New-York tribune., 1878-07-24
4 TALK WITH SENATOR THURMAN.

PERSONAL VIEWS on PUBLIC TOPICS.
CUSTOM HOUSE REMOyALs-TnE POTTER INvESTI-
GATToN-PoLrTIcAL PROSPECTS IN oHIo-RECoL-
LECTIoNs OF CHARLES SUMNER.
IPRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE /
WASHINGTON, July Ex-senator Thurman who
has remained during the hot weather at his resi-
dence in this city. in 3 conversation to-day with
visitor from his own State, made comments upon a
number OF leading public topics In speaking of the
Presidents removal of the New-Yorl1 Customs Off
cials he made the inquiry whether OF not roasOss
for these removals had been given in any quarter
saying that he had some curiosity to know them
since under the Tenure-OfOfice law il would be nee
essary for the President give them TO tine Senate
at the next meeting. If, he said, the rea-
sons for the act were the same as those
which prompted the President TO send to
the Senate some months ago appointments to the
New-York offices, viz, that the incumbent officials
disagreed with the Civil Service Reform policy and
had dsregarded the Civil Service manifesto, there
would be curious scene presented in the Senate
when these should be received there, mas
much as fully three-fOurths Of the Republican men,
bers of the Senate wero Of the same opinion in these
matters as the removed officials.
Referring to the Investigations of the Potter Com
mittee, Mr.. Thurman said that the sensational wit
nesses on both sides had proved themselves to be
equally mendacious; that the story of Mrs. jerks
as to himself being the anthOr of the Sherman let
ter was of a tissue altogether too thin" and that
of L. l.. Webber as to having destroyed it to save
his brothers reputation, no better but that
the total effect of the investigation would be dis
advantageous to the Republican party since 1t ex-
hbled TO the country the general character of ras
cality attaching to the persons who had conducted
Republican politics in Louisiana and other
Southern States.
Senator Thurman expressed the opinion, based
upon his own observations during his recent visit
TO Ohio, that that State would undoubtedly be car
ried this Autumn for the Democrats by an increased
gain over last year. Twelve Democratic Represen-
tatiyes in Congress from the State are assured" he
said, and there are two close districts in which
there is probability Of Democratic success"
During the conversation with his visitor Mr..
Thurman was led TO speak upon another subject,
in which his oplmOn will have public interest VIZ.
his acquaintance and intimacy with Mr. Sumner.
He spoke of the dead leader of the Republican op-
position in the Senate with friendness and respect
and gave an estimate of his character and mind Il
! knew Mr. Sumner very wOll," he said, land saw
him quite frequently outside of the Senate. III a
social way, and conveBed with him on all sorts Of
topics, literary and general as well as political
The attractive quality Of Mr. Summers conversation
was its elevated tone and its entire freedom from
! vulgar anecdote and allusiOn. 1t was not,
however the conversation of a profound OF
! original mind, nor of an acute thinker. Neither
was his expression brilliant always fclicitOus.
! His talk was simply that OF a scholarly aud very
| well-informed gentleman But his scholarship has
as appears to me- been very much OverTated. He
was in n certain sense widely read. but he had not
wide attainments He spoke, 1 believe, only one
foreign language-the French, and that with some
hesitation, stopping often for word, as he did
sometimes even in English. He should have spoken
French WE'LL having lived year two in Paris but
he had acquired his knowledge of the language so
late in life as TO have missed a correct accent.
have heard him read from an Italian book, but ne
dad not speak in Italian, aud knew almost nothing
of German, think. In the matter OF reading Mr.
! sumner a sort of omnverOus brOwser in ltera-
turc reading great deal promiscuOusly and misce-
! laneOusiy without the method which seems to me
10 be necessary 10 acquire the proper instruction
eral reading To keep posted, as 1t Is expressed,
upon host of topics, the new rs well as the old,
tends tO stulty the mind rather than to quicken It,
Nothing so quickly and surely becomes dull for in
stance, as a book of anecdotes. 1t is like dinner
| all dessert. Mr. Sumner used his information OBJ
tanned IN this habit OF general reading but he
fairly digested 1t, OF broke 1t IN with his own
| mind. He cranlmed a great deal, and then
| spent his time in working up the re-
| suits into stately sentences which in some
| way escaped the edge of eloquencc. As u public
man senator Sumner gained bis reputation by his
| persistent enthusiasm IN the Antl-SlaveTy cause,
| and from his personal and political integrity. He
was pecunarily speaking honest and incUrruptible,
beyond suspicion even. lie had not great political
sagacity In this sort of wisdom he was excelled
hundred times over by his colleague Henry Wilson,
who in my Judgment, was the most discnminat-
,nn iudge IN political matters and the ablest party
leader that the Republican party has ever had"