Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-09
AN HISTORICAL CHARACTER
FOrty-Ntno Years tn the Service Of the

Forty-Nt'ae Years IN the Service Of the
Senate. s..
Visitors to the national capitol when they
come into the Senate while it ia In session
have often noticed in tho neighborhood of
the clerks desk an old gentleman with very
white hair and very long beard, and
''thereby hangs tale.''
This old gentleman is Capt. Isaac Bassett,
assistant doorkeeper of the Senate of the
United States. One could not tell where he
got his title, but surely he has a. much right
to it as great many majors, generals and
colonies, and perhaps in the sequel It will
appear not undeserved.
The captain dresses in neat suit of black,
and has his hair trimmed in style which
suggests 9 forgotten age. He is always to
be found at his post while the Senate is in
session, that ia in the large chair which
stands to the left of the Vice Presidents.
In fact, 80 great was his punctuality that sem
ators would rather 60 by him than by the
clock. They would say the clock struck IL
when Capt. Bassett was in his chair, not
Capt. Bassett was in his char when the
clock struck ~. Capt. Bassett entered the
senate in 1880, and has been in the constant
employ of the Senate for forty-nine years.
He is, therefore, full of old "Reminiscences,
and entertaining ones.
II entered the Senate" said he, sin 1881
as page, through the influence of Daniel
Webster. Mr.. Webster wanted me to get
thoroughly acquainted with my duties. So
during the year 1880 worked as page
| during the whole year for nothing. Up to
1881 there had been but one page to forty
eight Senators (the pages now number four
teen), and there was great opposition among
Senators to have more than one. They said
it was not to be thought OF, one was quite
enough. But Daniel Webster said he must
have his boy, and in went"
"Speaking of Daniel Webster, the captain
said. 1 remember one rainy day Webster
told me to go and get hack. I hunted for
a long time and came back wet and tired
without finding any. Webster was always
quite friendly with him. On this occasion,
being rather CROSS, rushed up to Webster
and said with boyish rudeness, Il can't find
any hack Webster just looked at me. But
what glance! I would rather endure any
thing than another such glance. felt like
sinking through the floor. Then Webster
said, GO and get hack
at is needless to say, the carriage was
found"
asked the captain one day, what he
thought of Webster's eloquence?
"Have you ever seen anybody that could
make you laugh and cry at pleasure? WA,
he could do it,
! The captain states as curious fact that
Daniel Webster always required q certain
quantity Of whisky before he spoke. -.
The writer has heard, on very good author
ity, that on one occasion, the Senate being
in executive session, that Webster, who was
in that stage when the mind is most active,
got up and made brilliant speech. The
question was en- the confirmation of the
same official. Webster, with an entire for
getfulness of the matter in hand, quoted an
entire play of Shakespeare. The Senate was
enthralled by Webster. Imagine play of
Shakespeare personated by Webster, with
his magnificent voice and awful presence!
| "Rufus Choate, continued the captain,
Railways wanted cup of strong tea before
he spoke.
"'Get me q cup of tea,' he would say, saa
hot as HE'LL
''They speak of the eloquenoe of Rufus
Choate, but would rather hear Matt Car
penter, who studied in his..ofice. I was
present at the celebrated Webster HaYne de-
bate"
"Well, did Webster get the best of it?''
''They say so. He got the best of the ar
gument.''
The way which the captain said this in
clines one to believe that his sympathies
were with the fiery Southerner. This, how
ever, is merely conjecture.
Bassett said the other day: II remember
the fight between Foote and Benton, that
famous one, the end of which was that Foote
waltzed down the central aisle with long
pistol cooked in his hand.
"Benton jumped up on his desk, and
villain.''' 49,. -
Foote relates this in his book, but he
omits the jumping on the desk.
Bassett again: ~ was present when
Brooks attacked Sumner. The circumstan-
ces which gave rise to the attack are well
known. Brooks came into the Senate with
q cane in his hand. It was gutta percha one
-all evidence to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. Sumner was writing, and Brooks came
up behind him and beat him over the head.
The blood covered the head of the Senator,
and he became senseless. assisted him
into the cloak-room. The cane was smash
ed to pieces, and have piece yet in nay
possession. read some years ago an &C
count of the presentation of this cane to an
historical society in one of the Southern
States. The pieces had grown together, /
suppose. am going to publish book
containing my experiences, but am wait
ing until complete fifty years in the service
of the Senate, that is one year more, if they
only let me stay long enough.
But who thinks of removing the honest
captain? It would be sacrilege. He could
stay in the Senate Thousand years, if he
lived long enough.