New-York tribune., 1910-05-09

ward Tfce-President and Charles Sum-
ner. then Senators from Massachusetts,
found Mr.. Richards in Washington. He
had been badly wounded at Antietam and
was holding a minor place in the Postofflce
Department. His father had been a proIni-
nent member of the Massachusetts Leg
islature and the Senators from that state
took peculiar pleasure in providing place
for the young soldier He has bean pro-
NOTED four times since he entered the
Senate stationery room, one of these pro
motions being given uim by the Democrats
when they took control of the Senate for
the first time following the Civil War.
When the Democrats gained control the
Republican employees, in fear and trera-
bling lest they should be deposed. met the
ne.s secretary of the Senate. Yes, Mr..
Secretary said Richards. 'I am the sta
ttoneFy clerk, and that is ali / desire to
be-a stationary clerk
Has Seen Numerous Changes.
Six members Of The presen: Senate had
rot been born when Mr.. Richards began
his employment in the Senate. Not single
member OF the present Congress or of the
Supreme Court was then holding an official
position in Washington. The only living
ex-senator then q member Of the Senate is
John B. Henderson, Of Missouri, who still
makes his home in Washington
How does the Senate of to-day compare
with the Senate Of fifty years ago?' Mr..
Richards was asked.
When | took my position here in 1861
he replied. f'the Senate included in its n1enl-
bership such men as Charles Sumner ard
Henry Wilson. of Massachusetts John
Sherman and Benjamin F Wade. of Ohio !;
Zachariah Chandler. Of Michigan; Thomas
4. Hendricks. of Indiana William Pitt Fes-
senden. of Maine Jacob Collar4er. of Yer
mont. and Timothy c. Howe and James r.
Doolittle. OF Wisconsin. Il was the fashion
then TO say that the Senate was not what
it used to be. The same fashion prevails
now. In my opinion, the Senate is as strong
to-day as il has been at any time in its
history. I tbiIlk there are more good all
around men in the present Senate than in
any Senate IN the last fifty years
Air Richards has been personally ac-
ouainted with every President since Lincoln
As a boy he met John Quincy Adams, the
sixth President of the United States He
has a distinct recollection Of hearing Dan
fel Webster make political speech in the
Town Hall of Quincy Mass
In Close Touch with Senators
In his official position Mr.. Richards comes
tr close personal contact with all Senators,
as the Senate stationery room is q place
where Senators and members Of their fam
ilies make frequent purchases Senator
Roscoe Conkling was a frequent caller On
cne occasion he grew impatient and made q
remark which Mr. Richards resented u
rold him said Mr.. Richards. that he had
rot spoken as one gentleman should speak
70 another. He left immediately, and felt
certain that 1 would be asked TO leave the
next day. Much to my surprise Mr. Conk-
ling came TO rny room the following day
and apolosized, saying he had been too
hasty in criticising me. I felt that ought
10 be proud Of the fact that a man who re-
fused 20 apologize 10 James C. Blaine had
hETabled himself 10 ask my pardon
Mr.. Richards was at the White House on
the day that President Lincoln first met
General Grant. ! happened 20 be there on
some business and was in the Red Room
when somebody said that Grant was ex-
pected.'' Mr.. Richards said. II thought /