.

This affair created feeling in the Senate which it is difficult
now to realize, but it was decided in a Republican caucus, in which
there was an honest difference of opinion. We foresaw, whichever
way it should be decided, that it would create--and it did create
--bad feeling among Senators, which existed as long as Mr. Sumner
lived. I think it proper to make this statement of my own views
at the time, though by the happening of great events this incident
has almost passed out of memory.

Mr. Sumner died in Washington, March 11, 1874. He was distinguished
for his literary attainments, and his strong opposition to the
institution of slavery and his severe arraignment of it. The brutal
attack made upon him by Preston S. Brooks created profound sympathy
for him.

CHAPTER XXIII.
SOME EVENTS IN MY PRIVATE LIFE.
Feuds and Jealousies During Grant's Administration--Attack on Me
by the Cincinnati "Enquirer"--Reply and Statement Regarding My
Worldly Possessions--I Am Elected to the Senate for the Third Term
--Trip to the Pacific with Colonel Scott and Party--Visit to the
Yosemite Valley--San Diego in 1872--Return via Carson City and Salt
Lake--We call on Brigham Young--Arrival Home to Enter Into the
Greeley-Grant Canvass--Election of General Grant for the Second
Term.

I have purposely followed the legislation of Congress on financial
questions until the passage of the act of 1873, passing over other
events in my personal history and that of President Grant.

It can hardly be said that we had a strictly Republican administration,
during his two terms. While Republicans were selected to fill the
leading offices, the policy adopted and the controlling influence
around him were purely personal. He consulted but few of the
Senators or Members, and they were known as his personal friends.
Mr. Conkling, by his imperious will, soon gained a strong influence
over the President, and from this came feuds, jealousies and
enmities, that greatly weakened the Republican party and threatened
its ascendency. This was a period of bitter accusations, extending
from the President to almost everyone in public life. During the
entire period of Grant's administration, I was chairman of the
committee on finance of the Senate, and had to act upon all questions
of taxation, debt, banking or finance, and had occasion to talk
with the President upon such measures, but he rarely expressed any
opinion or took any interest in them. His