Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-05-07
Al&fanoria 6ax&tte
MONDAY, MAY Z, 1877.
Ex.Att0rney Generals, s,POIiticiansaud
Journalists Kuined by Rums


Ex.Attorney Generals, Politicians and
Journalists Kuinea by Rums
visited the poor-housc 10 the eastern part
Of this city several days ago, and was struck
with the histories that are connected With some
Of its unfortunate inmates. AS many of the
men to whom will refer have friends here and
elsewherc, will not use any names. and will
coufne myself strictly to what is known to be
true. am satisfied that many of the men re-
ferred to would be better provided for it some
of their friends know of their presence there.
One of the first men that met upon entering
, was short, thick man With Websterian
head and a powerful voice. have known him
for many years as lawyer, and am pretty we'll
informed of his weakness, which is, 10 brief,
the too frequent indulgence in liquor.
Indeed that seems to be the trouble With all
the men who are now with him. The man /
refer to was at one time attorney general Of
Virginia. He stood very high as a lawyer.
One Of the lawyers who appeared before the
electoral commission as ''of COUNSEL for the
democratic party studied in the Office of this
man. Several Of the distinguished lawyers
whom | could mention have also been at one
time students 10 his Office. If | mistake not,
bis father was at one time Attorney General Of
the United States. He has been very wealthy
in his day. and is not by aoy means an old
man yet.
| Another man l saw there was considerably
! older. Whiskey was his weakness also. His
| history is long, but pointed. At one time one
of the judges Of the Supreme bench of the
State of California, he came to this city, soon
after the Inauguration OF Buchanan, at the re-
guest of John W. Foruey, to take the position
of collector Of the port Of San Francisco. He
| resi- goed his judgship to como here. Upon
arriving he called on Buchanan At this time
be had property ard money in bank amounting
to abou, $50 900. Something turned up which
prevented him from receiving the position. dc
did not desire to return u California unless he
secured the position, and, not securing It, be
never returned. Feeling disappointed, he took
10 drink. He loungcd about the hotels here
for ten years following, occasionally getting
claim through scme Of the departments and
drinking up the proceeds.
1t was not long before he had spent his last
dollar. For years be was supported by Col.
Thomas II. Florence, Of Philadelphia, Tho
widows friend, aud the most charitable man
who was ever in Congress. After the death OF
Col. Florence, severa! years soca, he had no
one to look after him, and finally a newspape.
him TO spend the remainder of his days in the
city almshousc, not beiug able, financially, to
take care of himself. Did use his name it
would be recognized by many as the name OF
the most eloquent man Of the West, and OF
one who was very prominent. and who was
valuable friend to many who visited the golden
shores during the gold fever Of l849.
Leaving him met mau that made mark
in Connecticut several years since. He was ap.
pointed special agent OF the Postofice Depart
ment by Governor Jewell, and, according to bis
own testimony before . committee of the
House il the spring of 1875, he did nothing 10
return but make political speeches throughout
Connecticut in favor OF the ''od man, as he
titled Jewell. This man vas ut one time worth
q great deal Of property here and IN Arkansas.
At Que time he was connected with the Uolted
States secret service, aud rendered some re.
markeble work 10 the way of breaking up gangs
Of countcrieltcrS, smugglcr5, ec.
Whiskey don't help any detective, and when
he took to his cups he had to give up bis
detective business While intoxicated 10 DER.
scy City, less than leo years ago, he gave
away" the details Of a case that would soon
have resulted 10 the capture OF two or three
hundred thousand dollars 10 counterfeit mouey,
presses plates, &c. 1t had cost the Govern
meut about five thousand dollars to get the TO-
formation that he gave away to one of the
parties who vas 10 be arrested. When 1t was
ascertaiued how the job failed. this man, who
was afterwards the advocate CT tho "old mau,
was retired from the detective service. Alter.
wards he became prominent as temperance
orator.
| have heard 4 great many temperance
speakers, and am free TO admit that be was
among the best. am sure that those who
heard him talk politics in Connecticut also
thought that he Was an excellent speaker
He has been in about month. tic Is 10
the workhousc side, and has about sixty days
yet to serve. 10 another brauch OF the instl
tuition found man who was at one tlne at
torney general of the State of North Carolina,
and at one time--not many years ago-beld
prominent legal position lu the Treasury De-
partmcn 1t is the same cid story. lie made
| many lreods and drank great deal OF whiskey.
Alter while be drank SO much that be ne
elected his profession and everything else. Tic
has been about this city for about twelve years,
and, except during the time ho has been uuder
lock and key he never drew sober breath.
| He is not paupsr now as he has large claim
sfore the Treasury Department. for cotton
taken during the war, he being Union mao,
that will some time bring him 10 a handsome
pile. He has borrowed great deal 90 1t and
has drank it all up. The principal reason tor
his being put where he now is is that nc stole
friends vest and sold it for Wbiskey.
| Another little, old, gray. haired man has a
history, which is too long to be now printed
| He resided 10 New jersey. When Stephen
A. Douglas travelled about the country making
speeches when he was running for the Pres'.
depcy, this man accompanied him, and always
made speeches upon the same stand, M'.
Douglas entrusted to him many of the details
Of his canvas, having unbounded confidence 10
him. He bet all the money be bad on Doug
las, and lost it. Afterwards he went into the
horse. racing business, and again failed. lie
then sold off his establishment aud drank the
proceeds. He has beeh receiver Of public
charities for several years, though in the sum-
mer.time he goes out and makes livlog as
morse doctor - Wash Cor. Hartford Times.