The National tribune., 1898-04-07
Noted Men and Women Who
Have Inhabited Them.
"Reminiscences of Secretary Boutwell,, Sena-
tor Fenton, Judge Hood. and Others
Prominent in Tho Nations Life-A Story
of President Pierce-Some Literary Folks.
BY MARY g. LOCKWOOD.
Continued from last reeL)

sponsibilitieS than had beiallen any finan-
cal minister not excepting Alexander
Hamilton: that OF reducing the high import
and revenue tax, created as war meas
ure, and avoid crippling the national in
come. for the war debt must be reduced
and the interest met; in fact, he was eX-
pectcd to find the golden way to national
prosperity and to pay the country's debts
besides. How ably he met the require
ments reference to the monthly state
ments will show. Had the reduction OF
revenue taxation gone on in the same
ratio I'D to the present time, no cry OF an
alarming surplus would have Eeen heard
in the land.
Another who would equally be num-
bered in the same category, one VINO was
never known to falter when his country
called. one who stood manfully by the
Old Shin of State when she was rocked by
adverse waters; one who was Governor OF
his State and Senator of the United States,
was. the late Reuben E. Fenton, OF New
York.
Several Winters he spent in this house,
and the question was more than once
asked. How is it that our country can al
ford to law aside such men, those whose
dignity and high bred courtesy, whose
know LEDGE and eXl e-ience OF affairs would
do the country honor at home and abroad,
and whose sound judgment and watchfui
vigilance saved us when we were perish
ing?"
The late Senator Hale, OF Vermont, was
another representative man who was at
one time n member OF THIS houSehold E.
Mr. Hale took occasion at one time TO Scat1e
President Pierce from his seat IN the
Senate and afterwards attended a lcvee.
hs he annroacted President Pierce with a
lady on his arm. the President received
the lady with Craze, and then turned ms
hazel, ,,non the Senator. President Pierce
was a small man, and did not east much OF
a shadow over the Senator; notwitiistand-
inc. it created no little amusement among
the byStanderS.
Another person who has been familiar
frure in this homie, WIS the late Judge
Thomas Hood. HIS striking physique,
noble features, fhulttss dress, ruilled
shirts. spotlcss bfoa,lcaoth and dignified
manner stamped him is Il rare specimen
of the oid-Scho0l gentleman. he was a
man tender of heart and sympathetic in
his nature, q better friend to the world than
in himself n man WHO never left duty
undonc 10 serve Il friend. He was often
summoned for counsel by his friend Edwin
Stanton. when darkness hung over the
Nation. AIanfufiy would he Work To see
his friends provided for, while he barely got
the crumbs from the Nations table.
Who that has heard him recite in his
pathetic way. IL have Ships at Sea" does
not regret that after n life spent IN helping
others. without the talent Tor making Il
selfish stroke for himself, he could not nave
lived TO see the long looked for ship that
had been sighted. enter port? His APP
pointment for iudgeship was in his hands;
but ere he could qualify, when on the
threshold of an earthly future, full OF nope
and honor, he was suddenly called INTO the
mysteries of another world. HIS GENIAL
nature, his brilliant conversation. his re-
tentive memory made him to his frie'ds an
agreeable companion, and his memory Will
long be cherished.
Rev. DR.. Scott and daughter, Mrs. Scott
Lord with her daughters. the present Mrs.
BENJAMIN Harrison and Mrs. Parker, were
familiar figures in this household. When
the Nation called BENJAMIN Harrison to be
its Chief Executive. the reflex honor fell
upon this family as father, sister, and
nieces of Mrs. Harrison.
II is as refreshing as it is unusual to see
people called into the foremost rank of
social precedence who preserve the same
quiet nafected spirit, the same genial
and warm-hearted manner toward every
body. Not by look or deed did they betray
any change fortune may have brought.
Many literary people, who belong more
or less to the public, have at different
times found home under this roof. We
remember Oliver Johnson and his sweet
faced wife. the daughter of john 5. G.
Abbot. Mr.. Johnson's name brings up
multitude Of memories when his pen was
the sword that cut into the peculiar
institution" We see arrayed such men as
William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips,
Gerrit Smith and n line of others whose
sense of right and justice made them
strong TO do and bear, and suffer for the
right.
Later came c. C. Coffin known as "Carle
ton" the war correspondent who never
wrote a lie. He, with his wife, were the
first to make the tour OF the world, ana IT
was Mr. Coffin who laid out the line Of
fro oil for william, III Seward and his
party w.1en they took the same journey.
He has made patriots OF all the boys who
have read his Boys OF '6l.
And then the genial, whoie-souled Bron-
son Howard with his charming English
wife, steps upon the scene. With frank
ness. but extreme modesty, he will tell you
how characters materaliZe in his brain
and take their places in the drama, until
some Henrietta" with acts, and scenes,
and setting fair appears. They have
friends wherever they go.
Into this home George KEENAN, brought
his intellectual wife as a bride. This was
after he had written "I'ent Life in Siberia
but before his later travels, which made
him rich in Siberian lore. He has enter
tanned audiences here by the hour, gos
siping through the avenues OF his ex-
perience many Of them full OF the flowers
and the fragrance Of Il cultivated life.
OF the newspaper fraternity there might
be written fascinating volume. The
Washington correspondents, men and
women, by virtue OF their profession, by
uprightness and integrity, by judicious
judgment OF opportunities and chances for
information have the open sesame TO all
official circles, and the opportunity is not
limited to make acquaintanceship with
people of National reputation. Socially
they are always welcome in fashionable or
in home life.
We remember many, who, with their
intellectual wives, formed noble repre-
sentation of the newspaper guild OF this
country, each in his own way exerting n
wide and telling influence; which has
brought its reward lin professional prefer
ment and advancement,
Add TO this number the generous hearted,
noble souled Frank Palmer, now Public
Printer: and another, Miss JEANETTE Jen-
nings, n correspondent of marked ability a
writer wLo is always welcome, one to
whom the doors of officials are never closed,
from the White House to the homes of
Cabinet ministers, Judges of the Supreme
Court, Senators, Congressman and laymen
she is Il faithful conscientious deIinea-
tor of time and it's events: and Harriet
TAYLOR Upton, who gave to the world "The
Children of the White House," and a more
charming coterie Of knights of the Free
Lance it would be difficult to find.
1.-THE end.i