Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1867-01-17
JOHN MORRISSEY .
A C0aversat ion with himA-His Counec
ton with Commodore Vanderbilt.


ton with Commodore Vanderbilt.
Last night, while seated in the Fifth avenue
hotel, gentleman approached me and said he
desired to introduce to me the Hon. John Nor:
rissey. invred him to be seated and conversed
with him for considerable length of time, upon
various questions and found him to be q remark
able courteous and polite gentleman, well in
formed; and, while he shows by his conversation
that he lacks the advantages of an early educa-
ton, he is in many respects remarkable man.
His strong points lie in his. manly candor and
strong common sense. He conversed about him.
elfwith unusual frankness, and answered cour-
,teously all questions that were propounded to
him by the gentlemen present. He said that he
had no idea of becoming a candidate for Con.
gress when the newspapers first announced his
name, but that so much had been said against
him by certain newspapers that he concluded to
become a candidate and show them that not
withstandlng their opposition he could be nom-
mated and elected.
After his nomination, many Of his friends came
to him aud advised him to close up his gambling
houses and abandon all business of that charac-
ter. He replied "that if elected, he must be ia
ken as he was" He had made up his mind that
in case he was successful, he would abandon the
business; but he kept his own counsel. "Now."
said he, ~ am a member of the Fortieth Con-
gress, and after the first of January, 1867 shall
cease to be connected in any manner with gamb-
ling, no matter whether in stock, gold or with
cards." This be considered duty he owed biz
family, bis constituents, and society, ..
Upon being asked by gentleman. IA to bo,~ be
came to get into the good graces of Vanderbilt.
nc replied mat ID .he spring.of 1885,. he had been
g but short time in Wall street, and
was caught In one of vanderbilt's operations
HARLEM, by which he lost $50, 900. He had
but 100000, which he paid and gave his notes
to Vanderbilt's broker for the remaining $40, 900
This was in the spring of the year, just as he was
getting ready to leave for Saratoga.g
He had but $780, all told, and that was not
sufficient to commence business (gamblipg) there
He knew Vanderbilt but slightly, and one morn
ing he called at Vanderbilt's stables, and found
that gentleman just going out to ride Wander
bilt spoke to him and said, 'iJoln, they tell me
you lost heavily in Harlem. How much did you
loseY' Mr.. Morrisscy replied, "About $50, 900
all have in the world. l am now going to
Saratoga, and merely want to say I have not
come here to cry or make poor face; only wish
when you have something good that you will o.
low me to come in.
Vanderbilt said, 'Well, come and sec me fire.
quently. want to talk with you. But how
will you go to Saratoga without mcaus?"
Morrssey-'I will borrow some up the coun-
try" 49,.
ooh! never mind that Come and see me. !
will loan you $50, 0oO," said Vanderbilt and he
drove off. .
He was as good as his word, and loaned Nor
rIssey the money, refusing to take even a note,
merely remarkng, ''If your word is not good
your note is certainly of no account
After Fanderblt's arrival at Saratoga Norris
sey found him upon several occasions at his sta
BILE looking at "A remarkably fine horse he ownrd
and for which he bad been several times offered
$4,000 One morni 6 Mr.. Vanderbilt asked
him what he would take for him. lie replied
'that he was not for sale; but il he would ac-
cept of him, he was welcome to the horse as a
present" .'Had sold the horse to Mr.. Vauder-
bilt for n round sum, he would at once have con-
cluded that had no gratitude, and merely de-
sired his acquaintance for selfish purposes" ad-
ded Mr.. Morrissey. This was the common &c.
ment OF their acquaintance which is continued
up to this time. During the winter of 1862 SO
they formed the memorable corner in Harlem.
which fairly shook the foundations otWall stree
aud overwhelmed many of its most daring ope.
rators with financial ruin. The operation saws
money-making operation, but il was done TO
punish number of stock and railroad mon who
had attempted to depreciate the Harlem road,
(Which is principally owned by Vanderbilt and
run down its stock; they at the same time being
recipients of hvors from Vanderbilt, who learn
ed that they were all "short of Harlem'' for
large amounts.
Vanderbilt at one time contemplated putting
the stock up to 81, 900 per share, which he hap
the power to do, and thus break every man who
''was short of it," but that would yield no prof
and Morrisscy finally persuaded him not to do
SO, but to allow it to remain at a figure where
they could collect the difference.
Mr.. Vanderbilt MAYER forgives any person wb q
tries to depreciate his property, and whenever
will do it severely. There is no let up about
him after he once Commences.
Morrissey seemed to understand aud appre-
ciate the position in which he is now placed
He was poor uneducated boy when he came
here, and fell in with fremen, local politicians
and gamblers. lie had done the best he could
aud said he had always been fair between man
and man. lie had been prize fighter and
gambler, but he could not help that now. He
would make no promises fer the future, but did
not intend that his friends should have cause to
regret his future conduct and course of life.--
Cincinnati Commercial. "
Especial Dispatch to tie BIltimors Sun.)
The Colorado Legislature Against