Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-04-21
sIr. summers Committee.
A REMINIscENcE BY "pERLEY."

Nhs@hh HOaAttoh uuQ AoI SOsA0
years preceding been filled by the imps-
rious James M. Mason of Virginia.
When the Senate met for executive busi-
ness, on the 4th o. March, the republic
cans found themselves in majority, al
though the attendance Of senators was
email, because of the previous melo-dra-
matte withdrawal Of Jefferson Davis and
portion of his followers, leaving few
as rear guard to skirmish with the VIC
tors. And by this turn of the political
wheel, Mr.. Sumner, who had been at the
very foot of the committee on foreign re-
lations, was made its head, and conse-
quently the recognized leader of the SEN
ate. Mr.. Summer, on learning that he
was to be chairman of the committee on
foreign relations, kindly proposed to ap-
point me clerk to the committee, hay-
ing during the preceding Congress been
clerk of the House committee on foreign
affairs, of which Gov. Tom Corwin was
chairman. But before making the ap-
pointment, he wished me ascertain wheth-
er it would be acceptable to Messrs.
Breckenridge, Douglass and Polk, the
democratic members. My personal re-
lations with Messrs. Breckenridge and
Polk had been of such a friendly nature
that felt sure of their acquiesence, but
/ knew that Judge Douglas had not been
pleased with some newspaper comments
of mine on his political course, and 1
thought that he might consequently op-
pose my appointment. To ascertain his
views / went out to his house in what
was then called Minnesota row, built
with the profits of three congressman in
Minnesota land speculation, and was
ushered into the library. The Little
Giant" was shaving, was informed, but
would soon be down, and in few mo-
ments he made his appearance, in his
shirt sleeves. / at once stated my er-
rand, frankly alluding to my newspaper
criticisms, and concluded by asking if
my appointment as clerk Of the commit
tee on foreign relations would be accept
able to him. Acceptable" said he,
"why of course it will be. My only OBJ
lection to serving on the committee has,
been that feared Sumner would send to
Boston for a id free niger for clerk,
and shall be delighted to have you in
the committee room"
The committee met the next morning,
and the old members found matters de-
cide9ly changed. A small buffet in a
corner, which had always contained a
supply of whiskey, had already been
banished to the lumber room, and there
was no longer box Of cigars on the
mantlepiece Instead Of rambling
conversation, enlivened by drinks and
cigars, Mr.. Sumner had the business Of
the committee brought forward seriatim
the opinions of all were successively ask
ed for, and then the ayes and nays were
called. II was parliamentary business,
and not chat, thus inaugurate6 by the
Massachusetts theorist, Of whom it had
only one idea, and that was the "nigger."
People hereabouts would use two gs then
in speaking of persons of African de-
scent, but they have COTTON over that
bravely now, especially those who humb-
ly solicit the votes of those who ten years
ago were " chattels." At that time the
most respectable colored persons could
not enter the capitol, except as menial
or be abroad after nine o'clock without
being fined or whipped.
The committee was principally occu-
pied, during that brief session which pre-
ceded the bursting of the war cloud, with
the consideration Of nominations for for
eign appointments transmitted by the
president. In some of these Mr.. Seward,
who had just entered upon his duties as
secretary of state, took such a personal
interest that he used to come to the COM
mittee room TO confer with Mr.. Sumner
about them. There was one nomination
1 we'll remember, to which objection was
made on the ground that the person was
drunkard, and a leading senator came
one morning before the committee to re-
flute the charge. He made quite an ar
gument, closing by saying, No, gentle
men, he is not drunkard. He may
occasionally, as do myself. take glass
of wine, but l assure you, on the honor
of a gentleman, he never gets drunk. p
Upon this representation the appoint
ment was favorably reported upon and
confirmed, but it was soon evident that
the person was an incorrigible sot.
and when it became absolutely necessary
to remove him it leaked out that he had
retained and paid the senator for youch-
ing for his temperate habits.
!, Mr.. Sumner, during the ten years
which he was chairman of the commit
tee ON foreign relations, has carefully