The Portland daily press., 1881-02-07
Thurman and Edmunds.
Personal Friends though Political Enc
mics.
washington Letter to New York Time

Washington Letter to New York Times.
With few of the Republican Senators
Thurman has always been on the most inti-
mate personal terms. This has been particu-
larly true as regards Senator Edmunds. Both
gentlemen are members of the judici ary
committee, and the Republican giant in con-
stitutional law has always, but especially since
Thurman's services on the electoral commits
sion, had great respect for his legal ability.
This respect, which was, of course, returned,
has in late years ripened into warm personal
friendship, which develops itself in many odd
ways. For instance, the two Senators almost
invariably take in company that refreshment
and little stimulant which they may find nee
essary during long and tiresome session. On
such occasions their movements are quite as
eccentric as they are amusing, and to the initi-
ated well understood When the oppor tn nity
offers or the spirit moves, one or the other Of
them-it is sometimes one and sometimes the
other-will solemnly and slowly rise in his
place and look slyly and significantly toward
his "brother Senator. Then the latter will
in moment be seen also to rise in his place.
Then they go out of the chamber, always from
different doors, and always slowly and solemn
ly. In the same manner they co. by different
stairways. down to their committee room.
There they meet, enter together, and the door
is closed upon the outside world. What they
do upon the inside can only be surmised, bit
it is noticeable that when they have been so
closeted for few moments they invariably re-
turn to the Senate chamber looking very much
refreshed and strengthened. Sometimes one
returns before the other. At such times, if it
happens that vote be in progress, and Ed
munds being absent, Thurman g name is called
that gentleman, with the utmost gravity,
though close observer may notice a sly
twitch in his eye, always replies:
upon this question, Mr.. President, am
paired with my honored friend, the Senator
from Vermont. If he were present he would
vote mol should vote yes"
Exactly in the same fashion, If the great Re.
publican Senator be the first in the chamber
and MIR. Thurman absent during the roll-call
Tho u1tf, otrai5iIG fvr.. t7r0 f~-~Ae~ Ls
seen slowly rising, and there comes in deep
tones from the close-cut and scarcely moving
lips the words:
upon this question, Mr.. President. 1 am
paired with my honored friend, the Senator
from Ohio. If he were present, he would vote
yes-I should vote no.
Then, slowly again, the Senator from Ver-
mont takes his seat and shortly after when his
honored friend" the Senator from Ohio is
again in his place, and has used his now histor-
ical bandana handkerchief, they exchange
glances and 60 back to work. At such times
he is an unfortunate man who attempts to con-
tradict either of them in regard to question
of constitutional law. Allen G.. Thurman, his
rugged, red face, portly form, clear-cut
speeches, sound law, and grim humor, will be
greatly missed in the United States Senate.
Most of all, however, will he be missed by his
friend, the Senator from Vermont