Congress, the State legislature, and the action of the Trustees in regard to the seventy-two sections donated by the General Government, for the establishment of a seminary of learning in Alabama. The different sales ; the minimum prices ; the average at which the lands were bid off; the cash payments; balance due, and the hardship of cases, are stored away in the memory of Mr. Norman, for use whenever his bills for relief are under consideration. His projects, whatever show of justice they may have, if any, seem to meet with very little success. There are gener- ally two or three members of the Board of Trustees in the House, who, having examined into the fiscal interests of the College, report that a very large amount, not less than $140,000, has already been 9 94 MR. MORRIS. relinquished to purchasers. Other arguments follow of sufficient validity to dispose the House against the measure of the representative from Franklin. As a debater, Mr. Norman is quite respectable, though he sets up no high pretensions. His manner is earnest, his voice distinct and agreeable. He is a merchant, and also a democrat, in the morning of life. Mr. NORMS, (Of Dallas,) Is perfectly aware of his mental gifts, and it is well that he should be so. It is no less folly to be igno- rant of one's capacity, than to overrate it. In this respect, the member from Dallas has fallen on the proper medium. He has sufficient confidence in his own opinions, to induce him to assert them boldly, and at such length as to do himself the fullest justice. We have frequently heard him discuss measures un- til the House began to grow impatient, and call for the question. This, however, did not allay the zeal or abridge the speeches of the member; on the con- trary, after surveying his tormentors, he looked de- fiance at them, and then proceeded in his own way. At no time, however, did Mr. Norris talk wide of the subject, nor was he particularly feeble. There was a vein of good sense in all that he said, and it was evident that he kept the public interests steadily in MR. OLIVER. 95 view. His favorite measure at the late session, was the bill he introduced to let out the public printing to the lowest bidder, on sufficient indemnity to the State. Had it passed, it is probable a saving of $2,000 annually, on the then existing prices, would have been realized to the treasury. The bill, how- ever, was finally laid on the table by the majority. When the bill from the Senate, to divide the State into Congressional Districts, on the white basis, was before the House, Mr. Norris used every exertion in his power to amend it by detaching Coosa from the third, and adding it to the seventh district, but failed. Mr. Norris is just passing the noon of life. He is an intelligent and upright planter, and a whig. Mr. OLIVER, (Of Macon,) Made no effort, and manifested no anxiety, to be- come conspicuous in the House. Submitting the bills and petitious which devolved upon him, in the course of his public duties, he was content with the privilege of voting for or against whatever came be- fore him. We recollect no evasion practiced by the member from Macon. His voice was, perhaps, as regularly heard when the roll was called, as that of any gentleman on the floor. Take him all in all, he was what might be termed a favorable specimen of the planting community, more remarkable for solid 96 MR.PETTIT. worth, than for mere sound and show. The mem- ber from Macon is apparently forty-five years of Mr. PETTIT, (Of Barbour,) Has been more or less prominently before the pub- lic eye for the last dozen years. We recollect see- ing him in the Legislature of Georgia, some ten years ago. He originally belonged to what was call- ed the Clark party in that State, in opposition to Troup and the Treaty, in the scenes of 1825 and '26 ; but when the Carolina doctrine of State Rights be- gan to be promulgated, Mr. P. was among the few of his local party that espoused it warmly. This was, assuredly, high proof of his disinterestedness and sin- cerity. To what extent his position affected his po- litical prospects in that part of Georgia in which he resided, we are not prepared to say ; but we should infer from circumstances, that he was not satisfied. In a few years, Mr. Pettit is seen laboring with ability, in support of State Remedies, as editor of the Alabama Journal. We had the pleasure of seeing occasional numbers of his paper, and these certainly evinced talent and investigation, in the cause to which he had devoted the energies of his mind. — Finding, no doubt, that editorials cost more time than could be well spared from his profession, Mr. P. re- MR.PETTIT. 97 linquished the press, and established himself at Ir- winton, (now Eufaula,) where he at present resides* in the midst of a lucrative practice of the law. Se- veral years ago, Mr. P. was a member of the House, from Barbour. His rank, as a debater, has always been considerable. He possesses a fine voice, court- ly manners, and commanding person. At times, he is even eloquent. Occasionally, he skims the sur- face of questions, as if he thought he could best an- swer his purpose in that way ; again, he strikes at first principles, and makes a strong impression on the judgment of the House. The mental operations of Mr. Pettit are not distinguished for celerity ; they are rather cautious and safe, than rapid. When a clear opportunity is afforded for the indulgence of wit, he utters some very excellent things in that way, on the floor. No gentleman is more courteous and bland in discussion. His nature revolts at the idea of using offensive language, unprovoked, and he is equally decided, in permitting none to be addressed to him, with impunity. Mr. P. is not destitute of a lair opinion of himself; has the elevated feelings of a gentleman, and is a warm whig, about forty-four years of age. 9* 9S MR. PICKETT. Mr. PICKETT, (Of Marengo,) Was a new member, and took no part in discussion. He was always at his post, and faced with his vote, every question that came before him. Though firm in his opinions, and always ready to act them out, he was modest and retiring, utterly averse to every thing like show. He is a tall, fine looking gentle- man, in the zenith of life, a whig, and planter. Mr. PORTER, (Of Tuskaloosa,) Enjoys an extensive and merited reputation for legal abilities, and also as a legislator. Besides the nine volumes of the decisions of the Supreme Court, bear- ing his name as reporter, he, in conjunction with Mr. Stewart, reported five other volumes, exhibiting, in the whole, an amount of labor, and professional re- search, on his part, which has secured him a most enviable distinction, not only at home, but among his brethren of the bar in other States. He formerly represented the county of Monroe in the Legislature, and was regarded, thus early, an ef- ficient member. Removing, afterwards, to the seat of government, where he still resides, he has been several times elected a representative from Tuska- loosa county. Actuated by a humane spirit, he in- MR. PORTER. 99 traduced a bill at the session of 1838-39, to abolish imprisonment for debt, which passed both Houses of the General Assembly, and received the Executive approval, February 1, 1839. That judicial remant of a barbarous age, has been wisely destroyed through the efforts of the member from Tuskaloosa ; and no man, except fraud be alleged and proved against him, can now be deprived of his liberty in this State, for debt. At the session of 1839-40, Mr. Porter, then a member of the House, was elected Judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit, which was created, from other Cir- cuits, during the session. When he visited Mobile, embraced by the new Circuit, for the purpose of en- tering on the duties of the bench, he was greeted with a most hospitable and cordial reception by the inhabitants, who, through a highly respectable com- mittee, tendered him the compliment of a public din- ner, and expressed the grateful remembrance in which they held his exertions in the Legislature, in behalf of the city, at a period of great commercial em- barrassment, fire and pestilence. The committee added assurances of the high estimation in which they held his virtues and talents, and of the pleasure they felt at his residence in the city. Mr. Porter declin- ed the proffered civilities, on the ground that, as a Judge, it was necessary he should abstain from ex- citement, and take no part in public proceedings of that kind. After having cleared the dockets of the Circuit, of several thousand cases, and performed more labor than perhaps any Judge in the State, within an equal 1 00 MR. PORTER. period, underwent, Mr. Porter resigned his office in six or seven months, owing to the alleged unconsti- tutionality of his election, he having been a member when the Circuit was created. About this time, the presidential canvass began to wax hot, when Mr. Porter, no longer trammelled by the ermine, engag- ed ardently and eloquently in the discussions of the day, as the supporter of the whig candidate. Being specially invited by the whigs of Franklin county, to attend a Convention at Tuscumbia, on the 16th of October, Mr. Porter complied, and was elected Pre- sident of that body. The same honor was also con- ferred on him at the State Whig Convention, at the capitol, in December, 1840. About this time, when each party was consulting about its candidate for Governor, the name of Mr. Porter was mentioned in several prints, in connexion with that office ; but the whigs declining to make a nomination, no candidate was presented from their ranks. From that time until November last, the whigs continued to regard Mr. Porter as one of their ablest and most devoted champions; and the whigs of Tuskaloosti especially, testified their confidence, by the cordial support they gave him, among an unusual number of whig candidates, on the first Monday in August, by which he was elected to the House. The whigs of Dallas having invited him to a Clay festival, to be given on the 30th of November, he returned them a communication, which excited gen- eral surprise and regret among the members of the party with whom he had so long and bravely done MR. PORTER. 101 battle. He assigned certain abstract reasons, why he could not yield his support to the whig candidate for the Presidency, and noticed the State rights ground, on which he had always stood, considering it in direct antagonism to the policy of the whig- Congress, and of Mr. Clay. Mr. Porter did not expressly name Mr. Calhoun as his first choice, but left as much to be inferred from his published letter of 3d November, to the Selma committee. Under these circumstances, Mr. Porter took his seat in the House ; and we could not repress the idea, that his situation, between the democrats and whigs, with whom he was publicly associated, was not extravagantly agreeable, and that it kept him from occupying the active and prominent position during the winter, which he had hitherto done. Still, he did not remain wholly in the back ground ; he introduced valuable measures, and supported them with ability. In all his votes, we saw no es- sential split from the body of the whigs, except in regard to the acceptance of the distribution fund, now subject to the order of the State, in the Treas- ury department at Washington. With the demo- crats generally, he voted against receiving it. As a speaker, Mr. Porter is distinguished for ani- mation, force, chaste language, clear thought, not powerful voice, and graceful address. His reading embraces almost every thing ; his memory is reten- tive, and freely supplies him with what materials he may desire from books. He is a most indefatigable student and business man. Whatever may be the objections of the whigs to his late political course, 102 MR. P Y N E S . (which we by no means defend,) it cannot detract from the generous and lofty traits of his personal character. In these, he has a foundation, which politics cannot sweep from under him. The age of Mr. Porter, we should infer, is about thirty-six. Mr. PYNES, (Of Henry.) Was so little different from mankind in general, and sat up such modest pretensions to legislative glory, that we should wrong him, by ascribing any decided points of character to him, or by attempting to por- tray a gentleman so intellectually balanced, that he had no motion at all. This remark is only applica- ble to his business nature — not to his personal quali- ties, which gave him a strong hold upon the kind re- gards of his fellow members, among whom he sat daily, until about the last two weeks of the session, when he obtained leave of absence, and left for home. It will be seen that we have a meagre, though honorable topic, and that politics, (democrat- ic,) and age (thirty-four) alone remain to be mention- ed, besides the fact that he is a planter. MR. RICE. 103 Mr. RICE, (Of Morgan,) Is an experienced member, and has been President of the Senate. His abilities are more than ordinary ; and so are his speaking powers. He is grave, formal, well bred, complaisant, and full of reminiscences of character and events. When the House went into committee of the whole, or the Speaker temporarily left the chair, Mr. Rice was generally called to pre- side ; and it is due to his knowledge of parliamenta- ry rules, and also to his intelligence, to say that he acquitted himself in that situation with uniform credit. The member from Wilcox, (Mr. Bridges,) was the only gentleman on the floor, who, within our observation or knowledge, complained of irreg- ularity in the conduct of the member from Morgan, while in the chair. That circumstance has been alluded to elsewhere. We have no hesitancy in saying, that no blame could or did attach to Mr. Rice. No member was more tenacious of the rules, and few understood them better. From the specimens of talent and eloquence we have heard from Mr. Rice, in both branches of the General Assembly, we have always been of opinion, that he was moulded for an orator of superior grade. His voice is strong, rich and musical; his address commanding and dignified ; his language has force and beauty enough to captivate both the mind and the ear. In fact, view the member from Morgan in what light you may, whether as a declaimer, com- mittee man, or presiding officer, he sustains a high 104 MR. RICHESON. reputation. His mind is less acute than solid. On constitutional questions, he shows to greater advan- tage, than in the skirmishes of the House. The only drawback that we have noticed, in the business habits of the member from Morgan, is the rather solemn, and somewhat pompous formality, which governs all his movements. This, in fact, injures no one ; but a great deal of it is frequently looked upon by other members as setting a premeditated example for their imitation ; and it is known that such a thing as lecturing public bodies on etiquette is not well received. We cannot tell the reason why Mr. Rice, considering his abilities and long public service, ami withal, his warm devotion to the democratic party, has not received greater promotion at the hands of his political friends, who seem to have the power, in North Alabama at least, to put up and pull down whom they please. They have certainly sent men to Congress with less qualification. He is a member of the bar, about fifty years of age. Mr. RICHESON, (Of Franklin,) Is one of those cases of exceeding difficulty to make a strong picture. All that we have to remark is, that he voted as a democrat, and made a few obser- vations to the House at different times, all of which he contrived to dress up for the public eye. Thus, MR. ROBINSON. 