The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-09-10
STANTDN-ESMS.
Correspondence of the Cambridge Press
PITrSBURGu. Auuust 1863

/ - :
PITTsBURGm, August, 1865
Col Israel Painter, of Westmoreland
county, Pa, is one Of the old siyle politi>
clans of that State, sound, reliable and
truthful. He was Democrat when
Stanton was Democrat, and being a
man of immense estates aud a particular
friend of the ex minister, lie employed hIm
as counsel, especially in ali cases that re-
qured the artful oGeing Of the law Col. {
Painter, however, did not change his /
colors when Stanton did still lie had a
high regard for his attainments till the
following incident occurred, which we
give substantially in his own language
''Eou see,'' said he, .'that having large
contracts with the government, 1 was
brought constantly in contact with Stan-
ton, and besides being personal friend,
was admitted 10 his sanctum at all hours,
without the necessary forms of address.
One morning, happening 10 be with him
before the regular office hours, | thought
L would wait and see his style of doing
business At . O'Clock the word was
given and the messenger brought in three
cards, which Stanton took. and in his
rough manner sang out, "admit them -
The first man was very modest look,
ing individual. He approached Stanton's
desk as though he recognized the awful
presence, and in very qniel mariner said,
Mr. Stanton, have letter for you''
No time to read letters was the surly
reDIy
The gentleman turned to leave, merely
remarking, "Mr. Stanton, that letter is
from Secretary Seward, and | think con-
tains matters of interest ts your depart
ment."
Stanton Immediately seized the letter,
tore open the envelope and saw the sigma
ture at the bottom. ''Stop, sir" said he,
''this is important"
The gentleman merely turre on his
/ heel with the remark, My room is No.
40, Wizards Hotel, Sir, if you have any
communication to make, make il there"
Number two then approached, if any~
! thing moro modest Than number one
''AIr- Stanton, nly naae Is Wood. Of
the firm of Wood, Morrell G Co., Cams
bria Iron Works; | have called to see if
the government requires any railroad iron
at the present time
''What do you ask for your iron ~
1925 per ton"
"Ges, you are one of those id
suckers that want to plunder the public
10, we do not want your iron yCu ought
to be pat in the old capitol"
''Thank you, sir, l am very happy to
know that our serTices are not wanted
wished to give the government the first
chance our engagements are more than a
year and half ahead With this re-
mark he turned to 90, when Stanton re-
membered that he had dispatch on lis
desk from Rosecrans asking for $4,000
tons of railroad iron Immediately.
''Stop," said he, 81 find have an or
der.''
my room is No. 80 Wizards Hotel ;
any orders you wish to give can be sent
there"
Number three then approached him
modestly, not suffering in comparison with
the former gentlemen. He was in the
undress uniform of Colonel
Approaching Stanton, he said: "Sir.
am the Colonel of the 57th Indiana,
and l have called TO ascertain why that
regiment was mustered out of service
, "a set of id cowardly rascals,' was
, the brutal reply; ''they were curse to
, the country, and there are about hundred
thousand more that ought to be home"
On hearing this reply of the Indians
t regiment, says Col Painter, looked up
{ The Colonel was a small man, but thert
was that IN his eye and in the nervous
twitching of his fingers that BODIED evil t,
: Stanton With firm and steady step anJ
flashing eye he approached Stanton tt
within arms length.
''Sir," said he, 4 am the Colonel O
that regiment left here l 200 strong
have been in the service three years
that regiment has led three forIorn hopes
and there are but 24O left to tell the sa,
tale of their comrades and SIR" shakin,
his fist in Stantons face, 81 allow n
man to speak derogatory of that regiment
Retrac! what you have said, or by Cd
either you or | leave this room a dea,
man"
Stanton quailed-he dropped in his seat
, nervously overhauled file of papers AM
; finally came to the one, on the authorit,
! of which he had summarily ordered tn,
mastering out of service of as gallant
regiment as ever fought in the field. Th
, endorsement and canse of the act wa
through petty, contemplate politician
. whose favor Stanton wanted. 1t is need
less to say the order was at once revoked
4 After Witnessing these three cases, say
: Col. Painter, l returned to my hotel, dis
;, gusted, and sat down and wrote a note t
Stanton, in which l stated that wl:ateve
, nv Opinion of his leoaI utilities were h
was rot fit to remain Secretary of War
and [ advised him for the good of hi
= country 10 resign. +.
W,,-rrr-Rndical vannhnnds. idler