The Washington herald., 1908-03-01
Rr GEoRGE c. HENNrNG.

O4ctdJoFlal 10 thelr teIoW-SenatOrS-
On the contrary, Mr. Hunter. OF Vir-
ginia, always had a frank and open
countenance
Sitting on a stone intended for the SEN
ate wing, yet unfinished, one day with
Jesse D. Bright, Of Indiana, discussing
public affairs. Mr., Hunter exclaimed:
BY -, Bright. these departments have
sent in estimates for the next fiscal year
OF s6OOOO.OcO. But we will cut it S1O-
OOc.O0O."
It was cut.
The most pleasant speaker ever heard
was Mr.. Benjamin. OF Louisiana. He had
a silvery voice and his demeanor 70 his
brother Senators was that Of a gentle
man.
Mr.. Green, of Missouri. was one OF the
fine orators in the Senate. His unfortu-
nate habits shortened his public life.
One Of the measures OF the compromise
OF 1850 was fixing the boundary line be-
tween Texas and New Mexico In the
course OF his three days speech on this
subject Mr.. Clay said:
L may say, Mr.. President that there
is an opposition amounting to aversion
on the part OF the people OF New Mexico
20 q union with Texas"
At this point ne was interrupted by
Mr. Rusk
'only. sir, on the part of oficeholders
and army followers who have attempted
10 mislead the population"
"Ah! sir" said Mr. Clay. II am sorry
to say that New Mexico Is not the only
place where Of1ceholders and army fol-
lowers comprise the majority OF the popu-
lation."
The best likeness OF Mr.. Clay / have
seen was that on the gold medal pre-
sented TO him by the Corporation OF New
York in bas relief.
Mr.. William r. Smith. a member Of
the House OF Representatives. from Ala
bama, achieved a notoriety by voting
against a resolution in 1851 70 invite Kos
suth to the floor Of the House. He was
known thereafter as Anti-Kossuth Smith.
Mr. Smiths wisdom was justified by
after events When Kossuth returned 10
Hungary TO enjoy the fruits Of his mis-
sion here and become reconciled to the
the resolution regretted H.
Mr. Smith came again as member
after the reconstruction. He married a
daughter OF William Easily! commissioner
OF public buildings.
Alexander H Stephens. Of Georgia. was
noted for HIS ability TO debate Few
members cared TO antagonize him. He
met one. however. worthy Of his steel in
Henry Winter Davis, on an occasion IN
the House Of Representatives.
II was give and take. / could not tell
which had the oest OF it. II was very
interesting.
There was one thing that impressed me
with Mr. Davis character He could have
saved the lives of the piug-uglies. who
murdered Police Sergeant Jourdan. by
request TO the governor of that State.
But ne refused TO do SO though strongly
urged by the parties who elected him 70
Congress
Senator ingalls,. Of Kansas. was an in
cisive speaker. and interesting. II he was
not attacking you. His colleague Mr..
Plumb. was a good speaker. but OF a
different type.
In eritieising some views had publish
cd on the issue or currency by the na-
tional banks. Mr.. Ingalls, sent me Ions
letter. which, in part. follows:
Il think your plan would prove totally
Ineffective. There is no necessary connec-
tion between the national banking sys-
tenn and a supply of currency. And I
think I may say the American people will
never enlarge national banking functions
in the matter OF currency. I am making
a statement that is amply justified bv
the present condition Of public opinion
and the manifest determination OF Con-
gress during the last seven or eight
years.
In my judgment, also. the national
banking system as a system of discount
and deposit is doomed. This / say with
regret. The system ought 10 be so ad-
justed that it can remain as one OF dis
count and deposit alone. in which rela-
ton II would be one Of the greatest posei- ]
bic benefit to the country
Those who speak for it are so IN
willing 10 give up the privilege of issuing
currency that they seem determined TO
destroy the system rather than perpetuate
II In the most useful form"
Is Saul among the prophets?
Gen. Sam Houston. OF Texas. was a
well-known and imposing figure. Though
standing six feet two in his stockings.
he added 20 his height by wearing boots
with tWo-inch heels.
He explained TO me that was because
high heels were more comfortable. and
gave an Illustration that an old horse
would go TO sleep standing with his
head down hill, but never up hill That
is true; but a man isn't horse.
Gen. Thomas j. Green. OF South Caro-
lima. In his history Of the Mier expedi
tion, has scathing criticism OF Gen.
Houston ! have never heard Gen Hous-
tons side Of the matter.
I congratulated Mr. John Randolph
Tucker on his tariff speech as the best
I had read. I think Mr. Tucker was
gratihed by my commendation. at least
he so expressed himself
I called his attention to one important
point he had Omitted-that the inevitable
result OF protection was 70 import the
pauper himself instead of his labor
In 1883 Congress passed an act TO in
vite foreign immigration which I think
was never repealed. This is interesting
IN view Of the recent attempts TO pre-
vent IT,
I first met Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. with
other Virginia delegates, at the Baltimore
convention which nominated Horace
Greeley for the Presidency. ! told several
CT these gentlemen. after the nomination
that they had made a mistake. as no
principle would be asserted bv his elec