History of Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana, Part 38

Author: Sulgrove, Berry R. (Berry Robinson), 1828-1890
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 942

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in the army, was nominated in his place, but Mr. Porter did most of the canvassing for him.

While in Congress, Mr. Porter was a member of the Judiciary Committee for his entire term of ser- vice. In this capacity he developed great ability as a lawyer, and assisted in drawing the important law reports for that committee during his term of service.

He made a report on the liability of railroads which had received land-grants to transport United States troops and war material free of charge. This report attracted a good deal of attention, and, upon motion of Elihu B. Washburne, was republished at the next session of Congress as a very important contribution to anti-monopoly literature. That re- port took the ground that the provision in the land- grant aets should be and ought to be enforced. Be- fore that time the monopolies had been having their own way, having seemed to control both Congress and the executive; but after Mr. Porter's report they were compelled to transport troops and muni- tions of war free. The consequence was that the revenues of the government were largely increased from this source. Like most young members, he made a speech in favor of the abolition of the frank- ing privilege. He was always on the side of the people. In the notable contest relative to the Isth- mus of Chiriqui, Mr. Porter took sides against the scheme, and antagonized Gen. Dan Sickles, who was one of its noted advocates. Another of Mr. Porter's notable speeches was on the general subject of the war, and condemning all compromise schemes. Mr. Porter retired from congressional life because he had a young and growing family, and wisely thought that he ought not to sacrifice his future in political life, but should return to the profession of the law, and endeavor to build up liis fortune. This he did, and in his professional career he was eminently sue- cessful.

Mr. Porter was put in nomination before the con- vention of 1876 as a candidate for Governor of In- diana, but he caused a letter to be read declining to allow his name to be used. Notwithstanding his declaration, however, he received many votes in the convention. From the time he left Congress he devoted himself assiduously to his profession, although

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he nearly always took some part in State political campaigns. He continued his practice until he was very unexpectedly invited, in 1881, to accept the appointment of First Comptroller of the United States Treasury. This appointment was tendered him by Secretary Sherman, who knew his position as a lawyer in Indiana, and who desired a competent person to fill the place. The duties of First Comp- troller of the Treasury are not generally understood. They are very important, and are entirely judicial. It is the one office in the government from whose decisions there is no appeal. The Secretary of the Treasury cannot annul decisions of the First Comp- troller. The word of the First Comptroller of the Treasury is the final authority on all constructions of law and interpretations of statutes relating to the vast disbursements of the treasury. To this office Mr. Porter was summoned without notice by the Secretary of the Treasury, and he occupied it with distinguished ability. It is a position which requires great knowledge of the law and unimpeached in- tegrity.

From this position he was called by the convention . of June 17, 1880, to represent his party as the candidate for Governor of the State. As has been the case with every office which he has held, this honor has come to him unsought. The campaign was made in the spirit of his dispatch of acceptance, in which he said, ---

" The contest will be a strenuous one, but if there is not one Republican who feels that he is too humble to do something for the cause, and all will work earnestly and with good cheer, we shall win the field. Let us have very many township and school- house meetings and few great conventions, and let every man feel that what is greatly worth having is greatly worth working for."

He was elected in October, 1880, over Franklin Landers, the Democratic nominee, by a majority of six thousand nine hundred and fifty-three,-about two thousand ahead of the ticket.

The administration of Governor Porter thus far has been one of the most faithful, honest, and eco- nomical which has ever characterized the history of Indiana. There are few men in public life who are

purer in private character. Possessing an almost unlimited fund of anecdote, it is always free from indelicate or vulgar utterance.

Governor Porter is by nature of a conservative ·temperament, but it is a conservatism that comports well with all his other characteristics, and has in it nothing suggestive of timidity. It is that mental poise which causes him to thoroughly investigate all questions before taking action upon them.

