The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-02-10
CHARLES SUMNER.
mINrERVIEWED.n

IN iEh w
A PICTURE OF HIS HoME-A CHAT on WIT
AND POLITICS.
The Washington correspondent of the Chi
cago Times writes the result of an interview
with Charles Sumner at his house in Wash
ington, which will probably repay the
reader: The Sumner residence is at the corner
of Vermont avenue, just where that thor
ougbfare stands off from III street. Across
the way is the cool park, which, in its turn,
leads to the grounds of the Grant family
mansion. The park is bright fragment of
arbor life in the dusty city desert, and is adj
ditionalIy interesting as an outdoor art
museum. It contains as yet only one curl
osity, a brass Gen. Jackson, bestriding
brass horse, which stands on its brass
tail. But other monstrosities may
be hoped for in due season. The Airing
ton house and it's many additions have
closed around Summers dwelling, until the
latter has come to be niched in hotels;
Kohinoor set in paste. His beautiful home
now finds a ladies' parler on its left, baggage
rooms behind it, to the right an ordinary"
dining hall, and line Of hacks before the
front door. But it still rem aims the abode OF
culture and renown, in spite of its incongru-
Gus surroundings; cherry stuck In dough,
a Messonier in Eastwood frame. Mr.. Friend
earnest gentlemen who are anxious to favor
him with "kerrige to any part OF the city,"
and tugs at the Summer door-bell. A trim
and self-satisfied descendant of some Asian
tee king a pears, the portals close behind,
and as the man and brother Is waited with
the callers card to the floor above, Friendly
Visitor has brief and busy time of observa-
ton all to himself. He is in the vestibule of
a miniature temple of the arts. To the left
is a condensed Vatican, to the right
DIMINUTIvE LOUVRE.
Bronzes that may have known the touch
of Benvento Cellini, Rembrandt prints, casts
from the Munich museum, choicer subjects
from Berlin and Florence, Roman marbles,
and paintings, from the castles of dead and
living monarchs of the brush, are massed in
skillful disorder in every direction. Each
apartment is an individual gallery of rare
contributions, culled by a connoisseur. and
arranged with that def harmony of confu-
sion which only comes to the born lover OF
the art. Think of the serenity which a
knowledge and appreciation of these beau
ties may bring to their possessor, no matter
how prominent or turbulent his normal life.
Why, the ether day, while Wright was bar
arguing impossible finance to tired sem
ate, Sumner sat through the tedious thunder
in an elysium of ignorance. He was enjoy
ing Storey's humiliating dose for English
conceit, that the Elgin marbles never saw
the light of Phidias's studio. "The writer
walk right up to the library, SIR"
1t is the dainty offshoot of African royal
ty, who has returned from his trip with the
card, and friendly visitor is guided to the
senatorial lions den. Entering, he is forth
with lost in a jungle of books, desks, great
easy chairs, glorious gleanings from the
world of art, manuscripts, and bric-a-brac
Wrapped in heavy dressing-robe, slip
pered, and in the general dishabille of rein
ed comfort, the admiration of Massachusetts
has tumbled himself into the cushions. of {
luxurious chair. and is in brisk chat will
III. X. Browne, the veteran sculptor.
"Find seat anywhere" digressively OBJ
serves Summer, and returns to his converse
ton with the artist. The rugged head of tn,
cid artist finally disappears through thu
door. Friendly Visitor takes the vacan
chair, and toying with the handsome bool
bearing the title, Complete Works o
Charles Sumner, volume w." swing
the talk from the realms of ar
to the fields of craftsmanship
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
Friendly Visitor-You are not much of an ad
mirer of the electoral college, Mr.. Sumner?
Mr.. Sumner-No sir. Ii Is an outgrowth ant
part and parcel OF the caucus system. 1t is al
irresponsible body, and deprives the people o
their grand right to vote directly for the presi
F.V.-I believe you have joint resolution be
fore congress looking TO the abolition of tn
Mr.. s.SYes; it can only be accomplished b.
amending the constitution, and that Is what TIT
resolution asks. look upon the practice OF al
electoral college intervening between the peopl
and the p esident as hostile to good government
and altogether evil in example.
F.V.-How long have you had the matter un
der consideration?
Mr. S.-For years. 1t has, in fact, never seem
ed right to me that any exception should b
made to the usual direct method of voting. A
president should be elected the same as gov
ernor a town clerk, by the people themselves
The college system, as my resolution says, is frs
operated by the caucus or convention, and a few
.xyf afrfu nr
In putting forth a candidate who becomes a
once the exclusive representative of politica
party, and bis triumph is assured.
F. V.-Brt, Mr.. Sumner, you cannot legisat
away the original convention system Itself
itated ssiates " and the nominees so made vii
become candidates.
Mr.. s.~True, but with the electoral coIleg
abolished, and the disapproval of congress
sIamped upon the whole caucus system, a "a ca
step will have been taken toward the end de
sired. l wish to see the people come together a
a specified time, and castindependent ballots TO
whomsoever they please.
F.V.-You were saying that this Is no new
Mr 81 nave always believed I'm 1t, andiiopet
for IL. Reforms demanding more immediate at
tention have kept this in the back ground, bu
every presidential election proves more ant
more It's necessity. Years ago, Col. Benton ad
dressed the senate upon this very subject, and
was then particularly impressed with the trutl
that, sooner or later the people must be priv
ed, and the tne present seems a desirable time
ascertain congressional opinion;
EV:-Haye you agitated the idea among you
Mr.. Sit has been a frequent theme of con
sideration between myself and acquaintance
Notably, when was last in Europe, President
THEIRS.
OF the French Republic, after a very animate
conversation upon American affairs, himsel
preached this very subject. He professed yer,
warm interest in seeing the electoral system
wiped from our records, looking upon it as tn
one serious fiaw in our American republicanism