The San Francisco call., 1896-03-24

the most powerful men on the floor OF Con-
gress, and his tilts at various times with
Hampton, Blackburn, Brown, Sunset Cox
and others had made him known as one
of the readiest of speakers. When Blaine,
Thurman and hosts OF other statesmen
were at their height of power, William Pitt
kellogg was at Washington, and his
speeches were always listened to with in
terest.
Any one who has followed his career
knows what stormy time he had In
his own State. He was affirmed by Presi-
dent Lincoln Chief Justice of Nebraska,
and served six months of each year on the
bench, from 1862 to 1864. The other six
months he put in in the cause of the
Union, being often at Washington. Fin
ally Mr.. Lincoln appointed him Collector
of the Port at New Orleans, and put his
name to the commission the afternoon be-
fore he died, it being the last he ever
signed.
|, In Louisiana, at one time or another,
Mr.. Kellogg has had most tragic expert
ences. 1t was very hot there after the
war. when the Ku Klux band was riding
forth at night, and when tragedies were
of frequent occurrence. ARRAYS growing
out of political contests were the regular
I0lDg. MI. hcllORR HAS OcSl Olt6u tuc
target at which murderous balls were
aimed, but beyond getting part of one
ear clipped off one night, as he was riding
home in his carriage, he remains sound
and whole.
The distinguished ex-senator and ex-
Governor is of medium size, with blue
eyes, a white mustache and hair nearly
white. He is singularly interesting
talker and pleasing one, as well. Yes
x<r do h<,k kn1A hA ho6 hAa IN Cali
fornia on two occasions previously, and
each time with Congressional commits
sions. The last time was in 1872, when
he came with Senator Thurman and Others
equally notable. During that visit Mr..
Selby was Mayor of San Francisco.
Mr.. Kellogg inquired about him and
about the locality of the grave of Senator
Brodsrick. He never knew Broderick, but
had always, he said, been interested in
the occasions when he was here he met
Ralston, and was driven by him, in COM
pany with other guests, to his handsome
country seat at Belmont.
Mr.. Kellogg said he guessed he was get
ting little old, though he didn't feel that
way, except when he recalled similar Incl
dents in his active life. Then he adverted
to the political situation, saying he was
somewhat perplexed as to how things were
coming out.
II am large property older" he said
''at New Orleans, Omaha and other places.
and have lately been making study OF
our present condition, especially in finan-
cial way. What causes me to be some
what more perplexed than usual was read
ing the other day of Dun's commercial
report and letter of Henry Clews. They
show the volume of trade, the IMPORTS and
the general conditions in an unsatisfactory
condition. I6on't know just how we are
going to come out.
Suppose We nominate another man for
President. Suppose it should be McKin-
ley. He would be elected, / think, for
have no doubt that any Republican nomi-
mated will be, but then there are more
problems. With his ultra.ide of protec-
ton the question is, Could he bring any
order out Of the chaos? With the ardent
Populists and silver advocates, and sc
many contending interests, doubt if he
could get enough votes in the Senate to
pass his measures. The House would
stand by him, but in order 10 get the whole
matter before Congress he would have to
have long extra session. and everybody
knows how wearisome that is.
.sSuch Senators as Dubois and Shoup oi
Idaho, Allen of Nebraska and my old
friend Teller of Colorado, am afraid, will
all stand out for silver as against helping
out the protection measures, and the only
thing to do would be toadmit New Mexico
and get two Senators there who would ACT
as an Offset. Even then there would
scarcely be enough to enable anything to
be done. There might be if two or three
votes were shifted around by death, or in
some other way. but at any rate it would
be by . close shave. don't look for any
aid from Kentucky, for the matter is al
ready settled there. as understand it, by
precedent. So this Isl IN q general way,
about how things stand.
Nov, as to what Republican should
really be nominated, think it should be
some safe, cor servative man in whom the
people at large have confidence. Louisi-