105 we have seen published, remarks of the member from Franklin, which were enhanced in value by the fact, that the time of the House was not con- sumed by their delivery in extenso, but only by cap- tion. In this, however, he was not destitute of com- panions ; and we have merely glanced at the cir- cumstances, in connexion with the member from Franklin, because he appeared to be the last, from whom a speech would be expected on the floor, and certainly among the very last, to whom a production of any length, without his name, would be attribu- ted. He was an attentive member, of friendly dis- position, a democrat and a planter, rising forty years of age. Mr. ROBINSON, (Of Madison,) Appeared to be somewhat morose and abstracted in his habits. He frequently addressed the House, and his efforts may be styled neither very strong nor by any means feeble. They were usually founded on specific data, and partook of excellent sense ; yet they were, in the main, phlegmatic and prosey. When he began to speak, his strong guttural voice would draw attention, until there became such mo- notony in his sentences, particularly the opening stress and percussive swell which vibrated with harsh emphasis, that the ear was very little enter- 10 106 MR. ROBINSON. tained. Very differently, however, was the judg- ment ; it was always edified by matter of fact or opinion worthy to be heard. The member from Madison, we should infer, was laborious in his pro- fession, that of the law ; he has a strong mind which does not appear to be highly cultivated, perhaps for the w T ant of early opportunities, in which we know how to sympathize with the member. He was re- garded as a highly valuable business man of the House, and an efficient debater. The peculiarities of manner to which we alluded, did not amount to absolute discord, so as to clear the galleries and put members in an uproar; nor did they prevent his being listened to with respect. They only rendered him harsh — not dull. In politics, Mr. Robinson is a democrat. We have understood that in his county there is a split ; the Clay party and the Moore party, — to the latter of which Mr. Robinson is said to belong. He is an in- corrigible bachelor, with ample means for matrimo- ny ; and as a punishment for his coldness toward the ladies, we have a great mind to tell his age — but we forbear. He is young enough to be a prize in the market, and plenty old to manage well. MR. ROB.Y. MR. SCOTT. 107 Mr. ROBY, (Of Morgan,) Is a new and very young- looking member. He did not think proper to give the House instructions as to its duty, or light with regard to his own motives for any vote he gave. Perhaps he considered there was no dearth of talking members, and that to acquire general good wiil, silence was the cheapest instru- mentality. There is no doubt the member from Morgan was competent, from his regular education and fair abilities, to have figured in debate much to his credit ; but as it was his first session, the sound of his voice, when all was attention to hear him, was a peril not to be courted prematurely. From his appearance, he would be taken for just twenty-one ; but we have understood that he is six or seven years older. He is a planter, and belongs to the political majority so omnipotent in his quarter of the State. Mr. SCOTT, (Of Jackson,) Was introduced very extensively to the public, some three or four years ago, by the action of the House on his eligibility to a seat, he having been at the time of his election, and while presenting his credentials, clerk of the circuit court. Upon investigation, his seat was declared vacant ; whereupon, he returned 108 MR. SCOTT. to his constituents, and without resigning his clerk- ship, was re-elected and appeared forthwith at the bar of the House, demanding his seat, which was again refused, and we think he was elected the third time, still retaining his office, and was thrice reject- ed. Nothing hut the adjournment prevented, so far as we know, a continuance of the war upon the House. During the last session, no contest arose in regard to Mr. Scott's membership — his term of office having expired, or he had resigned it. He occupied the floor frequently, and sometimes at much length, always with clever ability. Mr. Scott was deeply imbued with the spirit of a partizan, seeking popular favor by the most bald faced and unqualified mode — that of a starving economy in the public expendi- tures, and of constant declarations of love for the people — the laboring portion especially. To show that public officers were too well paid, he was in the habit of comparing the profits of manual labor, in the different occupations, with the per diem of the Judges, showing that the sweat of fifty men at the plough would hardly earn as much money as the State paid to one Judge ! In fact, he demonstrated, in his own way, that the average of common labor was eleven cents per day to the hand, while that of the Judge, who sat in the house sheltered from the cold and the heat, amusing himself with his books, was six or seven dollars per day. When he drew the contrast, his voice rose to the sternest pitch of indignation, as if it was anti-republican to permit mental labor, pursued in the shade, to be paid a MR. SKIPPER. 109 fraction higher, than mere bodily labor in the sun, where no idea of greater altitude than a potato hill was necessary. Such, we believe, were the prevail- ing characteristics of the member from Jackson. He was not without ingenuity nor talents ; in both, he was far above mediocrity. As a speaker, he had qualities which would have commanded much higher respect, but for the incessant game of " Buncombe" a,t which he was always playing, or at least it so ap- peared to others. He is something of a business man, and is author of the bill for the investigation of all extra allowances made by bank directors since 1835, giving power to the Governor, if he should deem it expedient on the report of the commission- ers, to institute proceedings for the recovery of such unauthorized applications of the public money. (See Acts p. 220.) Mr. Scott's county settles his politics. His age, though his head is freely sprinkled with grey, is not perhaps over forty-two or three, if so much. We think he would make a good lawyer ; but not know- ing that he is one, we set him down as a planter. Mr. SKIPPER, (Of Dale and Coffee,) Though a new member, was sorely afflicted with the belief that the session would fail to do good, unless he enlightened the House on the subjects of finance 10* 110 31 R. SKIPPER. and taxation. It is due to his capacity in general, as well as to his style of eloquence in particular, to say that he was always heard with mirthful attention. No small measure of wit, or felicitous humor, is usually required to set the House in a rage of laugh- ter ; yet to the honor of the member from Dale, be it said, he never occupied the floor without banishing all sadness within the scope of his voice, or within view of his person. There was a burning idolatry in his affections towards man, as a noble, rational, independent, daring, unsophisticated being, that could not brook the insulting idea of a tax on his poll! Such was not the liberty (paying tax on a man's brains,) for which his forefathers met the. ene- my at the Cowpens, Ninety-Six, Eutaw and Camden, in the State which gave him birth, and where taxes were alone laid on property. To tax a man's head, was, in his opinion, to make him a slave to the gov- ernment. Sooner would the rock of Gibraltar fly from its base, than he would tolerate such an odious, strange, abominable, despotic, outlandish, idea — it was the most " preposterous thing ever heard of." And he was as good as his word, in voting against it. Whenever a man acquires celebrity, people are curious to know much about him. We do not say that the member from Dale was governed by the proud resolves of an ambitious statesman, when he triumphed over a rival claimant for the honor of a seat on the floor ; but it was very evident that a few weeks' acquaintance with public affairs, as they passed in review before him, kindled the fires of his intellect, and sent him whizzing like a meteor in the MR. SKIPPER. Ill air. His language, if the sounds he emitted from his lips may be so called, was not crisped nor enervated by scholastic rules, or by any known relation to ob- jects. It gushed forth in its pristine freedom, as in days before such innovators as Lindley Murray and Noah Webster drugged the human mind with their nonsense. But, the member from Dale, with all his peculiarities, not less striking than they were harm- less, was upon good terms with his fellow members. So far as we know, he is a gentleman of upright life, and, to use his own expression, " a natural born de- mocrat." He has been sheriff of Ins county, or some neighboring tract, according to his confessions in the sparring he had with Mr. Morrisett. At all events, the member from Dale is not likely to miss preferment of any kind, by reason of self-distrust. No man is more decidedly exempt from that craven infirmity ; and we should not be surprised, new and unpromising of great results as his name is at present, if a few more winters at the Capitol qualified him for Congress, in the opinion of his constituents, and so forth. Mr. Skipper, being neither lawyer nor doctor, must be a cultivator of the soil, apparently under thirty years of age. 112 31 R. SMITH, OF LAUDERDALE, Mr. SMITH, (Of Lauderdale,) Is more highly estimable as a man, than he is influ- ential or respected in debate. No member exhibits equal intolerance. Always free to charge the worst motives upon his opponents, or those taking side of the question different from himself; and couching, as he usually does, his fulminations in the bitterest language, his very act of taking the floor, creates a heavy, grating movement in the House, as if the rack of torture was upheld for its victim. His temper is occasionally excited to such a pitch, as to choke his utterance, or to give his sentiments the cast that he alone, of all the House, has wisdom and integrity enough to legislate for the public weal. We have no idea, nor do we intimate, that the representative from Lauderdale really looks upon his fellow mem- bers as destitute of correct principles, although his manner often implies as much. An incident that caused the profoundest feeling in the House, might be mentioned, to show into what extremes of rash- ness his feelings would lead him ; yet as a description of it would place the member from Lauderdale most irretrievably in the wrong, and might be regarded as an attempt to give publicity to a quarrel between democratic friends, we pass over it. Aside from the rancor which he manifests in discussion, Mr. Smith has no defect which could be magnified to his injury. Much of the irascibility of the member from Lau- derdale, at the late session, may, perhaps, be justly ascribed to the acute bodily sufferings under which MR. SMITH, OF PICKENS* 113 he labored most of the time. He was compelled to walk with crutches, from rheumatism, and had to be assisted frequently by his friends, in moving in the hall, and always by his servant in ascending and de- scending the staircase. He was the only member allowed by the Speaker to vote from his seat at the fire place. Mr. Smith is intelligent, though he cares very little for taste in his style of speaking. Apart from his political character, he has much to recom- mend him to public esteem. He is a planter, near forty years of age. Mr. SMITH, (Of Pickens,) Has a venerable appearance, and is no doubt a clever, worthy citizen of the democratic school. He ad- dressed the House occasionally, and was very pro- fuse of his courtesies to " Mr. Speaker," a term which constituted one-fourth of his harangues. Economy in the public expenditures was his hobby, and he ambled upon it with great satisfaction, always pay- ing his respects to " Mr. Speaker" at every lope. The resolutions he offered for biennial sessions were merged, in committee, into those of Mr. Kennedy, of Lauderdale, which provided for the same object, and also for a reduction of the members of the legis- lature. Mr. Smith offered amendments to bills, chiefly of the retrenching character. He is a plant- er, about fifty years of age. 114 MR. SMITH, OF TUSKALOOSA. Mr. SMITH, (Of Tuskaloosa,) Is not unknown to fame — chiefly as an author ; and in that character we shall first introduce him in our portrait gallery. It has been said of Pope, that he lisped verses at five years of age, or at some other very tender period ; but how soon the member from Tuskaloosa began the same sport, remains to be di- vulged by the biography of his literary career, when juvenile manuscripts shall he decyphered into pre- cocious rhyme. Whether the Muse asserted her dominion over Mr. Smith, in his tenth or fifteenth year, or at a much earlier or later period, we have no means of stating with satisfactory precision ; but, as all important eras, especially those a little soiled with antiquity, are fixed by connecting data together, we shall endeavor to show at what point of the horizon the member should be located — whether, below the zenith, or a little beyond it. Now for chronology. Some twelve years ago, Mr. Smith stood before the world, in print, as an author. The readers of elegant fiction were banquetted upon " The Bridal Eve ;" the epicures of verse had their palates regaled by " College Musings," and as to the periodicals he adorned with contributions, thus early in the nineteenth century, we have no catalogue on which to found a statement. It is generally believ- ed, his pen was in action most of the time, in writing books, or in the preparation of odes for that loveliest of all months, which succeeds April, and for that most thrilling of all events, the coronation of the May MR. SMITH, OF TUSKALOOSA. 