Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-10-20
New Series 81. No. 48.

make speeches and to write books. From
what l have read of his last book, it wa
a very foolish productions
"As Pennsylvania, Mr.. Murphy
what do you think of the Senatorial
representation from your State?"
THE ablest Pennsylvania in tn,
Senate in my time," said Mr.. Murphy
''has been Edgar COwen Buckalew
Buckalew was an indOlent man, but O
very great abilities. Simon Cameron
makes no pretensiOnS to education, but
came across speech of his some tim,
ago which was very prettily and saga
ciOusly done. The old man always mad,
his speeches just about long enough tt
go into the country newspapers, where
a speech of more than column is rare
ly seen."
"What do you think of Conkling p
Mr.. Murphy.
"Although was in the Senate from
tho time COnkling came there until ht
went out" said Mr.. Murphy, 81 was new
er able to know him very well. There
seems to be lack of sincerity, somehow
in his intercourse with you. Although
extremely polite with you, you never
know whether he likes you or not. He
was very fastidiOus about the way hi:
speeches were gotten up in the Globe
On one occasion he was to reply to al
assault on the administration from Sum.
ner. He had me come to him and get uI
the speech before he delivered 1t and
have it put in type, thing rather un.
usual for him, who spoke very easily
After this speech was all put together
and ready to be launched on the public
he made it. One of his habits was to
appear to depreciate his own efforts, and
when he had got through that speech he
came to me and said: Il did not do my
self justice to-day, / am sure. l was NOT
feeling right to-day etc. Imade no re.
ply to this, and he seemed rather disap-
pointed, and finally said to he. What
did you think of my speech% p WE'LL said
/, Mr.. COnkling. as the speech had been
prepared and had taken up considerable
of my time before, l did not listen as
closely as might have DONE 1 was busy
part of the time, also, but saw that you
had one very interested auditor whom
you probably did not see because your
back was turned upon her. Who was
that? 2 said Mr.. COnkling 1T was Mrs
Grant, the Presidents wife, and by her
countenance judge she was very much
entertained At this Conkling went
away highly delighted because his point
was to get the Presidents appreciation
did you regard Douglas as an over
rated man. Mr.. Murphy?"
-"Yes, l did; he had ability undOubted-
ly, and great tact for public business,
but he did not inquire into the truth of
things enough, and was always looking
up something or other to get votes.
There was great deal of good about
Douglas, however, and at bottom he was
National man."
did you know Millard Fillmore?"
"Yes; he was one of the best presiding
officers that ever sat above the Senate
John G. Breckenridge, too, was fine
presiding officer. / think Fillmore was
the finest looking man and had the best
address of any Vice Presidens ever
saw"
We were talking of Thad Stephens,
and Mr.. Murphy said:
"Zash Chandler once told me that
there was not a single act of legislation
during the war that troubled his scruples
at all except one, and that was the ad-
mission of West Virginia as separate
State.