The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-03
Two Typical "Aunties."

Two OF the so-called former Repub-
licans who are most conspicuous in the
ranks Of the ant,-imperialists are John
b. Henderson and Carl Schurz. and
outside Of one instance in the state OF
washington, It would be difficult to
find political careers more picturesque
iy variegated than those which were
followed by each Of these gentlemen.
During portions Of the time when
George Turner, a carpet-bag United
States marshal. was engaged in help
ing to govern the people Of Alabama
without their consent" each OF these
two eminent anti-imperiallsts held
seats in the United States senate, re-
turned from state in which the great
majority Of the white male inhabitants
were disfranchised and were being gov
erned without their consent, by small
minority. who alone were permitted to
vote
John b. Henderson was originally a
Democrat, but always a bolter. He
bitterly opposed Pierce's adminIstra-
tion. after the presidents message on
the Kansas question. yet turned up as
a Buchanan elector in 1856. He was
a member OF the Charleston conven-
ton. but on the breaking out OF the
war Joined the Republican party. In
view Of his present singular and touch
ing devotion to the doctrine OF the con-
sent OF the governed and to the letter
OF the constitution. the manner OF his
securing a seat in the United States
senate Is OF interest. In 1861. the iegis-
Iature Of Missouri. by simple vote.
deposed the governor. Claiborne r.
Jackson, and appointed Gamble as pro-
visional governor. This action was en-
tireiyy without constitutional warrant
or precedent: was ordered by the mil
itary authorities, and was justified
solely as a war measure. This pro-,
visional governor appointed Hender-
son to the United States senate to sue
coed Tusten Polk. expelled for disloy-
atty. Henderson was elected to the
senate. at the expiration of his APP
poIntive term. by a Missouri legisla-
turc chosen In 1868, when half the able
bodied population of the state was In
the field under arms, when soldiers held
the polling booths and the majority
of the inhabitants were forbidden TO
exercise the franchise. lie bolted his
party on the question Of the impeach
ment of Andrew Johnson. and at the
expiration of his term retired 10 civil
life. He was in turns a nominal but
Inactive supporter of Greeley. Of Hayes.
OF Cleveland and OF Mckinley. and now
OF Bryan. In his state of Missouri.
which he rarely visits. save on legal
business. he Is the most cordially de-
tested man who ever set foot In Its
borders. His enormous wealth was ac-
quired by methods which impoverished
the people Of several counties. and
practically destroyed property values
! In those counties. He purchased FOR
a song county bonds issued in aid 81
| railroads which were never built. and
| which bonds the state courts had de-
cided were absolutely void. because OF
the complete failure OF the conditions
AS an 'fnnocen, purchaser" he
| had the dsrision % the courts reosenea.
the validity Of the bonds upheld, and
| he goes 70 the courts periodically 20
get mandates compelling the levy %
special taxes 30 pay his interest He
/ lives Ia Washington, in an elegant
mansion. and is a political dnettante
II IS doubtful whether ne has cast a
/ vote In thirty years.
Carl SohurE, who succeeded him as
/ United States senator from Missouri.
was casual sojourner in the state
when elecsesi 20 the senate By /. ieEy>-
latere. chosen without the consent %
/ the governed" whea more liberal
laws permitted the people Of the state
20 again govern themselves. he saw
that his political career a. a Rcpub-
lican was at an end in Missouri Hav-
ing Ia 1855 presided tsmporArl
the convention which nominated Grant.
in lS72 he raised the cry Of Imperial
ISM" protessed 20 believe tsat Grant
| contemplated declaring himself dc
tator, and led on In the Greeley move
ment presiding over the convention
which nominated Greeley for the prosl-
deney. lie failed then. as he will fail