The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-05-20
A MODEL DOORKEEPER.


resentatives, man who had been indicted
and tried in the State of Kentucky, for a
little quartette Of crimes, viz: arson con-
spiracy, larceny and perjury. The discov-
cry was peculiarly notifying in the face
of recent Investigations. The derelict,
Mr.. Durham, representative from Ken
lucky, rose, on Monday last, to personal
explanation, confessed himself to have been
of Fitzhugh's counsel on the trial, but ex-
cused himself for having failed in making
known the real character of the man, that
he did not reach Washington until after
Fitzhugh's nomination in caucus. Was it
too late then? is the natural inquiry that
every one makes. Mr.. White, of the same
State, offered resolution declaring Fitz-
hugh an unfit person to hold such posi-
ton, and that the said Fitzhugh be forth
with dismissed from that office. Now, the
nation at large can have but one opinion
of such characters as the individual in
question. But the inevitable inquiry will
arise, why was the discovery of his real
character SO long delayed, and what in
spired the resolution of Dismissal That
Fitzhugh's character was sufficiently well
known months since is matter of COM
mon notoriety, and confessed by Mr.. Dur
ham himself. The real fact is that Fitz-
hugh's political record was SO eminently
satisfactory to the reform majority that no
question was raised as to his personal quail
ification for the responsible position to
which he was appointed. AS in the case
of his Confederate compeer, the late Clerk
of the Committee Of Ways and Means, the
incompatible DR.. Hambleton, of Wilkes
Booth notoriety, personal qualification was
subordinated to political record. Unfor-
tunately for himself, but fortunately for the
credit of the country at large, Fitzhugh is
a letter writer. Being of an exuberant
and communicative disposition, he, unwise-
ly, upon his success at Washington, wrote
an epistle, to a political friend in Texas
To this epistolary mistake, and to it alone,
he owes his downfall. Doorkeeper of the
House he was, and such would have re-
NAMED in spite of indictments for arson,
conspiracy, larceny aud perjury, until the
political doomsday of the majority itself,
now not very far distant, had he not, in a
fatal moment, penned his own official death
warrant. His personal record was worry
ing neither himself nor the " clam Ser
Gus members who "beseighed" him for
MI fhoi ~
was serene, and the Fitzhugh horizon un-
specked by cloud of trouble. His letter
bespeaks the condition of his mind. 1t is
the joyous cry Of happy Confederate,
"scenes of uuimagined metropolitan mag
nificence," and breathed in his own class
ical language, pardonable vanity when he
declared himself ga bigger man now with
I" the members than ole Grant," and for
whom (himself the Government furnishes
ga fine turnout and a spanking pair of
horses" and who had "more invitations
"to frolick with the members and Senators
ethan any man in Washington" Doubt
less he was truthful in all this. Indeed, so
popular had he become, and so "5esieghed"
that the members of the House would
SNAKE a break " for him whenever he put
his foot in their Hall. So warm had
the friendship waxed between himself and
the wit of the House, Sunset Cox, that the
latter had consented to "put head" on
a party ticketed for Texas, while the thin
Kerr of the Speakers chair took him into
the bosom of his family, where he readily
ingratated himself into the affections of
Mrs. Kerr, and became ga great favorte
"of hers" That things were done up in
'stile " we need not the assurance of his
words. No little "nig" in tow breeches
took his tile," but veritable "page, "
and white at that. Now, doubtless this
epistle to the Texans was all very impru-
dent and vulgar, nevertheless, had it never
seen the light of day, neither would his
disgraceful record have seen it. The letter
was the offense in the nostril Of the major.
ity, not the bad odor of the man himself.
1t was the bray of the ass, and not the
roar of the lion (Fitzhugh) that alarmed
the House. Others, worse than he, still
discreet silence. Fitzhugh, no worse to-
day than when appointed, becomes, by his
own vulgar indiscretion, scapegoat for
other rogues. They doubtless will profit
by his example and will speak instead of
writing their vulgarities. Fitzhugh was a
fair sample of the 'New House." "Turn-
ling him out is the sober second thought
"of it, which, like many second thoughts,
"came too late"
Despite his vulgarity and his crimes, this
man challenges some consideration at the
hands of his recent political friends, who
lifted him out of his social level merely be-
cause he was a representative Confederate
AS contribution to current political liter
allure his letter is gem in it's way. As
this was the straw that broke the back of
the Congressional camel, it should be pre-
served for the good it has done.
D. c., Deer. Is, ls75-DEAR:--I have been irving
ever since my election to write to you but have been
beseigled from light in the morning until
at night had about one hundred thirty appoint
ments 10 make have had reckon without exas era
tion three Thousand applications besides women
| children pulling Jerking every time | would put
head out the door Of my office. have had to keep
two nshers two to three clerks since hour OF
election in office it now five O'clock morn
ing that have gotten up write write you In re-
gard to- tried to save place for him but the members
clamerous for their constituents that fur it
has been impossible TO do my force after christmas
will be increased and then will be able do
for him & l will stick him in Fay =. Fitzhughs son
arrived on Saturday morning all safe set him work
Monday at &, 100 place he is the delighted
fellow You wish you could be here with me
do try come the Goynt furnishes with "A fine
turnout spanking pair of Horses before after the
| house sessions recess lave exclusive use of them
my coachnan comes down every morning for u.s. that
Fay myself and after driving around to my break
fast take me to my Office & I will give you &
good time Congress is invited to the Centen-
| al on friday, we will have big tme-conle back on
Sunday, may draw on You for hundred & twenty
five dollars tomorrow which you draw back for on
the LIST Jan, got your telegram telling to draw for
two hundred if needed but tried to do without any
and may not have TO draw tomorrow hut all of our
members are like myself tight mp fl st mo hate
to ask them, W come christmas for a few DAYS {
will have glorious time, have more invitations In