These qualities have been brought with effect to the discharge of the duties of Governor, noticeably in the veto messages sent by hitu to the Assemblies of 1881 and 1883, which, had not a veto intercepted the passage of bills, would not only needlessly have caused the expenditure of large amounts of money, but, in at least one instance, would have invaded the constitutional guaranty of personal security. In no instance, except upon purely party questions, has a bill been reconsidered by the Legislature after his veto. The same care has been bestowed upon the consideration of public accounts, and in whatever degree authority to control public expenditures is vested in the Governor he has used it, though unostentatiously, in the interest of economy.

. Those in whom the pardoning power has been reposed unite in saying that no duty which devolves upon a Governor brings with it so great a burden of responsibility. Governor Porter has made it a rule to investigate each application for pardon through independent sources, and if he has issued pardons sparingly, it has been because the demands of justice outweighed the promptings of a warm sympathy. His agreeable manner would lead one to think that he could be easily influenced, but, though slow to express an opinion on a subject presented for his consideration, when once he makes use of his char- acteristic expression, " My mind is made up," his decision is irrevocable. His idea of right and his sense of responsibility are the measure of his firm- ness. His habit of thoroughness was never more felicitously rewarded than in the prompt and happy manner in which it has enabled him to respond to invitations of the various conventions,-agricultural, mechanical, industrial, educational, and religious,- which have all learned to expect a recognition from

Western Augt

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the head of the State. It reflects eredit upon the choice of the people that some of these brief addresses have been widely eopied.

Among literary men the quality of equanimity is frequently attainable, but among men in publie life it is as rare. It need not mean, as it does in the minds of some, the neutralization of one salient eharacter- istic by another, but rather the thorough blending of all in one symmetrical personality. This quality, with an habitual cheerfulness, frankness, and courtesy, is Governor Porter's in a strong degree.

He has brought to the discharge of the duties of Governor a fuller measure of resourees than even his most zealous supporters had expected.

Governor Porter was married in 1847 to Miss M. V. Brown, a lady of rare domestie virtues, a daughter of Hiram Brown, Esq., one of the early noted lawyers of Indianapolis. Five of their children are living. She died in November, 1875. In January, 1881, just before his inauguration as Governor, he was married to Miss Cornelia Stone, of Cuba, New York, a lady of fine education and attainments, whose kindly feelings and refinement have won for her the regard of all who know her.

Few men in publie life are more happily situated than Governer Porter. He has a sufficient eom- peteney to be independent of the vicissitudes of polities ; he enjoys the influences of a beautiful home life and the thorough friendship of the people.

HON. JOHN CAVEN .- In presenting to the readers of the History of Marion County this sketch of the life, character, and public acts of Hon. John Caven, of Indianapolis, we shall be required to introduce incidents connected with the peace and prosperity of the capital city of Indiana of the highest importance. The necessity for referring to sueh occurrences will at onee be conceded when our readers are informed that the subject of this sketeh held the important office of mayor for five terms, making in all ten years that he performed the duties of chief magistrate of the largest inland eity on the continent. When a citizen is deemed worthy of great public trusts, and in their execution evinces qualities of head and heart which shed lustre upon his name and win the ap- proval of the people, it is not surprising that there

is a popular demand for full knowledge of all the faets relating to his career, parentage, birth, early advantages and surroundings, employments and ambi- tions. The desire for such information is eminently praiseworthy. It enables society, and especially the students of forees and factors which operate in the line of success and eminence, to arrive at eorreet conclusions, and to establish theories of life, its obli- gations and possibilities, of the highest advantage to reflecting people. The subject of this sketeh is the descendant of Scotch-Irish and English-Seoteh pa- rentage, and was born in the State of Pennsylvania, Alleghany County, April 12, 1824, and is therefore fifty-nine years of age. His father, William Caven, was of Seoteh-Irish lineage, and his mother, Jane (Longhead) Caven, of English-Seotch descent. Young Caven did not inherit wealth, nor any of the advantages which wealth is supposed to confer ; but he did inherit what was far better, a healthy body and a healthy mind. He inherited a reverenee for the good, the beautiful, and the true, and upon that foundation has ereeted a character symmetrical in outline, embodying the grandeur of stern integrity, devotion to honest conviction, and fidelity to trusts which knows no wavering, no matter what may be the character of the influences and obstacles thrown in his way. Generous in judgments, cautious in opinion, indefatigable in purpose, John Caven is esteemed in the councils of good men a chevalier sans peur et sans reproche. Such is the exalted position Mayor Caven occupies in Indianapolis. And if we are asked, What were his youthful surround- ings ? the reply is that they were such as to develop the best traits of his intellectual and physical organ- ism,-he was required to work. His avocations brought him in direct contact with the hardy chil- dren of toil, and he has a right to be known as a " self-made man." His early educational advantages were limited. He had few books, and only inferior school-teachers, but what he learned was thoroughly learned, and as his years increased his thirst for knowledge became more intense, until at last the perfection, grace, and beauty of his public expres- sions, whether oral or documentary, naturally led to the conelusion that some renowned university was his

