The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-04-15
Washington Letter.
Irregular correspondence. J

WARRINGTON, ID. C., April. II, 1882.
In the spring time some United States Sena-
tors fsncies gently turn to thoughts of
fishing excursions, picnics, anywhere away
from the heavy debates of the upper house.
A party of senators have just returned from
fishing excursion Of several days In Virginia.
Tomorrow Senator FAIR, the bachelor senator
from Nevada, with u snug little fortune of
SAC, 1000, 900, will give picnic excursion to
number of ladies and gentlemen to the Great
Falls of the Potomac, twelve miles distant
Yesterday another millionaire, CONGRESSMAN
Allen of Missouri, was driven slowly on his
last excursion Ia hearse from the Arlington
hotel to the railway station, Helett fortune
of $l5,OO0,O0t.
The past has been an unusually mud winter
at the Capital, but there has been a great deal
of sickness among members and senators. And
there Is reason for the suspicion that much OF
the Ill health arises from the syscm-wreCking
dissipation that has become too fatally fash
ionsble among members and senator's during
the last few years, or since the senate has be.
come the House of Milliona,res." At no
previous time IN the history OF the country
hiss there been so large number of wealthy
members in congress. The present senate con-
talns at least score OF senators not one of
whom is worth less than 100000 The rich.
est man IN the senate is, of course, Fair, OF
Nevada, who probably possesses rs much as
all the other senators together. Next to him
in ucre is David Davis, of Illinois, a widOwer,
who is reputed to be the possessor OF millions
1t is somewhat difficult to name the senator
whose fortune ranks third In size, but If Eu
gene Hale OF Maine has received the mantle
of his father IN. law, Zach Chandler with its
well lined pockets, his fortune is nearly as
large as that of David Davis The wife OF
Senator Hale is the only daughter of the late
Senator Zach Chandler. Other very wealthy
senators are Miller of California, Malone OF
Virginia, and Sawyer of Wisconsin, known &c
be worth more than a million each. Sewel
of New Jersey is railroad man and Is repre-
scented very wealthy Senator John Sherman
of OHIO, 1t is said, il worth more than mil
lion, his property consisting largely of rea
estate in Washington. Among other senators
who write their fortunes with seven figures
are Cameron OF Pennsylvania Davis OF Wes
Virginia. and Plum of Kansas. Senators Hill
of Colorado, Brown of Georgia, Groome Of
Maryland, Mcpherson OF New jersey, anc
Pendleton of Ohio, are all worth more thar
f0O0OOo. Many Other senators are colniort
ably fixed, possessing little boards of from
$500 to 100000. Among those who have
but little, comparatively, here below, that Is
not more than 100000 apiece are Morrill, OF
Vermont. Anthony of Rhode Island, Rollin:
of New Hampshire, Jones of Nevada, Zones q
Florida. Johnson of Virginia, Beck OF Ken
lucky, Saunders of Nebraska, Allison Of Iowa
and Harrison OF Indiana
The house has not as many wealthy mem
hcrs w. nropcriinn TO ne number, INT 'horc Ar
, t.,.'.. ,nl..i..s.jt, - iht- I..4v. aud ...sul
more who, before mac iate da, VI UJ.Os,a, 90.
tunes, would have been considered rich. L
may be useless TO moralize on this grea
increase of wealth IN the two Legislative,
bodies of the United States and the un
tlermining and virtue-sapping tendencies tina
| the abuse of wealth will produce on individu
ais and on states. But it is certainly mor'
profitable to moralize now than it will be a
the inquest There can be no doubt that the
efficiency of members and senators Is serious
| ly impaired by stomachs ruined or brains
clouded OF crazed from the socalled high
toned" dissipation In which some OF our I'm
provised statesmen disport their wealth. Their
IL scarcely an evening that some wealthy con