The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-06
some aunx stories.

of him who for a generation controll-
ed the party in the state seems to be
like an ever-bubbling spring. The man
was many-sided, and the New York
Evening Post has gathered some OF
the most readable stories, a. few of
which are reproduced:
From the neighborhood of Quay's
native town many of the traditions
of his youth have fioated into Wash
ington from time to time. His father,
Presbyterian clergyman, is said to
have once brought home a Bible and
toy sword, to see which the boy
of 6 years would choose. Matthew
heSitated not moment, but stretched
forth his hand for the sword, to the
good mans grievous disappointment.
The lad afterward shed a light upon
his motive which reconciled some other
members of the family by its evidence
of his business Sagacity. II took the
sword" he explained because 1 knew
father would give me the Bible any
way"
After he learned to play cards he
acquired a pack from somewhere,
wrapped them in paper and hid them
carefully in the inside pocket of his
jacket. That evening his mother de-
lANClCu llIllC ldlh DIT Tic I0d ldDlG
about the evils of gambling; and as
soon as he could slip quietly out of
doors he felt for his paper package
and threw it over a fence into the tall
grass. Then he returned to the house
lighter hearted; but at bedtime he was
badly frightened by hearing a bundle
drop out of his pocket, and, on OPEN
ing it, discovered that it was this
pack of cards. AS soon as it was
laurhf Ia A1I
supposed he had got rid of his peril
Gus load, but found that what he had
thrown away was a Testament which
his mother had wrapped in paper and
put surreptitiously into his pocket as
surprise. This looked like foreordi-
nation, and made a deep impression
on his youthful mind
About the time that the newspapers
which had resolved to drive Quay out
of politics were formulating their
worst charges of theft, debauchery,
etc., against him the question of open
ing the Chicago Worlds Fair on Sun
day became acute, and Quay put his
foot down fatty against 1.-The desecra-
ton of the Christian Sabbath" Even
his collea que, Don" Cameron, whose
sense of humor was not unduly keen,
could not resist the incongruity. A
Chicago correspondent in Washington
approached Cameron one day with the
question whether he found many of
his constituents interested in the is
sue.
Yes" answered Cameron, IT get a
good deal of mail about it. Some few
Pennsylvanians want the gates open
ed; but the vast majority of my cor
respondents urge me to stand for true
morality, and back up Quay in his
fight for Cod
Some of Quay's idiosyncrasies were
peculiar for their apparent defiance of
the usual parallelism in traits of char
acter. In spite of his seeming cold
bloodedness, he was a most affectionate
man among his friends, of whom there
we're only a few he really cherished
One OF these was GeoI &c G.. Vest OF
Missouri, whose antecedents. DISPOSE
ton. training and political views were
all so utterly opposed to his own that
there did not seem to be anything in
common between the two men. Yet
for years they were inseparable. 1t
WAS in connection with Quays contest
fer a seat in the Senate on appoint
meat of the Governor of Pennsylvania
that the only estrangement between
himself and Vest occurred. Vest, when
il came to the crisis, could not let his
personal sentiment overcome his loyal
ty TO the constitution as he interpreted
il, and accordingly voted not to admit
Quay.
Senator Hannas case was different
Here was a man who, by general con-
sent. would have been looked to as a
natural companion of Quay, owing ia
their partisan affiliation. like views OF
political matters. etc. Hanna had nc
constitutional scruples, having voted 70.
Corbett's admission a few months be-
fore; but he left Washington impaired
equivalent to casting his vote against
Quay-on the candid ground that he
would rather not have such man in
the Senate. Mathew S. Quay" said
Hanna, II consider about the highest
priced luxury the Republican party
ever enjoyed" Quay never had occa-
sion to lock horns with Hanna. but he
always remembered that remark and
the impaired absence. He never forgave
Hanna.
1t was but step from the headship
OF the state machine to the headship
of the national machine, and 1888 found
Quay in charge of the Harrison cam
paign for President. It was through
The Senator's influence that John Wan
anaker was brought into the cabinet as
Postmaster General: but when Messrs.
Harrison and Wanamaker declined to
do his bidding in certain matters he
| dec Jared were essential he severed rela-
items with both o: them, and was one
CT the little group of Senators who
plotted to throw Harrison when the
latter came up for denomination at
Minneapolis in 1892. The cabal made a
very loud noise and frightened the
PARTY at large severely, but they did
not succeed in nominating Mr.. Blaine,
am: had to retire from the field in de-
feat, as Mr.. Harrison had to also few
| months later. 1t was at the time OF
their fatal break that that noteworthy
conversation is reported to nave taken
place between President and Senator,
where the latter, in sneering tone, ex-
| claimed: Perhaps you forget, Mr..
President, who made you what you
are?"
mo. do not" answered Mr.. Harri-
son, sharply. ut was not you who
made me President of this nation; it
was God"
"All right" retorted Quay. ''Wait till
| God makes you President again!"
--S-o-S