SCHUYLER COLFAX

Here are the answers to the questions we posted pertaining to Schuyler Colfax:

First question: Why is there a sketch of Schuyler Colfax included in the Bullis Collection book, A Person History of Ulysses S. Grant: with a portrait and sketch of Schuyler Colfax by Albert D. Richardson (published in 1868). Perhaps because he served as a long-term member of Congress and was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.  In the ending pages of his book, Richardson heaped great praise on Colfax with these words:

"He is now in his third term as Speaker. No abler presiding officer ever sat in the chair of the House....Despite the bitterness of our recent contests, opposition members usually join unanimously at the close of a session in voting him thanks for his invariable impartiality." (page 559)

Second question: Who was Schuyler Colfax? In addition to being a member of Congress, he  was also the 17th vice president of the United States, serving from 1869 to 1873 under President Ulysses S. Grant.  Again quoting from Richardson's sketch:

"In May, 1868, a national republican convention at Chicago unanimously nominated him for the second place on the ticket with Grant...It was the greatest personal triumph ever achieved in such a body." (pages 559-560)

And yet with this admirable background, Schuyler Colfax was not chosen as President Grant's second-term vice president. Various historical sources indicate that Colfax left office under a cloud, involving the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad. A sad ending to what now appears to have been a successful career in public service.

You can read the entire sketch when you stop by the Bullis Room.