The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-12
MR.. EDMUNDS' RETIREMENT.
His Determination Long Known 10 His
Personal Friends.
EIS WARN FRIENDSHIP FOR THURMAN.
Incidents of His Carcer-His Socialibility in
the ComInittoe ROom-Othcr Eemi-
nisCenscs.
Especial Correspondence

Senator Morrill, aud 10 several others some
time ago. but as they were pledged 20 secresy
they kept quiet The first public announce
,nent came from the West. Ex-senator Pierce
had Just taken editorial charge of a Minnea-
polls paper and he proceeded to scoop his
rivals 10y proclaimiug that Senator Edmunds
would soon resign. This statement was
generally regarded here as canard,
but several newspaper correspondents made
some inquiry. Mr. Ednunds was rcti-
cent as he generally Is. The inqur-
inc newspaper men discovered, however. that
ai of Mr. kdmund's personal property, IN
ending his books and papers. had been re-
moved from the room of the Senate judiciary
Committee This was significant, as for
many wears Senator Edmunds made his head
Quarters there As chairman of the commit
Zee 70 was bis privilege 20 occupy tho room.
aud he spent large portion Of his
time there. In that room no per-
formed nh his labor, that relating to his
law practice .and other matters rs well as 70
lis senatorial duties. He bad been so long
associated with the room that he seemed
aspart of IT, His removal of everything be
longing 20 him tended 70 confirm Pierce's
assertion; bat as Senator kdmunds enjoyed
unusual liberties and privileges as public
man. few believed he would resign. So far rs
the State ~ Vermont WINS concerned, he could
hold the scnatorshipa long ar me pleased. and
no questions asked He could come and 60 at
Will, aud when he pleased worked or not, and
for the last few years the Senator had quite
literally availed himself Of the privileges. He
would absent himself from the Senate for
days 10 attend 10 cases before the supreme
Court. would fit away 20 the South for weeks
~ q time without observing the fOrmalty Of
regular leave of absence.
APAIHETIc FEATURE.
There is possiblya pathetic feature TO the
distinguished Senator's disgust Of public life.
several years hgo death robbed him of his
a,orite daughter She was an invalid. but
tig only endeared her the more to her father.
twas touching to see the fohd. devoted atten-
ton # the rugged Green Mountain Senator
o. his fair, fragile daughter. His hands in
attending 70 her wants were as gentle as "a
laha's breath In travelling in the hopes of
bonefting her health the Senator would
scarcely permit any one else 10 serve the IN
valid daughter Though 1t was apparent 10
everybody else that the daughter could not
long survive, the fond father refused to
believe that so cruel blow awaited him, and
.he shock. when death came, was all themOre
severe II has been observed that since the
death If his fayoute daughter he has mani
tested q lack of interest in his public and pO-
ltcal duties. He no longer served or spoke
with that vim and vigor which had made HIM
the foremost man on the Republican side Of
the Chamber. For the last two years or so he
almost dropped out Of debates Even during
the long struggle over the Force bill his voice
was rarely heard.
his HEALTH FAILED.
All this goes to show that Senator Edmunds
was candid in citing his reasons for Tesgna-
hon. and that "Bill' Chandler and other
critics who assign Interior motives TO the dis
tncuIehed Senator DO him injustice. IL Is no
secret that Senator Edmunds health las
failed. Chandler, with that impudence that
ever cllracteriZes him when the attacked
party precluded from striking back asserts
tA4. senator Edmunds left the Senate 10
d, 'ld the 60 him painful spectacle OF the
adoption Of cloture that the Vermont Sena-
Tor had come 20 realize that the
more progressive men of the domi-
nant party are determined 70 adopt
rule 10 silence debate, and that as MIR. Ed
munds is welded 20 old ideas and is non-pTO-
gressive he prefers TO resign rather than re-
main a member Of a body that would over
ride precedents. This may be complimentary
q Senator Edmund. in one sense. but 1t
credits him with entirely too tender regard
for the rules and precedents. When the fight
over the Force bill had reached that stage
which prompted its supporters 10 demand
eag-rule Senator Edmunds did oppose any
enforced curiallment Of debate But subse-
queutly and during the last session OF the last
Congress he not only gave his assent 10 the
application of the gag, hat several times IN
the few remarks he made upon the bill he adj
vocated the application Of cIoture.
BABID PARTISAN.
Senator Fdmuuds was never the man 20
bold back when his party beckOned him on
he is a rank and rabd partisan. and there are
{ % many acts OF his on record u prove that
when partisanshlp and patriotism were at an
issue the Senator invariably cast his vote for
party. His support of the two fraudulent
claimants % senatorial seats from Montana Is
o. recent instance These men had 10 more
right. under the law. under the rules and pre-
cedents of the Senate 10 seats IN that body
than the thief has 10 property no has stolen,
and many believed that senator Edmunds,
with his great ability. his prominence rs
lawyer and his oft-eXpressed devotion 10 Sen
ate presidents, would have the manhood bio
oppose the fraudulent claimants. IL Is known
10 more than one person that
Mr.. Ldmunds did want 10 antagOnize and
expose the fraud and rOttenness Of the claims
of Sanders and Powers, but the needs Of
party were urged upon HIM. 1t was necessary
for the Republican party 70 hold the new
States, rs the old ones were slipping away,
sc. The sanctmomous Hoar OF Massachu-
sets labOred diligently 10 persuade Edmunds |
that II was his duty 10 throw aside conscience
and the Constitution and vote for fraud and
the Republican party. And parcnthctcally II |
might be remarked that filter tool 70 por-
suade a man 10 DO wrong while making loud |
assertions of his uprghtneSs of purpose than
Hoar could not be found.
EDMUNDs AND THURMAN.
One interesting incident Of Senator Ed |
munds' public life was his friendship for |
ex-senator Thurman. Two men more an |
tagonistic in regard o. all questions of politics |
aud governmental policy could not be found, /
and yet there was "a bond of sympathy be-
tween them which resisted all the fierce con-
teutions of the old Romans service IN the
senate As the two Senators, each the leader
Of his respective political party in the Senate,
lived in the same vicinity. They frequently |
went 10 the capitol together. Both
belonged 70 the Judiciary Committee. and
Arn-in- arm they were wont 20 jog through the
corridors 70 that committee room. They
called each other Judge" Of course except IN
public No matter what the pending bust
less. no matter how late the Senate might SIT,
these two friends invariably waited for each
other. II caucas or some other matter re-
quIed the attention of one after Adjournment, !
The other waited in the judiciary room until
his friend Joined him. Senator Thurman was
about as fond of glass of whisky anu water
Is ex-senator and ex-Secrctary BaYard always
describes IT, as was Senator Edmunds and
closet IN the Judiciary room contained a demi-
hn which was never empty when the Two |
great junsts, Senators and politicians called