Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-22


ton, and 1t came about indirectly through
the influence and prestige which 1 acquired
by being the friend of Samuel ]. Kirk
wood, who was then governor of Iowa. As
soon as he was ELECTED he put me on his
staff, and at the outbreak of the war he
directed me to raise some regiments for the
army My territory was north Iowa, and
l had organized thFee regiments along in
1861, when l was taken sick, and for a
year was unable to do anything As soon
as I recovered Gov. Kirkwood put me again
at work, and raised three more regiments
or six regiments in all This was in 1862
and it was just about the time of noni-
mating members of Congress The candi-
date for the nomination of the republican
party from our county was an extremely
radical man. He wanted slavery abolished
at once, and wanted the President to adopt
the most extreme measures as to the car
Tying on of the war. l was a little more
| conservative, and the large conservative
element of the district made me their can
didate. The result was that 1 was romi-
mated, and the opposing democratic candi-
date was an editor, who was then IN tafl
on account Of disloyalty. He had been or
dered there by Secretary Stanton and the
issue straight one of for the Union
or against 1t.
Voting Iowa Soldiers In the Field,
You can hardly imagine today the situa-
ton in 1S62-63," Senator Allison con sinued
The democratic party was strong and the
republican party had been depleted by the
volunteers for the war, which had you
| know. been called for again and again.
I'm organizing my regiments for the army
I noted that nine-tenths of them were re-
publicans, and in looking over the con-
gressional field l found that If all these
votes were to be lost I would probably be
defeated. The men were to go away to the
field in few days. If 1 could have their
votes, would be elected How to get them
did not know. l worried over the matter
and finally decided that If their votes could
be taken in the field, 1t would save not only
this congressional district to the republican
party but others in different parts of Iowa.
1t was then recess of the legislature
however, and such measure would re-
quire legislative action. 1 concluded to go
to Gov. kirkwood and get him to call an
extra session. 1 did So spending all the
night on the train to go from Dubuque to
Davenport There was no direct road then
and had to go out into Illinois and there
connect with the c. B. and G. and come
lack. presented the situation to the gov
ernor. l told him that 1t was certain that
Wilson could not be elected, and that I
doubted whether l could be, but that nv
chances were better than his. Gov. Kirk
wood did not think the matter so serious
at first. but upon my showing him the real
status of affairs, he said that If I would 20
and get letter from Senator Grimes ad-
vising the matter. he would call the extra
session. kirkwood had great respect for
Grimes judgment. / then went to see
Grimes. He lived at Burlington, and I
walked from the train to his house 1 was
told he was down in the city. l looked him
up ana found him in a grocery store owned
by young man named Gear the same
young man who has just been elected from
my state to take Wilson's place in the
United States Senate. Well I presented the
situation to Senator Grimes. He laughed
at first, but soon showed him that l was
right and he said:
We'll. If that is so, and think it is. we
will certainly lose two districts in Congress-
II the governor does not call an extra ses-
sion. If l were him. 1 would not hesitate
moment l would not only call session
but 1 would make this the basis of the
call" o
Here 1 saw my chance, and said:
Gov. kirkwood sent me to you to find
out what you thought about the matter
ana TO bring him an answer. Now, if you
think that there should be an extra session
he would like to know it, and I would like
10 carry him note from you saying So
senator Grimes theni'gave me a note to
GOV. Il lrkwood, stating that I had called
upon him about the,mafter, and that I was
very much alarmed over the situation In
TINS note he wrote about as follows: Il am
more sanguine as to the patriotism of the
people of Iowa than Allison. but 1 think
that the situation is such that an extra
session of the legislature ought to be call
ed upon this question" The expenses of
such meeting viii be a bagatelIe in COM
par1son with the great issues involved
Il took this note back to Gov KirkWood
He called meeting of the legislature, and
our soldiers were voted in the field We
sent, i think three commissioners. and
their votes were taken and returned, and
through this We got a republican deleea-
ton from Iowa in Congress, and 1 was one
OF the members. Soon after this, I think {"
said Senator Allison, 1.-The other states OF
the north adopted the same rule to TAX
Ing the votes of the soldiers in the field,
but believe that Iowa was the first to at
tempt this, and that I may, to a certain
extent, be called the author of the move
ia thrnf Jtyt1 ,,
that came to Congress. and have been
here, with the exception of the two years
between 1871 and 1872, from that time to
this
Does Public Life Pays
cit Is nearly thirty-three years since you
were first elected, Senator. That Is a full
generation. Now, look back. will you, over
your career. Do you think it has paid you
to be public man,
Il don't know" replied Senator Allison,
ref1ectively. II have thought of 1t many
times, and I have sometimes decided that it
has not. 1t has been pleasant in many
ways, but 1t has often seemed to me that 1t
would have been better for me had I closed
my public career with my term in the
House There is really a great deal of hard
work connected with Congress, and my life
in the Senate has been one of hard work
and much worry. When left the House in
1871, twenty-four years ago, 1 was, you
might say, at the beginning of my prime.
Had dropped politics and devoted myself
to my profession of the law 1 would GER
tafniy be much richer man than I am
today. l: think. perhaps, would have been
happier"
The Presidency.
STILL Senator. you have had all that pub
lie life gives to any one, with the exception
of the presidency, and you may have that"
But am not a candidate for the presi-
dency" replied Senator Allison. mo! No!
Not in any sense of the word! I have never
looked upon the White House as many
other public men do I doubt much con-
corning the happiness that is supposed to
come with the presidential office 1 have
known many Presidents. I have been &C
quainted with them before they went into
office. and have known them after they
came out. l have seen them go into the
White House happy and proud in their
power and in their possibilities of accom-
pllshing great things. l have seen them
come out disappointed and disguested. l
do not know that would care for the presi-
dency If could have it. 1t is certainly not
a place that l would strive for. 1 am in
the senate now, and l feel that my state
Will probably keep me there as long as
desire to stay. My experience there is
worth something. l hardly feel that my
work Is ended yet, and the presidential
. TO- -l~