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alma mater, when in fact his diplomas tell of studies in salt-works, in coal-mines, and at the oars of flat- boats.

At school he mastered the old English Reader and Daboll's Arithmetie, and with such a foundation for an edneation young Caven went forth to master all the required branches of an English education to prepare him to enter the legal profession. He came to Indianapolis in 1845, and in 1847, at the age of twenty-three, entered the law-office of Smith & Yandes, where he mastered the intricacies of the law, and in due time took his rightful place in a bar dis- tingnished for learning and ability. Such an ex- ample of pluck and perseverance, if properly studied by the youth of Indiana, cannot fail to be productive of results of incalculable benefit to the State. With- out wealth or influential friends, with an education limited to the rudiments, we see a young man steadily progressing in the right direction, overeoming ob- stacles, growing in knowledge and the strength which knowledge confers, growing in the esteem and confi- dence of citizens capable of appreciating good char- acter and manly ambition, until he stands the recog- nized peer of the best. In 1863, at the age of thirty- nine, the subject of this sketch was elected mayor of Indianapolis withont opposition. His administration was of a character to win universal approval, and in 1865 he was again elected without opposition. Dur- ing the period embraced in these two terms-four ycars-Indianapolis was rapidly developing her com- manding advantages as a commercial and manufac- turing city, and Mayor Caven was contributing by his ability and influence to give impetus to her prog- ress. In 1868 the people of Indianapolis elected Mr. Caven to the State Senate for four years. In that body he maintained the high estimate his constitu- ents had placed upon his abilities, and his recorded votes and speeches attest his statesmanship and breadth of views upon all matters touching political, educational, and humanitarian subjects. He voted for the Fifteenth Amendment, and earnestly advo- cated the establishment of schools for colored chil- dren. In 1875, Mr. Caven was again clected mayor of Indianapolis, and the two terms following he suc- ceeded himself in occupying the office, having been

re-elected in 1877 and 1879. Such facts of history are monumental. They bear the highest testimony possible to the ability and integrity of Mr. Caven, as also to the fidelity which distinguished his publie career. It is in the fulfillment of the varied duties devolving upon him as chief magistrate of Indian- apolis that he has specially endeared himself to the people. We should prove entirely unworthy of the trust confided to us if, in writing a sketch of the public service and private virtues of John Caven, we should omit to bring into the boldest prominence his ceaseless labors, intelligent counsel, unflagging energy, and prudent zeal in advancing the growth of the city in population, wealth, and business enterprises. In the mere routine work of the office of mayor he met every requirement of a just and humane magistrate, and his efforts to reform the wayward who were brought before him will forever remain fadeless cre- dentials of his faith in human nature and moral suasion ; but in the discussion of economic prob- lems in connection with the business expansion of the city his views are eminently conclusive of his power to grasp questions of the greatest gravity. As a business enterprise Indianapolis has just cause for gratulation over the building of the Belt Railroad and the establishment of the Union Stock-Yards, and it is no disparagement of others to place the credit of originating those great enterprises where it rightfully belongs. They are commemorative of business forecast, and will increase in importance with the lapse of years. This credit is justly due to Hon. John Caven, the subject of this sketch. An account of the initial steps taken by Mayor Caven to inaugurate the Belt Road and stock-yard enterprise was published in a city paper May 18, 1881. It is historical, and well deserving a place in any sketch of his life and public services, and is as follows :