115 Queen. Nor did he confine his labors to minstrelsy ; though musical in the grove, he was didactic in the parlor, as shown by a series of letters in the " Bea- con of Liberty," purporting to be from a young lady at school, to her mother, descriptive of the society of the village of G , and more particularly of the behavior of Mr. Alexander Wheelhorse, at a ball. — In these vigorous occupations, the member from Tus- kaloosa engaged with exuberant gusto. To him, all nature stood revealed in the garb of Poetry,, melting in " consolidated moon-beams," on perfumed, tint- ed, gilt-edged paper, in heavy embossed, variegated morocco binding. But in the midst of these elysian contemplations — these haunts of the fairy queen, there sprung up a savage monster that demolished the whole concern. War, grim-visaged, gory war, was heard in the eastern breeze. Its clarion notes roused the poet from his dreams, and converted him, as if by magic, into a soldier — aye, an officer. The drum beat for volunteers to march against the Creek enemy ; three-score brave youths rallied to their country's standard — organized as mounted infantry, and placing Captain Smith at their head, they re- paired to the scene, — or were turned back, by supe- rior orders before they got there. In fact, we never heard much about the expedition, whether it rendez- voused at Vernon, and there disbanded, or whether it participated in the destruction of the hostile war- riors, whose slain lay in uncounted heaps at Fort Tus- keegee. Though having no materials for a full his- tory of the campaign, we are certain of one thing — that Captain Smith acquired (or deserved) as much 116 MR. SMITH, OF TUSKALOOSA. glory as fell to the lot of any brave that crimsoned his sword in the Creek war of 1836. Having felt the military passion, without the pros- pect of danger at home, Capt. Smith directed his vision to Texas, and addressed public assemblies wherever he could find them, in behalf of the young Republic, — of his countrymen there, resisting the tyrant Santa Anna, — and painting in the richest colors of eloquence, the benefits of martyrdom, like that of the chivalrous Fannin, Crockett, and other noble dead. We recollect listening, with pleasure, to his manly appeals, in the village where we then resided. The building in which he spoke, was a large unfinished tavern ; the basement story afford- ed, by its uncovered sleepers, convenient seats for the audience. Here we caught such enthusiasm, that we were almost tempted to rush upon Santa Anna's bayonets, just for the immortality of being- butchered in the cause of freedom. Capt. Smith was apparently resolved on such a fate, let others do as they might. On his way to Texas, he halted in Mobile, and there became engaged in a tragedy, not similar to that of Goliad or the Alamo, but some- thing about " Aaron Burr, or the Conquest of Mexi- co." We have seen, in the Picayune, from the pen of one of its editors, an account of the origin, pro- gress and consummation of this piece of authorship. It is there stated, that a young actor, the warm per- sonal friend of the member from Tuskaloosa, wish- ing to bring forward an original play for his benefit at the theatre, and entertaining the opinion, that the member was endowed with great dramatic abilities, MR. SMITH, OF TUSKALOOSA. 117 suggested to him the character of the tragedy. No sooner said, than the author went to work, and com- pleted two or three acts the first night, which were rehearsed by the performers the next day, and in a few evenings, the whole was ready for public exhi- bition. But the difficulty was in casting the charac- ters; the comedians knew very little of Aaron Burr, what kind of man he was, so that they could safely enter into his passions and schemes. This dilemma was obviated by the author, who had tho- roughly sifted the hero of the plot, and who took upon himself the personation of that renowned individual, on the stage. The night arrived — the play was per- formed to a crowded audience, amidst great ap- plause ; and it is said by the Picayune editor, that the most brilliant and effective passages in the trag- edy, were never written — but were extemporized by the author, in sustaining the character. We in- quired of a gentleman, who had read the play, and who saw it performed that memorable night, what sentiments Burr uttered on the stage, which were not in the copy. The reply was, that in the closing scene, where Burr is stricken down a corpse, the stage curtain refused to drop, owing to some defect in the pulleys, until the dead Emperor began to grow impatient, and whispered, " let down that curtain ! — let down that curtain instantly ! !" These are the unwritten words of the play. As for Texas and her battles, they had to defer to other engagements. About this time, Mr. Smith established in Mobile, a monthly or semi-monthly periodical, styled the " Bachelor's Button," under his editorial direction. 11 118 MR. SMITH, OF TUSKALOOSA. It was sustained with ability about twelve months, more or less, and then died. The tragedy of " Aaron Burr," enriched its pages. The next glimpse we get of Mr. S., we find him mayor of this city, in 1839 and '40 — a very honora- ble station, and one that is always sought, either with or without competition. In the latter year, he gal- lantly supported the hero of Tippecanoe for the Pre- sidency, and in August, took an excursion to Nash- ville, Tenn., for the sole object of seeing and hear- ing a citizen of Kentucky, by the name of Clay, who had been invited, and promised to attend the oreat South- Western Convention there. In a few months afterwards, a Poem appeared in this market, entitled " Hard Cider," descriptive of the conven- tion, its incidents, characters, and above all, of the said Clay, who was versified into more than mortal. This poem has been publicly ascribed to Mr. Smith, and he has neither publicly nor privately denied its authorship. So things went on until August, 1841, when Mr. Smith was elected by the whigs, a Representative of Tuskaloosa county, in the Legislature. In 1842, he was again a candidate for the same post, and was elected as a whig. Having occasion to address a portion of his constituents in November, he express- ed his opposition to Mr. Clay's views on the tariff land distribution, bankrupt law, and the veto power. Since then, the political doctrines of Mr. S., if he has any in particular, are not exactly known. He cannot, to be sure, have the grace to join the demo- MR. SMITH, OF TUSKALOOSA. 119 cratic party, after branding them with such compli- ments as are found in his work on " Hard Cider." At the session of 1841, the member from Tuska- loosa defended the University, as a glorious institu- tion ; and extracts from his speech were even pub- lished in other States, as specimens of Alabama elo- quence. In 1842, he assaulted it with great vio- lence, and came within a single vote of retrenching it to death. Besides the profession of literature, he follows that of the law, and has written and published a book of 444 pages, called " The Alabama Justice of the Peace." It is creditable to his skill and industry,, and has strong recommendations, from established lawyers, of its great utility. We must apologize for the length of this sketch. As Mr. Smith is the only member who has been an author from his childhood, and who has cultivated poetry through all its gradations, from doggerel to epic, it may well be supposed that we could not dis- patch him in few words. It now remains for us to allude to his style of speaking, which is a very pecu- liar and moving style. As to his voice, it is feeble, without huskiness, and utterly devoid of compass. The tones are distinct enough, but they have no va- riety ; they glide on the scale of sound as if eloquence consisted in torpid monotony. There is always ani- mation in the language, but it has no second in the act of speech. Yet, at times, Mr. Smith says things handsomely ; he always labors to do so, and therein lies his error. If he paid less attention to the harmo- 120 MR. SMITH, OF TUSKALOOSA. ny of his sentences, and more to the subject matter, he would find it to his advantage. The word moving, applied to Mr. Smith's style of eloquence, we now explain. It is the faculty of driving beyond the reach of his voice, either mem- bers of the House or spectators. We recollect when Mr. Smith undertook to make a speech in favor of his resolutions, from committee, affirming the inten- tion and ability of Alabama to comply with all her engagements, about two-thirds of the members left the hall, and the Speaker (Mr. Rice in the chair,) announced that no quorum was present. The door- keeper brought in the absentees, and Mr. Smith re- sumed. In five minutes, the Speaker said there was no quorum. This happened three or four times, when Mr. McClung remarked, that the House was so impatient of the question, that even Cicero him- self, were he present, could not secure the attention of members. Under the force of this comparison, Mr. Smith took his seat, and was quite demure the balance of the session, lest the idea of his being equal to Cicero, in the estimation of others, might vanish. One thing more, that of age. Computing that Mr. Smith was twenty-five when he first published as an author, twelve years ago, he would now be thirty- seven ; but supposing that he was only seventeen then, he is now under thirty, which is, perhaps, the correct figure, as he was not old enough to act as a Trustee of the University, to which honor he would have aspired at the late session, but for the misfor- tune of being under thirty years of age, — the law re- quiring that Trustees should be at least thirty. We MR. STORRS. 121 leave the question of age to be settled between Mr. Smith and the ladies, to whose favor we consign him, as a very agreeable and accomplished bachelor. We leave many things unsaid, which the rare qualities of Mr. Smith suggest as worthy of mention . In all his social relations, he is perfectly clever ; no gentleman more so. As a politician, his conduct has been so devious of late months, that there is as great a diversity of opinion, as to what party he belongs, or what object he seeks, as there is in re- gard to the comet, or zodiacal light. Mr. STORRS, (Of Shelby,) Has been two years in succession a member of the House, and is a gentleman of very fair talents. — Though he speaks well, he is by no means trouble- some on the floor. When a subject comes up for discussion involving any grave principle, or which concerns his part of the State, he is very apt to ex- press his views firmly and briefly. In regard to winding up the Montgomery and Huntsville Branch Banks, Mr. Storrs differed from most of his whig friends — made a speech against the proposition, which was published, and appeared on all occasions to vote according to his best judg- ment, regardless of party lines. His voice is strong, and by proper management, could be made to an- 11* 122 MR. TATE. swer all the purposes of oratory. Mr. Storrs is a law- yer, not exceeding thirty years of age. Mr. TATE, (Of Limestone,) Has one of the perfectly white heads in the House. He is a physician, and belongs to the democratic party. What may be his abilities either in commit- tee or on the floor, he did not afford any opportuni- ty for others to judge, during the session. Once or twice he made a few observations, but not enough to enable us to say more, than that he appeared quite intelligent. While the bill, to compensate Gover- nor Clay for his Digest, was pending, Mr. Tate al- ways voted for the highest sum, and proposed to fill the blank accordingly. We mention this circum- stance to show that the member from Limestone had generously forgotten the affair he had with Gov. Clay, twenty-fiveyears ago, which led to a hostile meeting between them, at which Mr. Tate was shot in the leg. All enmity has long ceased, and their friendship is not less pure toward each other, on account of their ancient difficulty. We infer that Mr. Tate is fifty-five years of age. MR. TURNER. MR. VALLIANT. 