The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-21

the military career of incompetence, boast
ing and failure"
General Buffers career after the war is
then taken up. and one passage contains
this sentence: II repeat what / said or
General Butler IN his lifetime, when he was
at the height of his power. with a full
knowledge OF his vindictive character, that
the success of his attempt to use and con-
solidate the political forces of Massachu
sets would have been the corruption OF her
youth. the destruction of everything valua-
BILE In her character, and the establishment
at the mouth of the Charles river of an
other New York with its frauds, Tweed
rings and scandals.
BUFFERS RELATION WITH GRANT.
Discussing Buffers relations with General
Grant Mr.. Hoar says: II do not suppose
that the secret OF the hold which General
Butler had upon General Grant will ever
be disclosed. Butler boosted in the lobby
of the House of Representatives. that Grant
would not dare to refuse any request of his
because he had in his possession afiidavits
by which he could prove that Grant had
been drunk on seven different occasions.
This statement was repeated to Grant by
member of the House, who told me of the
conversation. Grant replied without mani
Testing any indignation or belief or disbelief
In the story: L have refused his requests
several times. In the case of almost any
other person than President Grant such an
answer would have been a confession of
the charge. But it ought not to be SO taken
his full confidence the person who was
speaking TO him he was in the habit of re-
ceiving most important communications
with entire silence or with some simple
sentence which indicated his purpose to drop
the subject My own belief is that at some
time during the war, or before the war in
times or encouragement, Grant may have
been in the habit of drinking freely and
may at some time have done so to excess.
During the whole time Of his presidency
i had q good opportunity to observe him
II WA ia liar yxyirh
many men who were constantly in his COM
pany at all hours of the day and often far
was no foundation for any imputation that
he was In the habit Of drinking to excess
then. IL at any time he had formed such
that l think he is entitled to greater honor
than IL he had never yielded to temptation
My explanation of Buffers influence over
Grant 10 TO some extent conjecture. But L
believe Grant thought him a powerful poll
teal leader and that he was entitled 70
respect as representing the opinions of large
numbers or men. Beside that Butler had
great Influence over some ambitious men
who were his confederates and over some
umid men who were afraid OF him. Their
influence with Grant was on Buffers side.
Then Grant was apt, as L have said in
another place. to sympathize with men who
were bitterly attacked, especially men who
because such charges were made against
him. SO. without undertaking to explain
Buffers influence with Grant, / content
~
II. He led Grant to make some very bad
appointments In Massachusetts, which were
totally repdgnant to the feeling of her peo-
pie But for those appointments in my
opinion the strong objections felt by her
people to giving any President OF the
United States a third term would not have
prevented her supporting him for renomi-
nation in 1880. support which would have
insured his success
THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
In a chapter 1.-THE Senate in 1877" Mr.
Hoar says: The reform OF the civil sery-
ice has doubtless shorn the office of SEN
| ator of good deal OF its power 1 think
President Mckinley. doubtless with the
best and purest intentions, did still more
to curtail the dignity and authority of the
| office. i dare say the increase in the num-
| Der OF senators has had also much to do
| with it. President Mckinley, with his great
wisdom and tact and his delightful indi-
vfdual quality, succeeded in establishing an
influence over the members of the Senate.
not, think. equaled from the beginning of
| the government, except. possibly. by An
| drew Jackson. And while the strong will
| OF Jackson subjugated senator's in many
cases. as IL did other men, yet IL reused an
ponents. but In many important men OF
| his own party, which would have over
thrown him.. but for his very great popu-
larity with the common people. President
Mckinley also made one serious mistake,
OF which. indeed, he did not set the ex-
ample. Yet he made what was before but
an individual and extraordinary instance,
a practice. IL that practice continue. II
wiz 90 far. In my Judgment TO destroy the