The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-04-29
SPRINGER'S WITNESS IN.(SEINE).

Imagine the misfortune of an ambitious
Congressman, doomed to pass his days in
the dull routine of investigating the man.
agement of Government lunatic asylum,
in which dreary business, unrelieved by the
promise of a political sensation, his pre-
cious time drags YEARLY on. Such, until
Monday last, was the unenviable position
of Mr.. Springer, of illinois, the respecta-
BILE chairman of the committee on Expendi-
lures in the Interior Department. 1t is not
too much to say that Springer was restless
and disappointed in the barren fields in
which he labored for his countrys good.
Clymer, compared to him, was a thrice
blessed man. Envied of his colaborers in
the rich fields of Congressional iuvestiga-
ton, luckless Cabinet minister caught in
the tolls of his unerring net, was the un-
happy witness of his political prowess
Clymer had reaped the rich reward of Belk-
maps exposure, and Springer shed bitter
tears over his i'll luck in the solitude of his
insane asylum. Fortune had vouchsafed
even to Glover and his committee 4 God
send, in the shape Of the epicurean Kill
bourne, in whose contumacy the avenging
chairman had ample opportunity to display
his party patriotism by consigning the un-
repentant Hallet to the gloom of the Con-
gressional "bastile." But springer's des-
tiny was awaiting him in an unexpected
sensation. The dark clouds that o'erhung
the national capital on Monday, had a sill
yer lining for Springer. At an early hour
on that momentous day, numbers of Demo
cratic congressman were astir. That some
thing unusual was about to transpire, was
evident from the hurried whispers and self
important air Of members, whose solemn
manner foreboded ill to some one. Enter
prising and curious correspondents, for once
at least, interviewed Congressman in vain,
the mysterious Springer baffled all inquiry,
committee men were summoned to be early
in their room, and the expectant crowd,
barred outside, passed long hours of harass-
ing suspense. At last whisper came.
The President! The President. In the
lugubrious language of the New York
World, "the most melancholy news which
had ever fallen to his lot to lay before the
public" was about to startle the nation.
particularly the Democratic portion of it.
Like Clymer before the Senate, with his
head bowed down with the weight of Dem.
ocratic woe, and las uoiee full Of tears, the
affected Springer challenged the story of the
Presidents crime from the unwilling wit |
ness. His tale was doleful and humble.
ga person high in station had done him |
a great injury. To prevent it being known,
that person high in station had tracked |
him (the witness) with Government detec-
tives, and had hurried him to mad house.
There he was kept for months, until the
dreadful alternative was placed before him
to remain imprisoned for life, or become an
exile in Europe. With unusual good sense
he preferred life abroad. Tired of this.
however, he had returned to tell his tale
for springer's glory and the good of the
Democratic party"
This humble recital struck the commit
tee dumb with amazement. Springer him.
self sat speechless, the living personifica-
tion of demoniac joy. "Who? who?''
cried he of the placid tale-bearer, "was
this person high in stations ." "The Presi-
dent of the United States was the star
ling answer. Happy moment of happier
opringer's existence. How sympathizingly
bis eye beamed on the injured witness.