123 Mr. TURNER, (Of Washington,) Never trespassed on the attention of the House dur- ing the session. He was a quiet, attentive member, who introduced the few bills and petitions which re- lated to his county affairs, and left the floor to pro- fessional talkers. It was his first session, and it may be, if he takes his seat again, that he will make some attempt to figure in discussion. His appearance is at least as indicative of talents as that of many gentlemen who kill time in speaking, as if they were sent mere- ly to abate it as a nuisance. Mr. Turner is a portly, fine looking member, not over twenty-seven years of age, a planter, and democrat. Mr. VALLIANT, (Of Lawrence,) Confined his efforts on the floor to bills which relat- ed to the fees of county officers. He seemed to be perfectly acquainted with the business of sheriffs, and evinced as much anxiety to keep up their emolu- ments as if he was in office, or calculated soon to be so. As a plain, unprofessional man, he is quite a glib speaker, and has fine practical sense. His voice is one of the shrillest in the House, and rings like the high notes of a fife, with a sort of penetrating quaver. Mr. V. has been several years a member, and is 124 MR. WALKER. vigilant in watching what is going on around him. He is rising of forty, and is a democrat. The forma- tion of his head is said to resemble very much that of John Quincy A dams ; perhaps he is not so bald ; but the organ of firmness, or obstinacy is, equally as well developed. Mr. WALKER, (Of Lawrence,) Sustains a very favorable position in the House, Although a decided democrat, he is not so far duped by prejudice as to go the whole length of party manoeuvring. His views are generally sound and practical ; he has nothing to do with gilded abstrac- tions, or circuitous systems of policy. Where he can see the bearing of a measure and its positive effect, his language is, yea or nay ; but he has never been guilty, so far as we know, of advocating, in discus- sion, what to him is dark or uncertain. He desires light, and his own excellent mind usually affords, on patient reflection, the key to solve all his doubts. He addresses the House occasionally, but never to a tiresome extent, and is always heard with marked attention, because he talks to the subject. His was among the names mentioned before the meeting of the legislature, for the Speaker's chair; but the majority settled, in consultation, upon one candidate to whom alone they gave their support. MR. WARE. 125 Mr. Walker presides, when temporarily called to the chair, with great firmness. He is a good committee member, and in all his relations, a most estimable gentleman, to which may be added that he is a good physician, in the prime of life. Mr. WARE, (Of Montgomery,) Is admitted to be one of the most sagacious and discreet members of the House. In fact, every word and thought he utters is full of first rate sense. When he has an object in view, he sets it boldly before the House, and gives the whole argument in a nut-shell, so that before the attention is in the least fatigued, the question is laid open in all its parts, as with the dissecting knife. He has been two winters in the House, and struggled manfully to obtain the aid of the State in behalf of the Montgomery and West Point Rail Road. At one session he asked for the State's guaranty on the bonds of the company to a certain amount, to enable the stockholders to com- plete the road, and thus render available the capital already invested. In this he failed; but never despairing, he broached the subject at the late session, in a new light ; made it appear that the two per cent, fund could be applied by the State, under the specific limitations of the act of Congress, in no other way than establishing the very line of improve- 126 MR. WATTS. ment of which the road formed an extensive link. He ultimately succeeded in getting an act passed, loaning to the company $120,000 of that fund, after it shall have answered its purpose at the land offices, on adequate security to the State. Mr. Ware has enlarged views of every thing ; he is not cramped or timid in his movements. Perhaps he has no superior in the House in public spirit, and it was the fewest number that excelled him in busi- ness intelligence. His manner of speaking was highly agreeable, and his disposition eminently stub- born. You might as well undertake to level the Andes by a zephyr, as to drive the member from Montgomery. Where his judgment and free will led, there he would go in spite of the world; further* the combined universe could not force him. He is a whig and a skillful physician, about forty-five years of age. Mr. WATTS, (Of Butler,) Was rendered conspicuous by the frequency with which he occupied the floor, the length and quality of his orations, as well as the peculiar manner of his delivery. He is a young lawyer of good talents, sound information, and a reasonable share of shrewd- ness, but a most awful judge of emphasis, and in- tonation. After his first speech or two, by which he MR. WATTS. 127 satisfied the House in regard to his eloquence, a ner- vous shivering crept over the members whenever he rose to his feet and called " Mr. Speaker." We have tried to arrive at the secret of these manifestations, why such a buzz should pervade the hall, and why members should dash to and fro, as if the building was on fire, at the precise moment when Mr. Watts flashed his glasses full in the face of the Speaker, though of course at the proper distance. Our belief is, after mature study of the case, that the member from Butler has far more intellect than oratory; that he has a most incorrigible ear for sweet sounds; that the rattling of a tin pan is to him as musical as the Eolian harp, and that a cracked voice, vibrating with most exquisite discord, is the same in harmony, to his taste, as the richest tones of a master of elocu- tion. He was fluent, sensible, and his language in good taste ; but as for the rest, as a speaker, we refer to those who had the pleasure of hearing him. A gentleman of his fine promise, one so liberally edu- cated, and whose mind is well trained to investiga- tion, should lose no time in correcting his errors of emphasis on every short word, and dashing at the pitch of his octave, through a full hour's speech. If Henry Clay were to adopt such a style, his reputa- tion could not survive it ten minutes. In other respects, Mr. Watts was a valuable mem- ber, though he split from his whig associates on the bill to accept the distribution fund, made a speech, and voted against it. He was a strong advocate of the University, and made a handsome effort in de- fence of it, when its fund was assailed. His age is not exceeding twenty-five. 128 MR. WHORTON. — MR. WILLIAMS, OF J. Mr. WHORTON, (Of Blount,) Is a member whom we know, only by seeing his name on the roll, and hearing him vote. We could never make out his identity. He is a democrat and planter. Mr. WILLIAMS, (Of Jackson,) Commanded very general respect in the House. He was in favor of early and late sittings, for business, and was the first to propose the rule to that effect, which was afterwards adopted, with slight modifica- tions. A stay law was also a favorite measure with him, and he used all his efforts to have it passed, but failed. His remarks were always brief, well timed, and explanatory of his object. He had the charac- teristics of a modest man, interfered little with the business of others, and placidly looked on the pro- ceedings of the House, as they either dragged, or were despatched, with compound velocity. We have had occasion to state, that in the county of Jackson, whigs were almost as hard to find as the philosopher's stone. Out of about 2,300 voters, there are probably fifty whigs. Mr. W. is a planter, ap- parently thirty-three or four years of age, of fresh and very tender complexion. MR. WILLIAMS, OF P. — MR. WINSTON. 129 Mr. WILLIAMS, (Of Pickens,) Had the appearance of being an amiable member, somewhat advanced in life. The first, and perhaps only time he addressed the House, over a few re- marks on presenting bills and petitions, was in an- nouncing the death of his respected colleague, Mr. Gardner, to which we have alluded in these sketches. In a few weeks afterwards, Mr. W. was called home by the indisposition of his own family, and returned to his seat after he had the affliction to lose one of his children, on which sad event he re- ceived the sincere condolence of his friends in the House. We are not acquainted with any peculiar- ities in the public character of the member from Picknes. He was uniformly sedate, observant of what was going on, and voted with the democratic party, to which he belongs. His head is perfectly white, which gives him a venerable aspect. He is a planter. Mr. WINSTON, (Of DeKalb,) Is a member of the legal profession, and has several winters occupied a seat in the House. He possesses plain, strong, every day sense, and knows much about the disposition and ideas of the people as a 12 130 MR. W1NSTONOF DEKALB. mass. When we first knew him, he was engaged in some angry scenes on the floor, and from his blunt, uncouth and partizan conduct, we were not dispos- ed to think very well of him; but seeing more <>{ him and witnessing a variety of his efforts and meas- ures, we take pleasure in saying, that our first im- pressions were unjust. The member from DeKalb, furious democrat as he is, and sometimes unneces- sarily violent, is in fact a very useful member of the House, and worthy of much esteem. He offered the joint resolution which was adopted, (see Acts 224,) to amend the Constitution, so as to give Justices of the Peace jurisdiction of sums of one hundred dollars, and to make Judges of the county court elective by the people. In support of that measure, he made a very sensible argument. His style of speaking is rather heavy, and deficient in literary polish. If his ideas were expressed in the language of a smooth, practiced declaimer, they would show well. We do not say that the member from De- Kalb is unable to possess the attention of the House when he addresses it; but he labors under the diffi- culty of having only such language at command, as admits of very serious improvement for a public as- sembly. His reputation is on the increase, and so is his personal popularity. He is scarcely of middle age, with a round, athletic person. MR. WINSTON. OF SUMTER. 131 Mr. WINSTON, (Of Sumter,) Is one of the most successful members at repartee, in the House. With a thin, cadaverous, and very youthful appearance, he has the voice of a boy, — soft, yet distinct. He has great independence of character, and lashes his own party with severe blows when he believes they do wrong. Some of the most racy sparring we have witnessed on the floor, has been between the member from Sumter, and his fellow democrats. Mr. W. has invariably triumphed in all battles of mere wit and scuffling ; his resources have never been exhausted, and the more he is pressed, the keener his sarcasm. If it was agreeable to him to wear more gravity, and to confine his remarks to the question, instead of his opponents, he would be a very powerful debater. His views are entirely original, and strike all with such force, that nothing but the appearance of joking on his part, keeps them from exerting more influ- ence. Whether he rises to a constitutional point, or some frivilous bill, the quizzing tones of his voice, and his subdued ironical smile, deprive him of weight. All like to hear him, because he has hu- mor, invective and shrewdness; but the charm is entirely lost, from the fact that he does not seem to be in earnest, but is only amusing himself to see what he could do, if he felt disposed. In many of his votes, he rose superior to party, and has secured the respect of all his fellow members. Take him 132 MR. WITHERSPOON. as he is, feeble in health, much of his time, and he may be called a gifted individual. He is a planter, about twenty-seven years of age. Mr. WITHERSPOON, (Of Greene,) Would be noticed from the lobby or gallery, as one of the most intellectual men in the House, upon the rules of phrenology. His forehead is high, features bold and prominent ; and a figure tall and erect, that would command attention any where. With all these signs in his favor, he never addressed the House more than a word or two, on presenting bills, petitions and reports ; yet it was evident, his silence was not owing to a want of intelligence. He be- longs to that best educated, and best informed of all professions in our country — that of medicine ; and apart from this presumption of superior attainments on his part, Mr. W. had only to converse a few words, to show that it was well founded. He unites to his medical profession, the income of a planter. Mr. W. is a whig, in the meridian of life. MR. WOODWARD. 133 Mr. WOODWARD, (Of Sumter,) Is a Baptist clergyman, and, as will be seen, the last member on the roll. On several occasions, he made remarks to the House, chiefly as head of the com- mittee on roads, bridges and ferries, to which a great many petitions, bills and memorials were referred. He is a sound headed planter, with smooth delivery, and plain, unpretending language. Whatever busi- ness engaged his attention, he reflected upon ma- turely, before acting. It is a very dry labor, to ex- tend observations about a gentleman, who has no towering points of character, and one, too, like the respected member from Sumter, whose sacred office elsewhere, forbids that we should take liberties with him, merely for diversion. We are free to add our honest testimony to the uprightness of his walk, the kindness and interest of his conversation, and the pleasant humor with which he beguiled his social hours. Like other clergymen, who have long ad- dressed public audiences, he was self-possessed, in- structive, and always commanded respectful atten- tion in the House, and out of it. He is a democrat and a planter, rising fifty years of age. We have concluded our sketches of the House of Representatives. We shall now begin with the Senate. 12* HEADS OF THE LEGISLATURE. SENATE. The Senate being what is called the upper branch of the General Assembly, was perhaps entitled to our earliest attention, after we had made up our mind to furnish these sketches, but the fact that we were best acquainted in the House of Representatives, from being reporter there, one extra and the last two regular sessions, induced us to begin with that body, while our impressions were fresh. Having glanced more or less fully at every member of it, we now pay our respects to the honorable Senate, in the order of the Roll. Mr. President TERRY, (Of Limestone,) Has in all probability, a wide career before him as a politician. He has presided over the Senate the 136 MR. TERRY. last two winters. When we had the best opportu- nity of knowing him, he was on the floor at the ses- sion of 1840 — 41, during which we occupied a seat at the reporter's table in the Senate. The first time we heard him, he went to such extravagant lengths, in ridicule of the whig party, and indulged in such coarse, unusual and unwarranted epithets, that we viewed him as only excelling all his comrads in low, spiteful and rash persecution of those who differed from him in politics. Besides great boldness of character, essential to his mode of attack, we soon perceived a quick, subtle and active intellect, over- shadowed by a despotic and absolute will, that w T as more the slave of dark passion, than the ornament of a liberal and patriotic mind. He seemed to glory in reviling, by every combination of insulting terms, his political adversaries, for no other offence than merely being such. This was our first opinion ; we now regard him in a more favorable light, having seen quite an improvement in his character. The Senator from Limestone, in spite of a defec- tive education, is a good debater. What his lan- guage wants in taste, is made up by manner. His voice is strong, resonant, and well trained to empha- sis ; not that he lays stress at all times correctly, but he gives the highest effect to his meaning. This is, indeed, the main office of cultivated speech. He is occasionally eloquent, without trying to be so, or, indeed, without knowing any of the artificial rules by which public debaters render themselves agree- able to the ear. During the two last winters, we have attended very little in the Senate, owing to our MR. TERRY. 