Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-07-14
STORY OF TOM BENTON.
Money i'm His -Cameron's Story
About His Vanity.

Money in His Cravat-Cameron's Story
About His Vanity.
From the Philadelphia Press.
How about your educational institu-
uons?" emo uired of my companion, when
he had finished about the '.niggers."
"Oh! yes; they get along mighty well,
too. There is Chapel Hill, big school afo'
the war, is com ming up first rate again.
Lots of big men educated there. Tom
Benton used to go to school there, you
know. Mighty funny stories they tell
about the old fellow, too. They do say
that one time when a student that there
one of the boys lost some money, that
there was q great commotion and all the
scholars were brought into line to be
searched, and that the missing cash was
found on Tom Benton's neck rolled in his
cravat. heard Ze's Vance say that to
mention Chapel Hill to Tom Benton was
ever rrovocation enough for row."
This story about Mr.. Benton hung to
him all his life. Even when he grew rich
and powerful it was constaGtly coming up
to mock him. His overbearing manners
and naughty disposition no doubt had
much to do with keeping it alive.
Twelve years ago this very summer, sit
ting on the great green at the White Sui
phur Springs, ex- Governor Henry A. Wise
described to me, as only he could do it, q
memorable scene in the United States sen
ate in 1886, when Mr.. Leigh of Virginia
unintentienally, but foreibly recalled this
episode in Mr.. Benton's early life
The proposition was pending to expunge
from the journal of thu senate the resolu-
lions condeming General Jackson's remov-
al of public money from the United States
bank, and Mr.. Benton was in his usual
style, leading in behalf of expunction, and
had been instrumental in getting the Vir-
glnla legislature to instruct Mr.. Leigh to
to vote for the resolution. Mr.. Leigh re-
fused to obey, and in a speech of great
power giving his reasons, and eve fixed up
on Benton, he said: MIR. President, in
that catechism which learned at my
mothers knee was taught from picking
and stealing and my tongue from evil
speaking! Governor Wise said that, Of ali
the scenes he ever saw in the senate, this
was the most dramatic, and recalled to all
the crayat of Chapel Hill.
This recalls the scene between General
Simon Cameron and Tom Benton, once re-
lnted to me by the veteran PENNSYLVANIA.
1t was during Mr.. Cameron's first wear in
the senate, 1916 think. Benton was ap-
parently wrapped in his own greatness and
hardly recognized any of the younger sena-
tors. Going up the hill to the Capitol one
day Mr.. Cameron overlook the Missouri
statesman, and never before having spoken
to him, saluted him:
Good morning, senator"
Good morning, sir, replied Mr.. Ben
ton.
1T is pleasant day, senator"
Eyes, sir
Il hope, said General Cameron, that
shall have the pleasuse of hearing you
speak on the Oregon boundary question. l
have heard many others, but would like to
hear your opinion of that measure"
Yes, sir" replied Mr.. Benton; you will
hear me speak upon the Oregon boundary
question, and when you do hear me upon
that proposition. sir, you will see that
will annihilate those who have spoken on
either side like an elephant treading upon
bed of pissmires."