" One day in September, 1875, I walked around the old abandoned embankment west of White River, and from the Vandalia Road to the river I walked all the way through weeds higher than my head, pushing them aside with my hands. I took off my 'boots and waded White River, not far from the pres- ent Belt Road bridge, and, as the water was deep, I got my clothes wet. Climbing over to the partially-

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built abutment on the east bank to dry, I sat there for two hours considering the question of whether the great work of a road around this city could be put in motion. It would combine all the benefits sought, not only furnish work for our laboring pop- ulation during the savage year of 1876, or at furthest 1877, but also relieve our streets. It would also bring here an immense cattle business and lay down a great taxable property. As I looked over that alınost desert-looking river bottom, the outlook for moving in the matter to furnish bread to hungry people a year or two anyway was gloomy, but I then and there determined that this was the only project that could accomplish the result, and resolved to make the effort and sce what will and a good purpose could do. Having got somewhat tired out, I put on my boots and started home, and commenced au in- vestigation of the subject of bread-riots and what makes cities, -what had made great cities. I exam- ined a great deal of history on the subject of what had made other cities,-location, natural advantages, accidents, minerals, manufactures, and what enter- prise and capital had done, and then tried to apply these principles to the city of Indianapolis. What were our natural advantages, and how might capital and enterprise develop them, and what could be done to make Indianapolis a great city, and during the winter of 1875 I proposed the Belt Road mes- sage, and read it in Council on July 17, 1876. It was published in Tuesday's morning papers, and on Thursday morning I was holding court and noticed two men sitting back among the audience for some time. After a while they came forward and asked if they could speak with me a few minutes. I sus- pended hearing a cause to hear what they had to say. One of them said he was president of the stock- yards at Louisville, and had read the Belt Road mes- sage and at once started for Indianapolis, as he re- garded it the best location for stock-yards in the country, and he wished to come here and engage in the business. I told them we wanted the enterprise very much, and asked them if they had the means to build, and they said they had not, but thought perhaps the city would aid them. I told them the city would not aid in money, but suggested the idea

of the exchange of bonds, the plan which was adopted and carried out. One of these men was Horace Scott and the other Mr. Downing, the pres- ent superintendent of the stock-yards. A company was formed and the necessary steps taken to carry out the enterprise, but met with great opposition." Such was the beginning of an enterprise which, while it is making its owners rich, is adding indefi- nitely to the welfare of the city.

On Monday, July 17, 1876, Mr. Caven, then mayor of the city, presented to the Common Council of the city a masterly paper relating to the local ad- vantages of Indianapolis as a manufacturing centre. It is worthy of being known as a " State Paper." It discusses the question of fuel with a breadth of thought, argument, and illustration worthy of the most profound consideration. It is a paper entitled to the dignity of "standard authority," and should be so regarded by merchants, manufacturers, and business men generally. Indeed, we regard it of so much importance, as illustrative of the compact reas- oning powers of its author, that, if our space per- mitted, we should reproduce it entire.

In what we have said Mr. Caven is given an advanced position as a political economist, as a stu- dent chiefly of utilitarian enterprises. To this posi- tion he is entitled by every consideration of simple justice to his eminent thought attainments. But the people of Indianapolis have found him to be remark- able in other regards than those which we have re- corded. We refer particularly to his masterly control over men in times of public peril. In the year 1877 a wave of extreme danger rolled over the land. Mayor Caven was not taken by surprise. He had not been unobservant of coming events, nor had he misinter- preted the dark shadows which betokened their com- ing, and his early and urgent advocacy of the Belt Road and stock-yard undertaking was in part, at least, the result of his prescience, as the building of the road would be the means of giving idle men work when other means of employment failed. It is not required to more than recall to mind the labor strike which occurred in 1877, and the terrible scenes enacted in certain localities. When the strike reached Indianapolis there was excitement, alarm,