137 employment in the other end of the Capitol ; but we have learned from some of the whig Senators, whose testimony is at least impartial, that Mr. Terry pre- sides with great liberality as well as promptness ; that he renders justice to his political opponents on the floor, in all matters coming under the rules of the Senate, and that his courtesy flows from a magnani- mous heart whenever he sees others in the act of violating the propriety of discussion, or assuming what is not strictly decorous. Few men have more mental sprightliness, though they may exceed him in power. As for diffidence, or that feeling of hu- mility which is often the companion of superior abil- ities, the President of the Senate has never been taught that such a word or sentiment exists. We are sure that lie knows as little of it as he does of the geography of the moon. He is the leader of his party in the Senate, and quits the chair half his time, to mingle in debate, or rather to direct the political machinery. He turns the crank much better than any of the rest. His intrepid address is every thing to his cause — his arguments of slight value, for the want of system and moderation. From his own confessions at a large Temperance meeting in this city, about the first of January, on the occasion of Col. Lehmanowsky's visit and address on that subject, Mr. Terry was addicted to social felicity in the retinue of Bacchus, until twelve months ago, when he enlisted under the Total Abstinence ban- ner. His remarks were those of a patriot and phi- lanthropist, in rallying others to his standard, and nobly did they respond. We noticed in our columns L38 MR. TERRY. at the time, this effort of the gallant Senator. For the good of our race, we thank him, and so do hun- dreds thank him. We alluded in the outset, to his prospective career in politics. To be brief, as our remarks have already taken more space than we can allot to each Senator, it is our honest opinion that he aspires to the Execu- tive functions, and that, too, by a tenure more per- manent than that in virtue of his present office, in case of a vacancy. As the majority in the State is democratic, Mr. Terry will find a smooth road, com- paratively, after the present Governor's second term shall have expired, unless the whigs shall have the good fortune to replenish their ranks for the conflict. In his skirmishes in the Senate last winter, Mr. Terry alluded to the possibility of being called, by the spon- taneous voice of his fellow-citizens, to the Chief Magistracy, and intimated that he would support a style of hospitality becoming the office. We have no doubt he will ; for he is well known to be a model of generous living at home. He is said to be a great patron of the turf, and to keep as fine bloods as any in the State. The more we examine his qualities, blended as they are with much to esteem, and some- thing to condemn, we find it difficult to break off from the description, incomplete, but frank, as it is. We do so, by adding, that he is a wealthy planter, close upon forty-five years of age. MR. ARRINGTON. 31 R. BAYLOR. 139 Mr. ARRINGTON, (Of Butler and Pike,) Is a new member of the Senate, of whom we know nothing except that he sustains the character of a sensible and worthy planter, and a whig. Mr. BAYLOR, (Of Jefferson and St. Clair,) Came into the Senate at the session of 1841-42. We never heard him make a speech of any length, although he has, perhaps, occupied more time in that way than any member on the floor. He offered the famous resolutions which were adopted, stigmatizing the distribution and its supporters by so many hard names. No prominent question has been agitated in the Senate during the last two winters, in which lie did not probably take an able part, for he is said to be a very able man and a strong debater. On this subject, we have to rely on the opinion of others, which we have reason to believe is correct. Mr. Baylor is said to possess very superior literary and scientific attainments, and to be something of an astronomer. We have no cause to doubt the report. He is a brother to the Hon. Robert E. B. Baylor, who formerly represented this State in Congress, and is now Judge of the Circuit Court in Texas, and a very pious, eloquent Baptist minister. 140 MR. BRINDLEY. MR. BUDFORD. The Senator from Jefferson is a lawyer of high standing, an ultra democrat, and is perhaps forty- three years of age. xMr. BRINDLEY, (Of Blount and Marshall,) Became a member since we reported in the Senate. We have seen remarks published, with his name at the head, as having been delivered by him, though we have never heard criticism, praise or censure bestowed upon the gentleman, or any of his efforts. He looks fresh and jolly, is a democrat and planter, not far under half a century in this chequered world. Of our own knowledge we can say nothing, only as to his personal appearance. Mr. BUDFORD, (Of Barbour and Russell,) Is a member of the bar in successful practice. He has been in the Senate the last three winters at. least, during which time we have known him. At the sesssion of 1840-41, we heard many of his efforts on the floor, and witnessed his peculiarities. View- ed as a whole, he is one of the most extraordinary men we know. That he has genius of the mercu- MR. BUFORD. 141 rial order — sudden, bright, tempestuous, daring, er- ratic, — all must admit who have looked into his character. It was never our fortune to hear him, in remarks of much length, without his kindling into a perfect rage. His temperament is glowing and sen- sitive. No man crosses his path, in a hostile guise, without feeling the arrow sped from the sarcasm or passion of the Senator from Barbour. Whenever he undertook to assert opinions, or defend his rights, no earthly arm could stop him. The tornado is the only agent of nature to which he is comparable. Like that fierce besom, he would soon exhaust his violence, and become as gentle as spring. This is one aspect in which Mr. B. may be con- sidered. Perhaps he is as willing as his friends to regret it. However it may detract from the calm- ness and gravity of the Senate Chamber, it inflicts no stain upon his personal reputation. We do not think he is vindictive after the cause of excitement has passed away; we rather incline to the belief that he is noble and forgiving in his resentments. He usually prepares himself well on a question, and many of his authorities and expositions show a pro- fundity which would do credit to a much older head. His scholarship is a little eccentric ; some of his sen- tences are unlike any we ever read, — but still they are only in keeping with their author, — purely ori- ginal. When he lays hold of a subject, he never lets it go, until he brings out of it merits or objec- tions that would have escaped all other minds. Had we space, we could enumerate several instances of the kind. 13 143 MR. CREIGH. As a mere speaker, Mr. Biiford belongs to no par- ticular school. He has a clear, penetrating voice, at times quite soft and silvery, and then again harsh. His action is earnest without extravagance, and a little tremulous from emotion. To sum up his qual- ities, we have only to say that he is warm-hearted, chivalrous and intelligent — with rather too much passion. In the course of time, perhaps not distant either, he will stand among the very prominent men of his section, if not throughout the entire State. His age does not apparently exceed thirty-five ; his politics, whig. Mr. CREAGH, (Of Clarke, Baldwin, and Washington,) Is a most exemplary Senator. He is highly respect- ed in all the relations of life, and has served his country in the field. Occasionally he addressed the Senate, never long, and is always at the post of duty. He is sedate, courteous, and well informed ; is a de- mocrat, but pursues the course he believes to be right, even if it should take him from the crowd oi his party. Confining our remarks to his public char- acter, we have nothing else specially to add. It has been more than two years since we have attended the sittings of the Senate, except a few minutes at a time, and of course cannot say whether Mr. Creagh MR. DAILEY. 143 is as brief in debate now as formerly. He is a plan- ter, a little on the waning side of the meridian of life. Mr. DAILEY, (of Macon and Tallapoosa,) Though a very mild and agreeable Senator, has no disposition to keep silent too long, either on the floor or in print, lest he should be suspected of having no- thing to say ; a crime which, in his own estimation, would forfeit the confidence of those he served. Hence, he often solicits the attention of the Senate, in his own way, and then grants the public an oppor- tunity to judge of the soundness of his views. We recollect to have perused two or three published speeches of the Senator, and also to have bestowed some attention on their drift and reasoning, but did not succeed in the search for either. The Senator has, no doubt, his own guides, — but he is more than parsimonious in affording others the benefit of them, even after he has gone to the trouble of expending his breath at "Mr. President," and of writing out his observations in the silence of the closet. The fact is, Mr. Dailey imagined he was deeper in the ques- tions on which he spoke, and that he possessed the tact of presenting them in a much clearer light, than he really proved, on experiment. But this error was not at all discreditable to his good feelings, nor 144 MR. DENT. to the amiability of his character. For these he was highly esteemed. His course appeared to us, the winter we had a seat in the area of the Senate Chamber to note proceedings, that Mr. D. generally aimed to find the middle ground on any question, and there stop to harangue. If called upon to say what were the predominant indications of his mind, we should answer, to the best of our knowledge, hearsay and belief, that innocent purposes, backed by a tall conviction in his own favor, constituted his chief merit. In politics he is rather inclined to de- mocracy, with no binding allegiance to any party. He is a physician, and also a clergyman of the Meth- odist Church, upwards of forty years of age. Mr. DENT, (Of Tuskaloosa,) Has been long in public life, and has acted conspicu- ously in the defence of his country. His judgment is very sound, his principles firm, and his course open, manly and conciliating. He has made some very fine talks in the Senate, replete with patriotic ardor and strong reasoning. Great deference is al- ways paid to him, not only on account of the intrinsic value of his opinions, but for the suavity and deco- rum with which he acts towards all who oppose him in discussion. Whenever he inclines to humor, he has a fund so playful, yet biting, that he never fails MR. FLEMING. 145 to shake the gravity of his brother Senators. He alone has the art or the power to worst the Senator from Limestone, when he mounts his war-hobby, and charges rough-shod over all who happen to be in his path. Mr. Dent manifests, and no doubt feels, great personal kindness toward the presiding officer of the Senate ; but when the latter comes to the floor to rally his party troops, and to direct their move- ments, he finds his retreat very often cut off by Mr. D., and either surrenders with grace, to a gallant adversary, or stalks back to the chair to survey the battle ground, and plan better the next time. Mr. Dent has been usually at the head of the bank committee, and is well acquained with finance. His experience in the Legislature runs back to many interesting events and public men, and if we desired to collect materials in relation to measures and par- ties years back, we should apply to Mr. D. among the first, for information. He is a planter and whig, about forty-five years of age. Mr. FLEMING, (Of Madison,) Came into the Senate last winter ; and owing to the fact that we were occupied as Reporter in the other end of the Capitol, during the whole session, we never had the pleasure of hearing the Senator from Madi- son. We have seen a few of his remarks in print, 13* 146 MR. FOSTER. from the hands of the Reporters, which were very sensible. He is a democrat and planter, perhaps fifty years of age. Mr. FOSTER, (Of Cherokee and DeKalb,) Has been two winters in the Senate, and is an ex- cellent member. Though we are not sure that he ever belonged to, or prepared himself for, the legal profession, he has displayed a considerable know- ledge of the statutes of an adjoining State, in his Digest published some twelve years ago, when he resided in Columbia county, Georgia. " Foster's Digest" was a continuation of Prince, from 1820 to 1830, and was regarded as a good work. Since Mr. Foster has been in the Senate, our opportunity to know his powers in debate, if indeed he has thought proper to engage in discussion at all, has been very limited, for reasons to which we have just alluded in the preceding sketch. One circumstance, when the two Houses were engaged in joint ballot at the last session, reminded us so much of Georgia attach- ments, that we relate it : Mr. Foster announced his old friend, the Hon. John A. Cuthbert, (who, upwards of twenty years ago, was a member of Congress,) as a candidate forjudge of the county court of Mobile. The first eight bal- lotings, Mr. Cuthbert received from thirteen to eleven MR. HALL. 147 votes, the latter number four times in succession ; after that he began to rise, and at the thirteenth balloting received sixty-six votes, which elected him. All this time Mr. Cuthbert was in the gallery, calm and fixed as a statue, and heard the result an- nounced without appearing to know it. There was