Sumner. To all I made the same reply. I said: "I am not
pledged to elect Mr. Sumner, I am not pledge to defeat him. The
subject is in the control of the Legislature." I did, however, delay
making removals and appointments and upon the ground that the election
or defeat of Mr. Sumner would affect the appointments to office in the
State.
Mr. Cushing had a violent prejudice against shoemakers. Under the
coalition, Wilson became president of the Senate, Amasa Walker,
Secretary of the Commonwealth, John B. Alley, a Senator, and member of
the Council, all shoemakers, or interested in the shoe and leather
trade. In addition to these there were many persons of prominence and
influence in the party who were in the same business. The "shoe towns"
generally supported the Free-soil Party. One morning I received a call
from Mr. Cushing, before I had taken my breakfast. Evidently he had
had a conference with the leading "hunkers" who had deputed him to
state their case to me. After considerable conversation, which perhaps
was not satisfactory to Mr. Cushing, he put this question to me, and
with great emphasis: "What I wish to know, Governor, is whether this
State is to be 'shoemakerized' or not?" With a laugh I said, "General,
I cannot tell, whether it is to be 'shoemakerized' or not." Upon this
the general left.
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