The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-03-09
BOY PAGES IN CONGRESS.

At the first session Of the Twenty
ninth congress. the republic OF Texas
had been admitted as a state in the
Union, and Gen. Sam Houston its for
mar president was elected as one Of its
senators.
Houston was & picturesque figure
Six feet five inches tall. very erect.
and having lived for anumber Of years
among the Indians, and coming to
Washington with a long blanket
thrown around instead Of an overcoat.
| remember that he looked every inch
Of an Iudian chief.
4 peculiarly Of his was the constant
practice Of whiting" He had one
day a number Of blocks Of soft wood
laid upon his desk in the senate. Dur
ing the proceedings he would fashion
with his knife every conceivable nov
city and then he would distribute them
among the pages.
Though extremely conservative, his
too liberal views on the slavery ques-
ton caused his defeat in 1889. 1t was
just after his failure Of reelection
tEat Senator Iyerson Of Georgia sar-
cast;caIy alluded to his defeat and
hoped that would be the fate OF all
men who were traitors TO the South.
With his feeling stirred to the high
est pitch, and a breathlessly attentive
senate. Gen. Houston replied:
1T is true. gentlemen, that j am
politically dead. There appears to be
no breath in my life, as far as the pub
lie service is concerned, hereafter
The condemnation OF me at the polls
has been condign [ did not think,
however, that after my defeat the
State Of Georgia would be the one to
come and taunt me with my disaster
Not the State Of Georgia should have
thought it necessary to attack me
upon this floor. for when | was q boy
| shed my blood for the people Of that
state whom the tomahaWk and scalp
ing knife were raised against them.
In battle | was left among the slaiD
as it was supposed, and | always
thought that Georgia at least would
have some respect for my memory.
But. gentIemen, this is not the first
time that a dead lion has been kicked
in the face by the heels OF a cowardly
as.
Later, on when Lewis T. Wigfail, a
violent secessionist, was elected to the
senate. he was asked what kind OF q
man this Nigfali was, end Gen. Hou-
ston replied. "Gentlemon, ] know
him well; ne is The most eloquent,
brilliant d-In fool III all Texas"
The debate upon the Oregon ques-
ton had called forth the efforts OF the
best minds OF the senate. and the
Walker tariff bill had been stubbornly
fought through all its stages, and the
scene was most impressive on It's final
passage. Every senator was IN his
seat, save one vacancy, and one in
trustsd contrary to his convictions,
and the vote was known to he a tie.
Therefore all interest centered in Vice
President Dallas. who would be called
upon to give the casting vote. Ills
party fealty demanded an affirmative.
the local interest Of his state q mega
tive. 4 deadlike stiffness peryaded
the chamber when the vice president
arose and read an elaborate address,
reviewing the whole question and con
clulhng that his duty to the party out
weighed the claim Of his state cast his
vote for the bill, which practically
made il law.
Senator Simon Cameron immediate
III arose and excitedIy exclaimed:
.Pennsylyania Will remember that
Vote
Gen. Lewis Cass came to'the senate
at this congress and made an able
/ speech on the Oregon boundary, oc
cnpyiag the aggressive position Q
i 80 10 or fight
lie always insisted upon the large
boys waiting upon him, saying :
! ought 10 be dismissed and sent K
school But Judge 4Iangum insist
/ eI upon my retention.
+ One day, however, at a subsequen
/ session when no other boys were O
the floor. | went to the general and l.
i gave nae three letters to seal. tellin.
/ me to bring them back to him befor
mailing. In those days sealing wa
was used, there being a candle, wa
and senate seal iii the corridor benin,
the vice presidents chair; and as
had become very expert III the seain!
OF letters he was delighted with m
work, asked many questions concern
ing me. told me to call at his room j
the morning, and afterward becam
very fond Of me- and would let 10 on
else attend to him.
Making daily visits to his hotel o
my way to the capitol and performin
for him the light duties Of page, | wa
gratitiei by his kindly interest an
friendship, and [ profted by his goo
. advice and later on [ became h
:, amanensis, and, though writing pos
! hand, wrote all his confidential lette
and took down all his speeches viii
lie walked the floor on sat in his bi
arm chair Debating them.
was almost constantly with him
:, his apartment at the National ar
. again Al Wizards hotel, and for weel
3 | cid not SO home. except short di
. visits. as he wanted me with him. an
We were very busy together preparir
his writings for publication. NothiI
went to the printer from other han,
until | had re-read and corrected
and | have gone With him lace at mig
I TO the Congressional Globe office vi
7 his manuscript speeches to be set |
y the next day
i In fact my time was 50 thorough
given up him that he told the sergea
at arms to employ some one at his {
peuse to 90 my work at the capitol, /
lie had plenty Of hands, but he wal
ed a head"
5 We had meals served in our pl,ivi
8 room, and 10 me alone when he was
8 the capitol, giving me a carte blanc
! for anything desired. | often tool
: 9lrIyA IN his lar3za,,~a ,.,,,,,; =, - ,