great competition for the office ; the salary is indeed better than the circuit bench, under the late reduc- tion. Several of Mr. Foster's friends expressed their surprise why he did not withdraw his candidate, after so much low running. His reply was, he knew his nag had good bottom, and would come out fore- most after so many broken heats. Sure enough it proved so. Mr. Foster was highly gratified, together with the many personal friends of Mr. Cuthbert, among whom was Mr. Pettit, of Barbour, (an old Georgian,) who voted for him each time. We have only to say that Mr. Foster has sound abilities, is a liberal democrat, and a planter, about forty-seven years of age. Mr. HALL, (Of Autauga and Coosa,) Resigned his seat near the middle of the session* on the ground, we understood, that his private affairs demanded the sacrifice. At the session of 1840, he stood high in the democratic ranks, and was a tolera- bly good speaker. There was a great deal of the 148 MR. HUDSON. pure swagger in his ways, and a most untiring hos- tility to the whigs. He had the advantages of per- son, voice and address for an orator ; but lie always preferred to let his sentiments down to a level wiiich deprived him of the sympathy, and, we may add, the respect of generous minds. We have no desire to enlarge upon the career of the Senator from Autau- ga, who, in his retirement, does not present a suita- ble case for a more definite outline. He is a planter, just in the prime of life. Mr. HUDSON, (Of Franklin,) Has, we believe, been fifteen years in succession a member of the Senate. He is always at the head of the committee on accounts, in which capacity he performs immense labor, and makes it a rule to re- port in favor of no claim unless it has both law and justice to support it, or has been certified by the Comptroller to be correct. His long service has made him perfectly familiar with the rules of the Senate, and with parliamentary law in general. Whenever a difficulty occurs in points of order, the Senator from Franklin is apt to be called upon, by the President, to say what is the practice. There is no dubt he would make an excellent presiding offi- cer; but as he is so valuable on the floor, and so industrious in all the duties confided to him, it is MR. HUDSON. 149 perhaps thought best to let him remain as a business member. We think it probable he has made more motions, explanations and suggestions during the fifteen years he has been in the Senate, than any other man ever did in his life time. Unless the floor is occupied in debate, we hardly think five minutes ever elapse without his being on his legs, either talk- ing to the question or pointing out some irregularity. His remarks seldom extend beyond two or three minutes. An argument, requiring time, is what the Senator abhors most of all legislative sins. If the one hundred and thirty-two members, besides the Sena- tor from Franklin, who compose the General Assem- bly, were as active and determined as Mr. Hudson, and had an equal dislike to long speeches, the same amount of business which it now takes two months to transact, could be accomplished in three weeks. As to pride of display or ornament, the Senator from Franklin is entirely guiltless. His voice is thin, feeble and without melody. It tumbles from his lips as if he did not care a straw about it. Should the taste of persons lead them into the lobby of the Senate, to have their nerves exhilarated by captiva- ting sounds, they have no occasion to be present when Mr. Hudson sets his vocal apparatus in motion, though, as we have stated, it rarely happens that it is not at work every interval of a few minutes, during the business hours of the Senate. Of his talents and general information, they are respectable without excess. As a clever, upright and well disposed citizen, we have no superior in our mind to place before him. He is a democrat, touched, in years 150 MR. HUNTER. past, with conservatism, and gave in his adherence, the same moon Mr. Tazewell, of Virginia, did, to Mr. Van Bnren. Mr. Hudson is a planter, not un- der forty-five years of age, though rather young looking. Mr. HUNTER, (Of Lowndes,) Stands on a solitary pre-eminence in the Senate, for smooth, animated, rich, extemporaneous eloquence. Nor is he at all behind, in solid, cogent, and sustain- ed reasoning on a question. His mind is competent to the severest analysis, and he follows the bearing of a proposition through all its sinuosities, sifting the gold from the dross with skillful exactness. The senator from Lowndes has long been prominent, first at the bar, then on the bench of the Circuit Court, and lastly, in political life, with bright and increas- ing reputation. In 1836, he was an elector for Pre- sident, and gave his vote to Mr. Van Buren. When the Sub-Treasury scheme was recommended to Con- gress, at the extra session in September, 1837, Mr. Hunter, honestly disapproving that measure, came out firmly against it, which, of course, dissolved his connexion with the Van Buren party. At the Whig Convention, held in the city of Tuskaloosa, June, 1840, he was elected President of that numerous and very intelligent body. It is well known that from MR. HUNTER. 151 the day of that Convention, the Whig cause began to assume a cheering aspect in the south-west, and its proceedings caused quite a sensation in other States, and particularly at the city of Washington, where Congress was then in session. The Whigs throughout the Union, felt new energy infused into them by this spirited assemblage, in a quarter known to be overshadowed and ridden by Democracy. We have taken this glance, merely to show the high re- gard in which the political integrity of Mr. Hunter was held by the Whigs of Alabama, in abandoning the majority, at the known sacrifice of the prefer- ment which awaited him at their hands. We have condensed, briefly, the characteristics of the senator from Lowndes ; and even if we under- took to be more precise, we are not sure that we could aiford a correct idea of him. As to his style of speaking, we have only to say that it is copied from no model — it is purely his own, and very effective. Of language he has a copious supply, — chaste, nerv- ous and brilliant. It shows to most advantage in de- livery. From the fact that it is exceedingly rapid, Reporters find it difficult to keep pace with him ; and and as the inspiration of his mind, in debate, is lost in the closet, he cannot do himself justice, by writing out his own speeches, afterwards, for the press. There is another light in which it is agreeable to view the distinguished senator from Lowndes. He is one of the most courteous and conciliating gentle- men in debate we have ever seen. What is due to honorable minds, and delicacy of feeling, is never violated, never withheld, except when aggressions 152 MR. JONES. are first made on him. Then, his rebuke is abso- lutely withering. The situation of that man is to be little envied, who provokes, by illiberality, the sar- casm of Mr. Hunter. In his common deportment, he appears a little haughty, which has given rise to the opinion among some not well acquainted with him, that he is cold and aristocratic ; but we are as- sured by gentlemen who have studied him intimate- ly, that such is not his disposition. To his profes- sional income, he adds that of an extensive planter. He is probably a little over forty years of age. Mr. JONES, (Of Sumter,) Deserves special mention. He came into the Sen- ate, 1840, and of course his term will expire on the first Monday in August. It would not be doing him justice, to say that his intellectual calibre is small, nor would it be candid on our part, to insist that it is of very huge extent. His public character has not been a passive one ; nor in the least so retiring, as to call for marked indulgence. Were we influenced by his example in debate, we should portray him in terms so animated, and so full of wrath, that we should jeopard the coolness of our temper, if not the fidelity of our sketches. Mr. Jones has great facility of language, and of enunciation. His voice is very agreeable, smoth and distinct, and his words flow in MR. JONES. 153 such a continuous stream, and with such little labor of reflection, that we may well apply to him the re- mark used page 30 of the sketches of the House of Representatives, that his fluency is so great, and so devoid of mental effort — so connected with the lips, as to weaken the impressions of the hearer, in favor of his talents. It is often the case, that public speakers fail to be appreciated, for the want of ready language and good voice ; but in case of the senator from Sumter, his flippancy seems at the expense of a more essential gift, and is, so far, a misfortune. Should we stop here, Mr. Jones would not be fair- ly treated by our pencil. We can truly say, that at times, he has impressed us with a high opinion of his abilities. Dexterous, headlong and passionate in discussion, he has proved himself acquainted with his subjects, and occasionally goes to their depth. His mind is elastic and fertile — always equipped for battle, and always violent — never calm, never for- bearing. He has, in great perfection, a kind of affi- davit zeal, which excludes the possibility of error in his course. If other senators would suspend their faculties of thought, for the time being, Mr. J. would be certain of victory. Without such dispensation, he has to abide his chances. In the main, the sen- ator from Sumter possesses more than ordinary tal- ents, and these too, of a kind that will command success. For many years, he has been a Methodist clergyman, and still retaining this character, he has lately joined to it, that of attorney and counsellor at law. His age, we presume, is a little under forty. 14 154 MR. KING. Mr. KING, (Of Pickens,) Has much experience in the Legislature, and is highly respected for his good sense and disposition. He makes what would he called any where, a fair speech, though he aims at no pomp or pride of dis- play. The every day affairs and interests of life, have received much of his attention, and he knows what measures promise the most benefit, and to these he gives his hearty support. His judgment is very much relied on, in the Senate, for the soundness of its conclusions, and he is generally found a safe ad- viser. The senator from Pickens is an interesting speaker ; he is plain, direct, candid and zealous in discussion, utterly discarding all tinsel ornament, and faces the question boldly and practically. He has no interminable web of theories, or hair drawn ab- stractions, by which to give himself the air of a pro- found statesman. The path of duty is pursued with firm step, and he turns neither to one side nor the other to make bargains. If the measure he supports, deserves success, he trusts it on that ground ; and if it do not, he submits with all deference to the over- ruling action of his peers. During the last two winters, we have not been an eye witness of the proceedings of the Senate, and of course our recollections of Mr. King, are not so vivid, as if we had been a spectator all the time, as in 1840. Mr. King is a physician, whig and planter, little past the noon of life. MR. m'allister. — mr.m'clanahan. 155 Mr. McAllister, (Of Henry, Covington and Dale,) Has never, within our knowledge, addressed the Senate. He was formerly at the head of the com- mittee on Indian expenditures, which was a post of labor, when accounts poured in for losses and claims growing out of the Creek War of 1836. The sen- ator from Henry has no traits of character on which we could seize for a picture. We never heard any thing to his prejudice, nor did we ever have the pleasure of listening to an extravagant eulogy on him. It seems to have been his quiet fortune, not to make enemies, nor to excite admiration in his friends. He appeared quite attentive to his public duties, and we have no doubt, was efficient to the utmost of his power. He has the most youthful look of any of the thirty-three senators, and is perhaps not exceeding thirty years of age, a democrat and planter. Mr. McCLANAHAN, (Of Morgan and Walker.) Has been some dozen years in public life. He ex- changed seats, from the lower to the upper House, about the time we did that of reporter, and conse- quently, it has not been in our power to know much 156 mr. m'connell. about him. He is regarded as a sensible member, and one that is often consulted on matters of which his great experience makes him cognizant. Occa- sionally he takes the floor, and always confines him- self to the question ; but as to his style or manner, we have seen so little, that we have no right to speak. We judge, however, that it is not far above mediocrity. He belongs to that great hive of North Alabama politicians, who swarm so plentifully on the first Monday in August every year, and devour all the public honey. Mr. McC. is a planter, marching towards fifty. Mr. McCONNELL, (Of Talladega,) Is by no means so tame or insipid a character, that nothing can be made of him in the way of sketch. We venture to say, what all who know him will sanction, that the fewest number of men rival the extraordinary qualities with which he is endowed. Of the many hundred whom it has been our fortune to meet, in various situations, public and private, we do not recollect that we have ever seen the match of the senator from Talladega. Nature cast him in one of her mightiest moulds, both as to capacity and spirit; and had a suitable direction been given to his pow- ers, it is difficult to conceive what distinction was too great for his mastery. Genius, to solve by intu- MR. m'connell. 