Connecticut western news., 1878-05-09
THE LATE JOHN MORRIsSEY.
Some Incidents in the Life of n Peculiar
 Man.

iNIe OenaCor John Morrlssey, consider ing his position in private life, managed to take so strong hold upor the voters of New York city. The following will explain how he was in the habit of ap- pealing to his constituents While run hing the first time for Congress attacks were made upon Morrissey that he had been guilty ot burglary and other of fences" In answer to these attacks he published communication, from which we clip as follows :-
 It IS duty not only to myself, but to the people of the Fifth Congressional district, for whose support I am can- didate, that I should state the facts. When l was boy, but sixteen years of age, and few friends were engaged ln an altercation with party of young men, and in that altercation there was a door of house kicked open. It was charged that I was one of those who kicked open the door and struck one of the opposing party. An affidavit was made by one of the men engaged in the quarrel that had broken open the door and struck him. l was indicted for burglary and assault and battery. The indictment for burglary was never tried. The District Attorney regarded the charge as too frivolous to be prosecuted, and summarily dismissed it. Twas tried for the assault and battery and found guilty.
 Before entering upon my canvass for the position to which I aspire referred to my past life, which, until within the last eight years, was one of adventure, ln consequence of the poverty of my parents and the few advantages I had in my early youth. I commenced to labor for my own livelihood and to assist in the support of my father and mother at the early age of ten years. At that time most boys are under the influence of do- nestle discipline and have the advan- tage of -egular educational training. Is 1t, therefore, strange that I should have committed errors in my early life :? There are few boys that have not been guilty of trihing assault and battery. If l had had influential parents and friends l would have been permitted, probably, to have escaped with 8 repri- mand ut.havingno one to say one k1nd word for me-a poor, rough boy, work ing in foundry-I suffered the slight penalty due to my boyish folly.
 During my whole life no man can say that have ever wrongcd him, defrauded him of 8 dollar or even broken my given word. I have had during the last eight years business relations and connections with many of the best men of this city, and not one of them will say am other than man of my word and of strict in- tegrity; l have endeavored by my con- duct to atone for the mistakes of my youth. Although successful in accumu- lating competence I have never for gotten that l was once poor. I have never turned poor man from my door, or deserted friend in his need. There has been much criticism in the news papers in reference to my being candi- date for Congress. It is natural that I should meet with great opposition. A man who has passed through such varied and strange scenes of life as I have must expect to make bitter enemies and warm friends, and jealousies and hostilities are inseparable from political contests. But, MT. Editor, will state to you my mo- tives in being candidate for Congress.
 I have one boy, who is now twelve years of age, who will have the benefit of the best education this country can af- ford, and will have better opportunities than l had, at his age, to start upon an honorable career. I feel 1t duty that I owe to him, my only child, to make my record as clear and honorable as possi- ble, that my manhood may atone for the follies and errors of my youth, and leave behind me memories of which my son in after years may be proud and that will cast no shadow upon his path through life. JOHN MORRISSEY,
 Morrissey was born in Ireland, and came to thls country when very young. He commenced to learn the iron mould ing business ill Troy, but at the age of sixteen left that to become bartender. He was stout young fellow with a nat ural disposition for quarrelling, or as he expressed 1t to lead in the prize ring, and was in hot water all the time.
 He left Troy for New York, and, upon his arrival, was engaged ill disturbance ill which he was badly smashed up by a heavy spittoon ill the hands of rough. He became sailor boarding house run ner, and in his occupation learned all about fighting and seemed to enjoy it. AS he developed he sought the prize ring, and his fights with McCann, Yan- kee Sullivan and Heenan are we'll re- membered. In the fight with Yankee Sullivan, Morrissey had his nose broken, and carried the mark to his grave.
 After the prize ring came the gambling house, and at one time Morrissey was interested in sixteen of these establish ments. He made money rapidly. Next he went into Wall street and left worth nearly million of dollars. He could not stay away, and one morning found him $1O0, ,000in debt. He left Wall street and looked after his gambling houses, and was soon with money again.
 He built up the famaus race track at Saratoga, and turned his attention to horses, running at the same time h1s noted club house, where fortunes have been lost.
 Then he went into politics and was sent to Congress twice, declining to go again. He could no doubt have been elected. His hold on the voting popula- tion of New York was strong, for twice he was elected to the State Senate bv large majorities in districts where he did not live and against the strongest men that could be brought against him. He was favored and aided by many lead ing citizens, and always appeared to have many friends among this class.
 Morrissey was known as very liberal man, and most devoted husband and father. The severest blow he ever re- ceived was when his only son A vouno