The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-07
CHANGES AT THE CAPITAL.
Vices, Customs and STen Compared with
Those of Forty Years Ago.

Vices. customs
Those of Forty Years Ago.
Washington Special
An old member of Congress, whose experience
runs back more than forty years, says that gam
bling and drinking in Washington have been
steadily growing less throughout his experience.
Until q comparatively recent day these were the
besetting sins, gambling especially "While it
cannot be said that Congress at times actually
adjourned to the gambling-house, said he, lit
was often true that at the greatest of these estab-
lishments there could occasionally be found
quorum Of both branches. Humphrey Marshall
was one of the most inveterate gamblers of that
time. He would sit through the whole night,
and far into the day, completely absorbed in the
game, sometimes winning but oftener, it
seemed, losing, from the fact that he was al
most always in a borrowing way. Drinking was
universal and deep. There has been nothing
comparable to it since the war. Before that it
Stacked off somewhat, but there were many
drunkards here even then"
I'm what other respect has Congress changed
during that timel"
Well, gambling has become almost obsolete,
and drinking is very much less but there are
forty times more men now who win engage in
raid on the Treasury for any sum from So, 900 to
$500 000 than in the old gambling and drinking
times In those times, whatever men did, they
did not steal and the man suspected of bride
taking of engaging IN schemes for getting
money out of the Treasury irregularly, fell at
once and no longer associated with gentlemen.
Any faint of that kind was fatal 1t would have
- been impossible for Huntington to write such
letters are now Illuminating the history OF
Congress. What is now known as the Third
House-the lobby--was then unknown. Congress-
would not have dared to permit promoters,
as they are called, to talk with them, even if
that class had existed with the audaelty to
attempt it. In nothing, perhaps has the change
been greater than this. Counsel sometimes ar
gued a question before committees, but even
that was rare 1t stopped there. Buttonholing
members and senators was unknown, and ban
quoting, as it is now done, to influence votes on
measures, would have been absolutely fatal to
any cause There ehivalry in this respect
in those days, which appears to have died out
with the advent of schemes of iniquity and the
presence of corrupt men in both branches Of
Congress-
'Hew do the manners of Congress of the pres
ent day compare with those of your timer
81 may be wrong, but it appears to me that
they are not the type of men now that they were
then retain distinct recollection of my early
impressions OF the great men, great as we then
regarded them and as they are still regarded,
when | entered Congress. Mr.. Clay, Mr. Web
ster, and Mr.. Calhoun were the leading men for
a long time Mr.. Clays presence ON Pennsyl-
vania ayenue always caused men to turn their
heads, and IN some way manifest their respect
He was always to return every salute in
that gracious manner which brought men and
women-especially if they had handsome chill
dren to show-and young girls out to observe
him as he took his way to the Capitol Mr.. Clay
never missed anything that was intended to show
respect No one has for years passed to and fro
on the avenue who has created anything like the
curiosity, seemingly awakened the respect
manifested for Mr. Clay.
AIR. Webster was less frequently SEEM but
when at his best he turned into the avenue, his
blue coat and metal buttons. buff vest and
heavy cane, and his majestic tread, made him
figure truly impressive A constituent of mine
who thought Nj. Webster public foe, and
man to hate, had come on here to see men and
things Mr. Webster passed where a half
dozen of us were standing most of whom knew
him, at least, by sight. and all saiuted him by
raising hats In his grandest manner Mr..
Webster returned the salute as he moved on.
| observed my friend was holding his hat in his
hand, following Mr. Webster with his wondering
eyes. who is thatP he asked. told him it
was Daniel Webster Il take it all back I'm
conquered. I'm a Webster mani"
Men of his type may be the avenue now
adays but | cont see them. No! Bride takers
were not heard of in those days, but they did
gamble and drink tremendously