157 ition, what would require the process of reasoning in others to grasp ; a strong, common sense application of facts ; an ardor of feeling which invested all his movements with the air of sincerity ; a quickness of perception that suffered nothing to escape, of which it was his interest to take advantage in argument ; and to crown all, a force of resolntion which no diffi- culty could thwart, and a physical courage, which no danger could appal. These are the elements on which we base the declaration that the senator from Talladega was so highly gifted by nature. That he has failed to do himself justice, and to realize the extent of his abilities, may be asserted by those who have the kindest feelings towards him, and who would be the last to do him an injury. We are much deceived in his frankness of character, if he is not the first to admit it. Whatever the case, he is not alone in the want of early opportunities for improve- ment, nor is he solitary in the neglect of those men- tal stores, which, under other auspices, might have led to the highest stations. But, we witnessed scenes on the floor, in which the senator from Talladega was chief actor, at the session of 1840, when political excitement was very high, that did him no very great credit. His wit was employed like the tomahawk of a savage, and with just about as much reflection or humanity. It was not clad in so fine a dress as to elude dull compre- hension, or to excite applause for its delicacy. There was a kind of meat axe ferocity in the style and tem- per of the senator, very little calculated to make him a model for the imitation of young public speak 14 # 153 MR. m'connell. ers, where fame, worth having, was to be acquired. Thiswas the course of the senator, as it appeared to us at that session. We take pleasure in saying, that a happy change has since taken place in the charac- ter of his efforts on the floor ; and we now regard Mr. McConnell, as particularly decorous and inter- esting in discussion. True, he has not shaken off entirely, a native bluntness and freedom of expres- sion which some tastes might regard as objectiona- ble ; but instead of offending, it really gives quaint- ness and vigor to his eccentricities. Whatever foibles the senator from Talladega may have had in times past, he now stands proudly erect, exhibiting the fruits of a generous nature, bent on the good of his fellow men. At the great temper- ance meeting in this city, about the first of the pre- sent year, when the last survivor of Napoleon's army in Egypt, the gallant Col. Lehmanowsky, addressed the public in favor of total abstinence, Mr. McCon- nell thrilled the audience by an allusion to his own course, and the bitter consequence of the fiery drink. On that occasion, he was truly eloquent ; there was a deep and sincere pathos, that filled every bosom with emotion. He proposed that a State Temper- ance Society be formed forthwith, which was done by acclamation. The President of the Senate took an active part in behalf of the measure, and many distinguished gentlemen in this city, as well as from a distance, .subscribed to it. In point of style, we much prefer anticipating what shall follow, than to describe the past, in the history of the senator from Talladega. We merely take his MR. m'vay. 159 own evidence for the remark, that he has just en~ tered a new field, where his faculties will have full scope ; and as he is in the prime of life, with a strong intellect, great knowledge of mankind, and a most agreeable address, we look forward to the time when, faithful to himself, he will be quite a public favorite, and highly useful to the community. He is a member of the legal profession, and a democrat. Mr. McVAY, (Of Lauderdale,) Is a venerable patriarch, distinguished for long and faithful public services. In June, 1837, when Gov, Clay resigned, Mr. McV., in virtue of his office as Pres- ident of the Senate, discharged the duties of the Exe- cutive until the inauguration of Gov. Bagby, in Nov. He was one of the signers of the State Constitution, in 1819, and has been much of the time since en- gaged in public life. Perhaps no man has enjoyed, in a higher degree, the confidence of the people. Amidst all the changes and distractions in political life, the virtuous senator from Lauderdale has main- tained unshaken ground. His snow white locks, and grave, honest physiognomy, are almost the first object in the Senate to draw the attention of the spectator. Since we have known him, within the last few years, he has not occupied the floor very frequently ; and what few times we have had the pleasure of listen- 160 MR. m'vay. ing to him, he was very brief. His remarks against the general ticket bill at the session of 1840, when he differed almost alone from his party in the Senate, were the most extended of any we ever heard him make. At other times, we have known him to ad- dress the Senate a few minutes, always with fine sense, and a spirit of candor which secured the hom- age of all, even if it failed to control the action of the body of which he was a member. If interrogated as to the abilities of the venerable senator from Lauderdale, we should answer that they are moderate. His enviable reputation has not been gained by the strength of his talents, but by a consistent, honorable, straight-forward line of con- duct in all things, political as well as private. He is affable to young men who seek his acquaintance, and converses with that familiar ease and frankness which is the ornament of age. Democrats and whigs alike honor him — all pay him that attention and deference so eminently due his character. He is a democrat of the Jefferson school, without assenting to all that the present boasted followers of that great statesman choose to proclaim on his authority. Mr. McVay is seventy years of age, and a planter of extensive means. MR. MOORES. 161 Mr. MOORES, (Of Marengo,) Came into the Senate at the last session, passing from the other branch, of which he had been a mem- ber several years, and where we gained our know- ledge of his abilities. He is alike profound and in- genious in debate ; possesses a fine delivery, and a great stock of language. On questions of minor im- portance he says nothing, unless they relate especially to his constituents ; but he makes it a rule to take part in discussions involving general principles ; and we can safely aver that he always gives trouble to his opponents, by the force of his reasoning, and the keenness of his thrusts. Indeed, the senator from Marengo is one of the strong holds of his party. His extensive reading of political works, documents and essays of every kind, and his fine powers of discrim- ination, enable him to furnish such a quantity of light on whatever topic may engage his thoughts, or may come before the Senate, that he is always fresh, cap- tivating and instructive. He has no small portion of irony, and is uniformly successful in exposing the weakness of an adversary's position. When the shrill voice of the senator from Maren- go is heard to address "Mr. President," there is gen- erally an anxious silence in the chamber, as all know something is to come a little out of the ordinary routine of speeches. He has great self-possession and tact ; his mental vision looks far ahead into the subject, and he threads along with a bold, independ- ent carelessness, as if he asked no favors. If he finds 162 MR. OLIVER. there is a pre-judgment in the majority which it is useless to address, he turns upon them a flaming catalogue of their political offences, and adds one more by way of finishing touch. This done, he threatens an appeal to the good sense and integrity of the people for redress of evils, at the ballot box. Though very caustic when there is necessity for it, Mr. Moores is circumspect and tender toward the feelings of those he encounters in debate. Should his own be disregarded, he is seldom unavenged by that needle-pointed satire which he knows so well how to employ. His mind appears always absorbed in reflection, though he is not wanting in cheerful and courteous sociability. Mr. Moores is a physi- cian, planter and whig, not exceeding forty years of age. Mr. OLIVER, (Of Montgomery,) Combines the double character of statesman and poet. His mind is a perfect laboratory of the exact sciences, a ware-room of historic lore, a temple for the graces, and a cabinet of political truths. With all these resources, it could not well be otherwise than that he should be unlike nine-tenths of the crowd, as they appear on the great stage of action. Such, in fact, he is ; and what seems almost incredible, the senator from Montgomery has an active, rich imagi- MR. OLIVER. 163 nation, capable of producing wonderful beauty, while his judgment is of the soundest and most prac- tical order. There is more of the lover of letters, and of the maxims of every day life, mellowed into consistency in Mr. Oliver, than in almost any gen- tleman of our acquaintance. He has the modes of thought and ripe diction of the scholar ; the warm, generous impulses of the poet ; the enlarged views of the statesman ; the cautious policy of the finan- cier, and the address of one who sets no common value on society. To these may be added, the oc- casional sternness of the philosopher, and the humor of the multitude. When such a contrariety of dis- positions and tastes unite in the same man, he is not of the ordinary mould. We do not venture to say that any of these exist in as much perfection in the senator from Montgomery, as if one trait of many had ruled the rest as their master. But, blended to- gether as they are, in no very subdued strength, the instance is remarkable. It is proper that we should say a few words of Mr. Oliver, as he appears on the floor of the Senate. — His delivery is rapid without confusion, though not by any means equal in effect to his matter. There is a deficiency of explosive force, a dryness about the lips, a hurried action of the breath, as if the press of words was so great that they would run riot unless pitched out on short notice. Yet, some passages come forth brilliantly enough to redeem all defects, and keep up the attention of the hearer. It is gen- erally the case, that studious men, like the senator from Montgomery, injure their voice by cramping 164 MR. PHI LL I PS. the chest; and we think from the volume and strength of Mr. Oliver's voice, it is capable of very line expression, if a tythe of the pains were taken with it that he bestows on the operations of his mind. Considering that he is not without ambition, as a public speaker, and possessing, as he does, the main essentials of oratory, it is singular that he has not modulated and trained his voice so as to give it great- er smoothness and harmony. His action is good, and his speeches are at all times interesting. In the body, of which he has long been a mem- ber, Mr. Oliver ranks deservedly high. He is firm as the hills in his political convictions ; nothing can shake him after he has investigated a question, and made up his mind. The opinions of others he sel- dom takes on trust ; he much prefers his own judg- ment, which rarely deceives him. He has so much suavity and kindness in his manners, that he is be- loved by all who know him, without distinction of party. Besides being a physician, he is a planter of large possessions, and is also a whig, not far from for- ty years of age. Mr. PHILLIPS, (Of Dallas,) Has established a high reputation for abilities. He has been several years in the Senate, (and previous- ly in the House of Representatives,) and has always MR. PHILLIPS. 165 maintained a prominent position among the mem- bers of either branch. In debate, he is solid, pene- trating and satirical, — playful, without coarseness, and warlike without passion. He has a most pro- voking coolness of manner when he comes down upon an adversary, and lacerates with as much gen- tleness as if soothing love's affliction. Nothing can be more annoying to an opponent, than the savage deliberation with which the senator from Dallas sets to work, cutting up by the roots, inch after inch, and step by step, the argument to which he replies. He has the faculty of exhibiting its bearing in such a bold, ludicrous light, that it seems very often as if the au- thor of it had been peculiarly unguarded, and would feign take back, if not ashamed to do so, what ap- pears so faulty. We have listened to Mr. Phillips as he took up every proposition in the speech of an opponent, and with his strong intellectual cleaver, hewed it to pieces, as if for amusement. We are clearly of opinion that the senator from Dallas is always on the lookout, in his seat, and that he makes it his special business to note down, if not on paper, at least in his memory, whatever slips, or strong points are made on the side opposed to him in discussion, of all which he makes the best use when it comes to his turn. No quantity of fustian can mislead his mind. The mariner's needle is not truer to the north pole, than the senator is to storm an unprotected part of his adversary's fortification, and what is equally true to demolish it. The speeches of Mr. Phillips have nothing of the florid cast of those of his Irish name-sake ; but in- 14 166 MR. REESE. finitely more argument. They are nervous, com- pact, and, many of them, unanswerable. The sena- tor from Dallas never manifests any fondness for fine talking ; but he has the strongest sort of fancy for co- gent reasoning — an exercise to which he is much addicted. His style is free from affectation ; his voice has power enough to he heard distinctly throughout the Senate chamber, and its tones have a quizzical mischief in them, which show he is more at home in drubbing an adversary with the cruel weapons we have before described, than in appeal- ing to the passions. Mr. Phillips is a member of the bar, also a planter and whig, not much short of forty years. Mr. REESE, (Of Chambers and Randolph,) Succeeded his brother, the Hon. George Reese, at the last session, from the senatorial district, and con- sequently it has not been in our power to hear him on the floor. He is a lawyer of first rate business habits, and very great intelligence. His published speeches are not deficient in composition or argu- ment ; and from appearances we feel authorized in saying that the young senator from Chambers, should he think proper to continue in public life, and his wishes should be endorsed by his constituents, will attain quite a distinguished rank among the law- MR. RODGERS. 