The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-12-03
HOAR' SAUT0al9GRA
Senator's Recollections Of Max
ers of American History.
BLAIHE's REPUTATION EULoeIzED

Venerable Statesman Says the For
mer Secretary of state Acted In a
Great Way Under Great HesponAi-
bnIties-severe Structures on Ben
Iamia f. ButIer-The English Mis-.
sion Twice onered TO the Senator.
Senator George +. Hoar's "Autobiog
raphy Of Seventy Years issued by
Charles Scribners Sons, is an interest
ing contribution to the political history
of the country, embracing, as it does,
his personal recollection Of most Of the
leading actors in it. says the New
York World.
In the chapter on reconstruction Mr..
Hoar says.
1T was the desire Of many Republic
an leaders, especially Of Mr.. Sumner
and General Grant, that there should
be provision at the national charge
for the education Of all the citizens in
the southern states, black and white,
so far as the states were unable or un-
willing to afford it. 1t was never con-
templated by them TO give the right to
vote to large number Of lliterate citi-
zens without ample provision for their
education at the public charge"
Mr.. Hoar thus speaks Of James G..
Blaine
James g. Blaine was a man Of
many faults and many inhrmities, but
bis life is a part Of the history Of his
country. 1t will be better for his repu-
tation that the chapter Of that history
which relates TO him shall be written
BY a historian with q full and clear
sense OF those faults and inirmities.
coneealing nothing and extenuating
nothing But also let him set naught
down in malice, Mr.. Blaine was
brilliant and able man, lovable, patri-
otto, far seeing, kind He acted in a
great way under great responsibilities.
He was wise and prudent when wis
dom and prudence were demanded"
In a chapter on Benjamin F. Butler
Mr.. HoaF says:
His military career was, with the ex-
eeption have stated (the war admin
istration of New Orleans, disgraceful
to himself and unfortunate 10 the coun-
try. From the beginning of Buffers
recruiting for the war wherever he
was ia command came rumors Of jobs,
frauds, trading with rebels through the
The lines and the putting Of unfit per
sons in responsible positions"
Discussing Buffers relations with
General Grant, Mr. Hoar says:
Il do not suppose that the secret OF
the hold which General Butler had
upon General Grant viii ever be dis
closed. 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
affidaYits by which he could prove that
Grant had been drunk on seven differ
ent occasions. This statement was re-
peated TO Grant by a member of the
house, who told me Of the conversation.
Grant replied. without manifesting any
indignation or belief or disbelief in the
story, have refused his requests sew.
eral times My own belief is that at
some time during the war Or before the
war, in times Of 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 had good opportunity
to observe him I'm personal intercourse.
l was familiar with many men who
were constantly in his company at all
hours of the day and often far into the
night They assured me that there
was no foundation for any imputation
that be was in the habit Of drinking to
excess then If at any time he had
formed such a habit be had put it I'M
der his feet For that think he is en-
titled to greater honor than if be had
neFer yielded to temptation. My ex-
PLANTATION Of Buffers influence over
Grant is to some extent conjecture, but
| believe that Grant thought him a
powerful political leader"
In chapter on "The Senate In 1ST7'
Mr.. Hoar says:
THE reform Of the civil service has
doubtless shorn the Office of senator Of
good deal of its power.
Il think President Mckinley, doubt
less with the best and purest inten
lions. did still more to curtail the dig
nifty and authority Of the office" This
was by "the appointment Of members