The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-05-16
MOrrissey i'm The House.

The death of John MorrIssey recalls to
mind his membership of the House ofRep-
resentatives in the Fortieth and Forty-frst
Congresses. He was not very regular in his
attendance upon the House, but there were
many who were worse. When in the
House he was the most digni6ed of men,
bers. He dressed very becomin gly in the
finest of broadcloth, and his personal ap-
pearance in every respect, except his bro
ken nose, was most unexceptionable. Will
somebody tell me why it is that gamblers
are the tidiest and best-dressed men in the
community? The fact have often noticed !.
The cause have searched for in vain.
John Morressey never longed upon the
sofas: he never hung his legs over the arm
of his chair; he never smoked cigars in the
hall; he never rested his big feet on his
desk, and he never INDUCED in boisterous
laughter in the hall. He would sit in his
seat for hours, neither reading nor writing,
but languidly watching the members and
listning to their speeches. He wever made
speech or motion in Congress that I can
recall, but he was always the first person
whom the visitor asked to have pointed out.
Ben Butler was always the second. Nor
ressey's autograph which was cramped and
unsteady, was also eagerly sought. His
wife and son were with him here one win
ter, and there was not in the whole city a
more lady-like-looking woman than Mrs.
Morrissey. She dressed with extreme ele-
gance, but made a vulgar display of big
diamonds. Morrissey nightly visited while
here the fam Gus Joe Halls gambling
house but he always satisfied himself by
drinking his brandy and water and play ing
rubber at whist with party of friends,
or game of Boston for small stake. He
drank heavily and ate richly while in
Washington, but he never drank in the
Capitol, He used to say that he came to
Congress in order that his boy, since dead,
might claim that his father was something
better than a gambler and a prize fighter,
but that since he came he had made up his
mind that there was very little choice. Nor
rissey made Colfax very uneasy after the
latter had been reelected Speaker. Nor
rissey sought him in the Speakers room
and laying box before Mr.. Colfax said
"Mr. Speakea, / have brought you The
best box of cigars in the United States. In
return want to ask you fovor in regard
to the committees. l want to tell you
where to put me-"
Colfax naturally enough thought thai
Morrissey wanted to go on ways and means
appropriations or perhaps the judiciary
as every ignoramus in Congress expected
one ofthose committees. Besides, Collar
appreciated the cigars, and did not want te
offend Morrissey, being possibly littls
afraid Of that "dexter fipper." so he said
in q very apologetic tone: "Well, Mr.. Nor
rissey, I should be very glad to oblige in
regard to the committees, but you will
understand that there are grest many old
members, and that the best places belong
by right to them. Still will see what
can do for you"
"Well Mr.. Speaker" answered Morriss
ey, II am pretty particular, but will a
any rate tell you what want. II thers i,
a committee that has no committee room
never has any business sent it and never
meets, / should like to be put on the tai
end Of that committee. How does it STRIKE
your"
"You relieve me wonderfully, Mr.. Nor
rissey. / Will put you on .ae committee