The Republican journal., 1874-03-12
Incident IL .ha Life of Chief Justice
Taney.
BY JAMES PARTON.

most Of the public men of this country in
former times. Let me relate an incident
or two in the life Of the late Chief Justice
Iancy. Never was there Il public man
more scrupulously honest than he.
One day, III 1884, he received from New
ork two boxes OF cigars, without any
card or letter accompanying them. The
cigars were of the particular brand which
ne liked best, and We're not easy to be
procured. Few smokers have ever lived
who enjoyed the weed more thoroughly
than the Chief Justice At that time.
however, he was not the Chief Justice.
but Secretary of the Treasury, in the ad-
ministration Of Andrew Jackson. In daily
expectation of receiving letter of advice
respecting these cigars he laid them aside
unopened. Several days passed; dnring
which, as the Senate refused 10 confirm
him in his office. he became Il private
citizen, and as such free to receive presents
from all the world
A gentleman holding high place in
the Treasury Department asked him one
day, as he was closing up the business OF
his office, if he had received two boxes on
cigars lately
YES replied Mr. fancy ''To whom
am | indebted for them -
He learned that the givrr was an old
friend Of his family, Samuel Thomson by
namn who then held a temporary appoint
ment in the New York Custom -houSe-au
appointment which had been within his
Gift and control as Secretary Of the Trpas-
ury. He made up his mind at once not
to accept the gift
II sincerely thank YOU" he wrote t.
Mr. Thomson. for this proof of yonr
kindness and Won must not feel mortifpj
Al what am 3bout to sav rannnt ,..
cent lbe rioar. from Won ,s , nres,.,.l
But win he o,l,d ~ l.nrp thnm I'D u.,.
Won the market value Of tbnm Anil +
must ask the favor of Won to say how
much they are worth thai may send vnu
tb4 money"
He procpeded at some lenoth 10 az
plain the grounds of Misconduct SO =. +,
avoid wo,ndino the fppInos Of the oiyer
..It h,s b.pn = Gvpd tnIr with mo h,.
said $50 accent Of ma nresrnt however
nihino from any one The nno,nt nj
whose compensation tor a public service
depended on the department over which
| presided You will pprhaps smile NJ
what Won may think my fastidiousnas.
about such trifc as your CIGARS but
have THOUGHT it the true rule for public
man. and that it ouoht to be innrxibIy
adhered to in every ease. and without ANY
exception in the smallest matters
Mr. Thomson made an ingenious reply
l,;,,+ ot An W. la'f,s,ad +h,, nnnsiarn,,
his peculiar connection with the Treasury.
hp ,uoh+ moi Ia have sent thp ,resent
,.althSuoh he added ..it wnuld he es
| tpeminG you. INTEGRITY as a very ,unDIe
affair. indeed to suppose that It would be-
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