National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-20

lully, SURROUNDED ny loving lrlohuS'
Tho announcement Of tho death Of Sam |
Ward will bo read with deep regret by large
number Of people in this city, whore he was
probably as extensively known as any man
ever in public life His connection with tho |
furtheranco of legislation" as those gentle-
mon who arc employed to engineer schemes
through congress arc wont TO style their
business, brought him into prominence
and gained for him notorioty
aud fame never possessed by any
other member of tho "third house, The
methods by which he secured his hold upon
able statesmen, and tho regularity and sys-
tom Of his attacks upon legislative virtue,
gained for Mr. Ward the soubriquet of 'Hing
Of tho Lobby" Tho royal manner in which
he entertained, tho magnincence Of his din.
ners, and tho genial, generous, and high-bred
department of tho host all showed that he
fully justified tho title which had been be-
slowed upon him.
Mr.. Ward was of good family, Mrs Julia
Ward Howe, tho authoress and philanthropy
list, being his sister. Ho had the advantages
Of o collegiate education. After graduation
he went to New York and entered into tho
banking business in which no was success
full. He married daughter of John Jacob
Aston. The match was not highly approved
by Mrs. Wards parents, for her hus-
band, although showing good business
capacity, was too fond of display
and participation in tho luxuries of lifo to
suit them, and when she died tho property
that abe would have inherited from her father
was left to the children, of whom there were
two in such o manner that Mr.. Ward could
not touch 1t. Only one of the children, it is
believed, reached maturity--a daughter-for
whom Mr.. Ward entertained sincere aifec-
tion. She was possessed Of more than ordi-
nary graces Of person, whilo hor intellect
was bright and brilliant, and sho
sympathized fully with the literary tastes
of her gifted father She married Mr.. Cam
dler, who was q member of congress from
New York, by whom she had a number of
children. On account Of tho affection bo-
tween herself and her father ii was expected
when she died, some five or six years ago,
that she would provide literally for Mr..
Ward out Of her ample fortune of some
$S,0O0000. She left him, however, but $1,000
year, aud at that time it is said that he
was very much in nood of money.
What first brought Mr.. Ward to this city
and throw him into the arms of members of
congress Is not known, but his career here is
familiar to every one who has had anything
to do about the capitol within the last twenty
years. The largo house on u street, just be-
yond Joyce's carriage factory, was used as
his headquarters, and was furnished in eX-
colent style. Down stairs he used as his
Office, but above them were tho most
abundant facilities for the convenience
ana comfort Oh his lIlCnub. lis
sideboard was always stocked with the finest
liquors and cigars, aud no man was better
judge of the qualities of these articles than
Mr.. Ward, and these were always at the free
disposal Of his friends. AS ono VINO knew
him for years said last night, SANS house
was sort of convenient stopping place for
the statesmen coming down from the capitol.
They would drop in to got their toddy and n
cigar chat awhile, and listen to II story or
two, from Sam, and then they would be ready
for dinner"
1t was as n dinner giver that Sam Ward
Bhone at his best. He had studied tho art
of dining until he had thoroughly mastered
the intricacies and resources of tho cuisine,
and no more elegant dinners were ever served
than were gotten up at Welcier's under his
superintendent lie knew human nature
thoroughly, too, and always placed
the right kind of q dinner before the right
kind of men. He always gave Welcker
notice in good time and would say: John,
/ want the big dining room on Tuesday
next, say nine courses for mob" or John,
on Monday | want the middle dining room.
Thirteen courses. l will look after the
wines and cigars. Tho gods arc to DO the
guests"
He reached Legislators through their stom-
achs and secured tho favor of senators and
members by this means which no amount of
money could have purchased.
There was probably not Pacific railroad
bill that Ward was not interested in one way
or another, but the bill out of which no made
the most money was probably the Oregon
and California railroad land grant which he
succeeded'in passing. Ben Holiday, who had
sold out his Overland Transportation COM
pany, took his 100000 and commenced to
build this road, but went broke after con-
structng about 100 miles.
Mr.. Ward also did a thriving business in
custom house matters. Ho would lind some
Ii 80 .RNa I,I 4
large extent by q construction of some law at
tho treasury department and would under
take to secure tho passage Of u law which
should change this construction. This he ac-
Complished by argument before the ways and
means committee and by winng and dining
tho members. Toward tho close of his career
here he was decidedly unsuccessful, and
finally went to New York, whore he met Jim
Keeno by whom it is said he was employed
to return to Washington and seek
to influence railroad legislation uniayOra-
bio to Jay Gould. After performing this
duty he returned to New York, where
no found Keene almost broken down by hard
work. Ward took tho sick man to Long
Branch and nursed him faithfully, and then
took him on q tour south, stopping for few
days in this city on thoir roturn. Keono il
is said, was so grateful for tho kindness and
persistent attention that Ward had shown
him that no gave him $4,000 taking care
u
so that Ward could not control Ii
absolutely. Kecno also gave HIM pointers
on stock, and Ward won't into Wall street
and in short time accumulated about
S5OO,OOO He, however, finally got on the
wrong side OF the market and having in the
meantime Quarrelod with Koene, he gathered
together all tho money no could get hold OF
and skipped to Europe, whore no has re-
mUiuad ever since.
Ward was man ofGno literary attainmonts,
md good classical scholar, nearly always
carlYiuga small edition Of Horace in his
pocket. Ho was an excellent lingui5t speak
ing French, Italian, and Spanish tlueutly, and
in his one volume Of published poems there
are some that will take worry high rank, not
only for the purity Of their Yersiilcation,
but for the elevation of thought
which they exhibit, and tho beauty OF
their dictiOn. lIe was a glgillful bOtauist
and on one Of his rotuus from Europe he
brought as present TO % lady in this city an
album of forms, mOsses, and flowers which. no
had gathered on the Alps, aud underneath
each specimen thore was stunGa of pretty
sentiment surrounding tho circumstances OF
its pluckinE
lie probably had wdcr acquaintance with
public men in this country than any single
individual, ana he also met nearly every dis
tiugushed foreigner who visited America
Those foreign acquaintance no relil ionsly
cultivated, aud his attentions were returned
when no took M his abode abroad for no has
had tho cntrCe Co tho best clubs in London