, 1883-02-09
A Wrecked Congressman.


The Vallejo Chronicle, under the
above caption, has the following concern
ing once brilliant and distinguished
citizen OF Washington Territory:
"The Paducah, Kentucky, Ne,rS, pub
fishes story about the proprietor of a
gambling establishment in Washington
City. He is described as q Kentuckian,
and q man with history; that he had
been State Senator in Kentucky, was
at one time editor OF leading newspa-
per, popular preacher in the Christian
Chnrch, afterwards member of Com
gress from Western state, and a rela-
tive of President of the United States;
that he disiikes his present occupation
very much, but he claims that when he
came 10 Washington, he was enticcd i.ito
| u similar establishment and tieeced outoi
every dollar he had in tb; world, and he
is bound now to get even. Ramsdell, n
very clever Washington correspondent,
in an article entitled Wrecks of Society
at the Capital some two years ago, men
toned this ex-congressman among other
examples OF ruin. 1t is having now
run through the California press, most
OF them unconscious OF the fact that the
person in question was former member
| of the California legislature. His name
is Selucius Garfielde. In early life he
| was what is known "a Campbeilite
preacher and was educated for this call
ing at Bethany College. He abandoned
this profession for that of law, came to
California in early days and was shortly
after his arrival, elected TO the legisla
ture from, we believe, one OF the mining
counties. He had, also, something to
do with the first oodifcaGon of the laws
of this State He return,d d again TO
Kentucky, took prominent part in the
politics of that State, wos elected to It's
| legislature, and then came back to the
| Pacific coast at the commencement OF the
Buchanan administration, as Receiver OF
the Land Office at Olympia Under the
Presidency of Mr.. Lincoln he was Sur
veyor General OF Washington Territory,
which was relinquished on his election
as Delegate to Congress, He served two
terms in that capacity: was appointed
Collector OF Customs for Puget Sound,
but got into some trouble and left the
Territory, going to Washington City and
becoming professional gambler. There
is good deal of the Kalloch about him.
He is man OF very decided abilities,
cultivated literary tastes and remarka-
bic oratorical talent. There are very few
as good public speakers as he is, take the
whole country throughout He will hold
an audience of rough backwoodsmen to-
gether for nearly three hours' speech
and then cause expressions Of regret that
he has ended. Colfax was once placed
at a marked disadvantage by the con.
trast between them "a public speakers.
On his visit, when Speaker OF the House
OF Representatives, to the Pacific coast,
at Victoria, grand dinner was given
him by the Colonial authorities. Colfax
did his best in his dinner table speech,
but be WAS SO far surpassed by the very
brilliant talk OF Garfelde, who was also
n guest, that it was a topic Of general
commen, at his expense. When he was
in CO 2css he gave a series of lectures
in H. Neu cities on the Northern Pa
cafe 9ad, at the request OF that
comp d 10 which they proved of
great g., in the information as to
the r, tes Of the route and the scien.
tifo d',hssion OF the climatic changes
OF which there had been much popular
dread on account OF the high latitude
through which it passed But with all
his talents which, properly managed
wonld have secured him fortune and
fame, he is want ing in moral attributes.
The part OF the story that he was enticed
into gambling house in Washington
and then fleeced is all nonsense. He is
Il born gambler and can never rid him
self OF the fascination which cards have
for him. In Washingto. Territory he
was known as most inyeterate poker
player and would make up game where.
ever and whenever he could find the ma.