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and danger. Fortunately Mayor Caven was equal to the occasion. He was calm, self-possessed, and vigilant. He understood human nature, and fortu- nately comprehended the human nature of working- men,-he had been a workingman himself. He believed in suasion rather than shot-guns; he did not adopt the policy of intimidation ; he discarded rash measures. He made no compromises with riot- ers, but with lofty courage he pointed out the sad consequences which must follow violations of the law, and appealed to the strikers, as men and as citizens interested in the order and peace of the community, to refrain from acts of rapine. He sought work for the idle; he provided bread for the hungry. The strikers saw in Mayor Caven a stern, courageous magistrate, devoid of fear, determined to do his duty at all hazards; but they also saw in Mayor Caven their friend and a wise counselor. When he spoke they listened, and a terrible calamity was therefore averted, and after a few days of excitement and unrest the peril vanished, not a life was sacrificed, not a person was injured, not a dollar's worth of property was destroyed, and the good name and fair fame of Indianapolis was maintained. Nor was this all : Indianapolis in June, 1877, was threatened with a bread-riot. Public meetings were held and arrange- ments made for a street demonstration. The riot spirit was abroad, and danger was imminent. A vast concourse of people had assembled in the State- House ground,-idle men and hungry men. There was excitement ; passion was getting the better of judgment. Here again the faet was demonstrated that Mayor Caven was the right man in the right place. His earnest words stilled the tempest. Men ready for acts of violence gave pledges to abandon plans which were likely to result in public calamities. But Mayor Caven did not abandon the hungry peo- ple when they had determined to bear their sufferings like law-abiding citizens. He at onee proceeded to relieve their immediate necessities. The circum-

stances surrounding that meeting on the 6th of June, 1877, are historic, and we should regard this sketch of Mayor Caven imperfeet if his connection with it was omitted. There are circumstances which bring into bold relief certain elements of character of

the greatest valuc. Again we quote the account as published at the time. The meeting having elosed, Mayor Caven gave an account of further steps to restore quiet, as follows :

"I requested those who were willing to pledge themselves to preserve the peace and obey my orders in putting down any disturbanees to hold up the right hand, and every hand went up. There were men there who, together with their families, had not tasted food for two days, and I told them they should uot go to bed hungry that night, and invited the crowd to go with me, and we first went over to Simpson's bakery, south from the State-House. He happened to have a large quantity of bread on hand. I commenced handing out six loaves to each one as the hungry erowd passed by, and the supply was soon all gone. We then went to Taggart's, on South Meridian Street, but could not obtain admission, and from there to Bryce's bakery, on South Street, the hungry crowd following. Mr. Bryce was in bed, but got up when I told him what I wanted, and I directed the crowd to pass the door. Mr. Bryce handed me the loaves, and I handed them to the meu, giving six loaves to each ; but as the pile be- came smaller we'reduced the number to five, and then to four and three, and then to two, and I in- vited those who only received two and three to wait, and if we could give them more we would ; and they came again, and we gave them all the bread in the bakery, and succeeded in supplying them all. As soon as I had paid Mr. Bryce his bill I went out in the street, and where a few minutes before was that hungry crowd was as still as the grave, not a human being in sight. They had left for home as quickly as supplied, and the only persons were Mr. Dannis Greene and myself. At the State-House I told the men to go to the Beatty farm in the morning and they would find work. About 2 P.M. next day I went there, and about three hundred men were at work, many of them the hungry men of the night before, and it seemed as if the Belt Road, for which we had so labored to furnish work to the hungry, had thus providentially come to the rescue to the very day, almost to the very hour, of our extreme necessity. A day later and doors would have been

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History of Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana, Part 38

Author: Sulgrove, Berry R. (Berry Robinson), 1828-1890 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 942

Author: Sulgrove, Berry R. (Berry Robinson), 1828-1890
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 942