He was
Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, and carried through
to success, against odds and difficulties, an important tariff
bill. At one time he found the measure, which he had introduced,
overloaded and destroyed by amendments. He abandoned it in
disgust, declaring that it had been "nibbled to death by
pismires." But he afterward introduced the measure in another
form, and came off successful and triumphant in the end.
He was afterward sent abroad by General Grant to succeed Mr.
Motley. He got into trouble there by giving a letter of recommendation
which was unwisely used to promote an enterprise known as
the Emma Mine. He gave the recommendation, I have not doubt,
in entire good faith. The stock of that mine went down. The
investors lost their money, and great complaint was made that
he had used his official position to promote a fraudulent
scheme. He was compelled to withdraw from the Mission. He
was not recalled, but came home on leave of absence, and resigned
here. So he was not obliged to take formal leave. But the
stock of the mine afterward became exceedingly valuable,
and the public regretted the unjust judgment they had formed
about General Schenck.
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