167 makers of the State. His address is that of an ac- complished gentlemen ; he is a whig. Mr. RODGERS, (Of Lawrence,) Is by far the most unpromising and hopeless subject that has come under review during these sketches. It is very difficult to hunt up bright spots in his legis- lative character. Of intellect, he has no surplus for a neighbor short of that article. If the senator from Lawrence has ever been suspected of possessing more than would enable him to squeeze through the crowd, without remark, we are not aware of it. From the specimens we have seen, or rather from the want of specimens, we reluctantly conclude that he has no burthen of the kind to press on his thick, brawny shoulders. At the session of 1840, he never opened his lips in his place, that we ever knew, except to vote, and even in that difficulty he was aided by the example of a very business-like senator, several names higher on the roll than his own. Thus circumstanced, the senator from Lawrence cannot be spun, by any process of description, into a character fit to adorn the annals of the republic. It is probable that if he had the selection of a place in which his portrait should be exhibited, he would choose a pastry-cook-shop, for reasons quite apparent to all who have seen his figure, and noted his indif- 168 MR. RODGERS. ference to every thing like mental exertion. There is, however, one redeeming trait in Mr. Rodgers. — While other senators were understood to be devis- ing plans to advance their political parties, and per- haps encroaching on the hours of rest to mature them, he was never accused, directly nor indirectly, nor even suspected, of originating any scheme of the kind. If the senator from Lawrence lost no sleep in hatching party tactics, that is no reason why it should be inferred that he slept more than other public ser- vants. Nothing can be less complimentary than to say of a grave and potent senator, that he passes too much of his time in the arms of Morpheus. From what we have said, it is unnecessary to assure our readers, that the senator from Lawrence has no fellow feeling for the learned professions, nor are we certain that he gives himself much trouble about any thing, except what will sustain his pon- derous frame for the benefit of his country, when soldiers are needed, or when ramparts of cotton bags, or other bulky materials, have to be thrown up sud- denly to resist cannon shot. In such an emergency, the senator from Lawrence would be a most valua- ble acquisition ; at other times, he would find his level with ordinary men, where we think proper to leave him, adding the only title of which he is proud, but which he has never deigned to investigate, that of democrat. His age is that of a man in mature life. MR. ROSS. 169 Mr. ROSS, (Of Wilcox,) Is an experienced senator, of plain, unpretending, yet sound abilities. He is very diligent and system- atic in the discharge of his public duties. In fact, it seems that he has no other use for time, during the business hours of the Senate, but to labor for the general good. This he does to the utmost of his opportunity and power. He seldom takes the floor ; and when he thinks proper to do so, he comes di- rectly to the point, and resumes his seat. His use- fulness as a committee man is very great. What- ever subject undergoes his scrutiny, and receives his sanction in committee, has much weight with his brother senators, as well it should. The fact that Mr. Ross mingles little, if any, in discussion, renders it impossible that we should grat- ify the laudable curiosity of our readers, to know how strong minded, practical men communicate their views to a public assembly, without the usual orna- ments. Besides his fine intellect, it is said that Mr. Ross has an excellent fund of humor on which he occasionally draws for the entertainment of the so- cial circle. He is a planter and whig, about forty- five years of age-. 14' 170 MR. THORNTON. Mr. THORNTON, (Of Greene,) Made his debut in the Senate in 1840. No citizen of the State is better known, and none more highly esteemed, regardless of party distinctions. He set- tled in Alabama, in 1823. At a future time he was elected to the Supreme Court Bench, which station he afterwards resigned, and resumed the practice of his profession, which has always been extensive. From the time Mr. Thornton settled in this State, twenty years ago, from Kentucky, he resided at Huntsville until about 1836, when he removed to the city of Mobile, and after an active and successful professional career there, he became a citizen of the county of Greene. There is, in the character of Mr. Thornton, what may be called true greatness. His talents are con- fessedly of the highest order, well disciplined, and equal to any occasion. As a speaker he is justly distinguished for clear, argumentative and even splendid eloquence, if the finest displays of language, passion and judgment may be said to amount to such. There is a method, in his manner of laying down his premises, and deducing conclusions from them, that never fails to strike the hearer with force. From the most complex and disputed theory, to the sim- plest maxim of life, the senator passes with the utmost ease and effect. But we have frequently thought he showed to most advantage when the common wants and necessities of men were involved in the subject. The overflowing kindness of his nature; the warm, MR. THORNTON. 171 gushing benevolence of his heart, and his strong sympathies, were then brought into full action. He would set out, in his description, a young man beating his way into life, surrounded with domestic ties. His upright and industrious habits had enabled him to procure a little estate, in anticipation of the profits out of which he was to pay for it by his labor. The proceeds went faithfully to contract, until prices de- clined, and then came his nun. Mr. Thornton con- tended that as the action of government had run up the value of property, and tempted men into trade upon the most honorable and rational calculations of safety, it was the bounden duty of government to mitigate the evils of revulsion to the extent of its power. On this subject we have heard him make some powerful arguments and almost irresistible ap- peals. Cold and lifeless must be the heart of that man who can listen to the impassioned and masterly strains of Mr. Thornton's eloquence on such a theme, without being touched and improved. It is not the surpassing witchery of style that produces the inter- est ; but it is the goodness of the man, his unaffected sincerity, that gives the charm. The striking, honest, intellectual countenance of Mr. Thornton, beaming with good will towards all mankind, affords a just index to his character on first sight. He abhors oppression in every shape ; the idea that one man, because he has money, shall grind another to the dust, excites his indignation. The purest principles of justice, fairness and honor be- tween man and man, are those only he ever practised himself, and no other find in him an advocate. His 172 MR. TOULMIX. style of speaking, as it respects delivery, is good ; few men in the State have better. For classic taste, and facility of language, he is among the first. We do not know that he has a personal enemy ; at least we never heard of one. His deportment is cour- teous and engaging ; his disposition free from severi- ty, and his whole life an unbroken series of upright acts. It is impossible that such a man could be oth- erwise than beloved wherever he is known. Mr. Thornton is probably forty-five years of age, and has a fresh, healthy appearance. He is a whig. Mr. TOULMXN, (Of Mobile,) Has been many years in the Senate. He is a sound headed, patient and practical man, without the least symptom of genius or imagination. His reports from committee are usually short, and cover as much ground as will make the question referred, intelligi- ble, and no more. As a speaker, he is smooth, calm and common place, though he always presents facts and reasons with distinctness. He is a very candid, grave senator, who has as little disposition to con- sume time in humorous sallies as any gentleman on the floor. Devoted to public business, his main ob- ject is to despatch it in short time, and return home. As a gentleman, Mr. Toulmin enjoys universal re- spect and confidence, His statement of any matter MR. WALKER. 173 of fact are relied upon by all without scruple. He is a democrat and planter, about forty-seven years of affe. Mr. WALKER, (Of Benton,) Was transferred from the other end of the Capitol at the last election. There we gained our impres- sions of him. He occupied his share of time, and perhaps a great deal more, in discussion, without establishing a high character for abilities or elo- quence. Indeed, the senator from Benton was noto- riously deficient in the qualities necessary to raise a man to great elevation. He honestly believed him- self competent to manage any question ; and trust- ing this idea, he was fond of making attempts. That he succeeded admirably, in his own view, was clear; that he wofully missed the mark, in the opinion of others, was equally true. Here was a disparity of judgment on which we dwell no longer than to state it. The senator from Benton never took the floor five minutes, without inspiring dread in his fellow mem- bers, lest he should prove tedious, as they well knew he would be uninteresting. Occasionally he uttered some good things almost like argument ; never any thing like eloquence. His mental vision never wan- ders far, nor does it discriminate closely within its 174 MR. WALTHALL. orbit. The particular manifestations of character to which we refer, were those in the lower House ; how he sustains himself, if better, in the Senate, we are not informed. He is a democrat and lawyer, very little over thirty years of age. Mr. WALTHALL, (Of Perry,) If not a perfectly new senator, has been one term at least out of service. He took his seat last winter, and gained considerable notoriety by the introduc- tion of his resolution to lay the State off into Con- gressional Districts, on the white basis. It was not our good fortune to hear the talented senator in de- bate during the session. Report speaks highly of him, not only for abilities and patriotism, but for the purest honor. We believe the journals of the legis- lature show that he has been a member many years ago, and perhaps for a long period. He is a demo- crat, and extensive planter, not far from fifty years of age. MR. W ATKINS. MR. WATROUS. 175 Mr. WATKINS, (Of Monroe and Conecuh,) Is a physician and democrat. He came into the Senate last winter. Of his abilities in discussion, if he indulges at all that way, we can say nothing, as we had no chance of attending the Senate during the session. We understand that Mr. Watkins is a great admirer of the senator from Limestone, who as President, has great influence in that body. From the intelligence of the senator from Monroe, there can be no necessity for his relying too far upon any leader ; for he is quite capable of judging and acting for himself. We should take Mr. Watkins to be over forty years of age. Mr. WATROUS, (Of Shelby and Bibb,) Belongs to the legal profession, and has been many years in the Senate, where he has always maintained a high standing. We have not heard him speak except a few words, since 1840. At that session his health was so feeble that he abstained from taking much part in debate. What little we had the pleasure of listening to from the senator, impressed us with a high opinion of his abilities, which nothing has since diminished. He has a distinct, pleasant delivery, and commands the 176 MR. WILSON, OF FAYETTE. respect of all parties for his urbanity and frankness. In politics he is a thorough whig, and we understand has been very successful in his profession. Mr. W. is close upon forty- two years of age. Mr. WILSON, (Of Fayette and Marion,) Is said to be a lawyer, a fact we never suspected un- til so informed after the late adjournment. Certain- ly his profession would never have acquired such fame for talking, had all its members kept their tongues at rest, like the senator from Fayette. Whether he was silent as a mark of wisdom to gain credit for what he could not hope if he engaged in discussion ; or whether he said nothing because no ideas knocked at the door of his mouth for liberty, is what we are not prepared to say. We can have an opinion, without expressing it. So far as we know, the senator is talented, and he may be the reverse of the common infirmity, of trying to pass for more than one is worth ; and that he strenuously endeavors to conceal his merits. If so, we congratulate him upon the success of his experiment. He belongs to the political majority, and appears to be of middle age. MR. WILSON, OF JACKSON. 177 Mr. WILSON, (Of Jackson,) Is by , 10 means \ain or am >gant in his senat < >rial pre- tensions. So far from it, he is exceedingly modest ; and when he *eeks the floor, lie retains it no longer than to state facts, seldom to make an argument. There is the appearance of sincerity and good sense in most that falls from his lips. He ranks higher for diligence than any other quality, or at least he did at the session of 1640, when we reported in the Senate. Since then, we have no knowledge of the progress he has made in the science of legislation, or the art of public speaking. As a courteous gentleman, with- out any of the borrowed ornaments of reading, he is much respected. Last on the Roll, though not the least in worth, of his brother senators, we take our leave of him by stating that he is a planter, in the vigor of life. His politics are fixed beyond cavil, by the county he represents. CONCLUDING REMARK. In writing the sketches of legislative character, now completed, which first appeared weekly in the Monitor since the 1st of March, we have been actua- ted by no unkindness toward any member. Where we could safely bestow praise, it has not been with- held ; and whatever sarcasm or pleasantry we may have indulged, in relation to individual peculiarities, there has been nothing coarse or offensive in our re- marks. In a public body, consisting of one hundred and thirty-three members, wisely chosen without regard to classes in the community, it is not to be supposed that every one can figure as an eloquent statesman. We have endeavored to render justice to all. The idea of preparing these sketches never occurred to us until after the adjournment, and of course we have written them altogether from memo- ry. We made no inquiry except as to the pursuits of members. Their respective ages are merely con- jecture ; perhaps some are rather too old, and others younger than they really are. The question of age, however, is of no moment, as we presume it jeopards neither fame nor happiness.