The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27
A STORY OF Conscience.
Senator Vest Did Not Vote For sena-
tor Quay, Yet it Did Not End
Their Friendship.

George Barton IN Philadelphia PresS.)
This is a story Of conscience. Senators
Quay and Vest for years were the Damon
and PythiaS of the senate. Il fact that
tends to prove that oppOsites really 90
make congenial companions. No two men,
apparently. can furnish more pronounced
contrasts than these two senator's. QUAY
northern man; Vest from the south.
Quay pronounced Republican and up
holder Of protection; Vest dyed-in-the-
wool Democrat and believer iu free trade;
Vest proud of the fact that he fought for
the Confederacy. But given two fishing
lines and pot Of bait anu these veterans
experience that one touch OF nature
which makes the whole world akin.
A few years ago, as a result Of the
fierce fractional fight in Pennsylvania,
Quay reached Washington with a certiu-
cate OF appointment 70 the senate from
the governor Of the Keystone state The
legislature had been deadlOcked; tn,
question Immediately arose in the United
states senate: Is the appointment constr
tutiOnal? The lawyers in the upper
house Of congress debated the PROPOSE
ton for weeks; the practical senators
counted noses, lt was admitted by both
sides that it was a neck-and-necl< contest
that a single vote would decide the
issue. At that time ii was asserted ana
believed that If Quay were not seated it
litical supremacy. The Quayites claimed
Vest, as a matter Of course.
The Missouri senator had been very
III, and IL was feared would MT be m
his seat when the vote was taken. on
the morning Of the fatefuI session the
green baize doors of the senate were
pushed open, and Vest, looking haggard
and worn, was assisted 70 his place.
Surely the issue must be momentous TO
bring a man from his sick bed The
roll call proceeded amid the most intense
interest Every senator was In his place
keeping tab on the vote. On the surface
"a constitutional question was to be Ge-
cided: beneath il the career of the most
criticised and most rnasterful politician
. a Hanna
pushed leader of the opposition. WIS i'll
at ease; PeurOsc, captain Of the Qua =
forces, making great show of conf
dence. was filled with doubt The names
were called in alphabetical order and the
clerk was near the eld Of the roll IL
was q tie.
Amid Misunderstanding silence every man
in the chamber almost at the same in
slant realized that Vest would have the
deciding vote. Would he vote Yes 10
accept the questioned credentials OF rs
Mr.. Vest called the CLERK, with
mOnOtOnous draWl.
Every eye was turned in the direction
Of the Missouri senator He sat motion
| less unheeding the call.
Mr.. Vest" repeated the clerk, in a
rising voice. as If piqued at the physical
effort to call name twice.
Once more every eve turned toward the
veteran from the south. and every ear
was strained 70 hear his response. lie
half rose in his seat. and then in a voice
Q ---N-- % ---t-fNa e+f-~- ~------t----1 ~ So
Il vote NO"
Then the man who could not overcome
i his constitutional convictions sank back
q in his seat exhausted and the wires
flashed forth the news that his bosom
friend had met with disaster. Quay s
partisans were furious. but Quay's voice
was silent and his face inscrutablc Only
/ once he spoke and that was 90 bid a man
l who was abusing Vest to be silent
I That was the act OF the drama that was
/ only half seen and not understood by the
/ public. But its sequel was truly Quay
I like TWO years later the Pennsylvania
I Legislature reelected Quay to the senate.
His journey TO the national capital was
/ like a triumphal tour Flowers were
dumped into the senate by the wagon
} load. Quay followers packed the gal
leries. He took the oath calmly. possibly
I with an inward feeling Of eiatI0u over his
victory. but after that disappeared in q
most mysterious manner. Admirers who
wanted To give a dinner were nOnplused.
When he returned four or five hours later
Q member of his family Inquired anxious
/ Is.
Where have you been Your friends
have been looking for you everywhere.
{ II have been taking dinner with an
old friend. he said quietly.
/ who was itT'
Quay shifted about like a scnoolboy
I about TO De scolded- and said with jus,
touch Of defiance.
/ tlt was my friend Vest
/ And 80 IL Wds. and the friendship 81
many, many years stlll continues.