Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-05

10 me- UIeeley tuAt tuoy buVuiu iOt@
: co. partnership for the publication Of
a newspaper, and that Mr.. Greedy de-
cIiped TO do so. Another printer, De-.
vid B. Mellish, came to New York from
bis native State Of Maine, became Q
stepogrspber, then q court official, and
then . congressman. lie ended his
days, however, in an insane asylum.
Then there was Arson Herrick, known
az " Deacon" Herrick, from the SO.
pulcbrsl gravity OF his features and
manners. lie came from Maine to the
metropolis and established the Sunday
atlas, which was for many years An in.
Huen,ial and prosperous journal. He was
elected to Congress in 1868, and does
rot appear to have made any mark any
moro than " Ben g" Wood, Of the, Neps,
whose legislative achievements during
several terms were limited to winning
fortunes in draw poker on single
hand.
JAMES BROOKS
was another New York editor Who was
elected to Congress. Like a plumber
of men Who have won distinction IA
New York, be came from Maine. lie
vas far mere influential than any other
New York editor ever elected TO Con-
gIess with the exception Of Dir. Gree
ley. and bad o much longer experience
in Congress than the founder Of the
Tribune. He was never on very good
terms with Mr. Greeley. They be-
forged in early days to the same party,
but TO different wings. lie was elected
in lS49 and served many terms. AT
The time OF his retirement he was one
OF the oldest members of the House.
lie was one Of the first correspondents
tent to Washington. lie came to New
York in 1886 and established the
Lrening Express, which for thirty
years was a marvel of "make up" II
is said that Sam. Bowles. Of the Spring
field Republican, amused himself du-
ring the most of night spent in Lud-
low. Street Jail on charge Of libel
brought, believe, by Jim Fisk, in
endeavoriDg to solve this Delthic mys-
tery and retired beaten man. Merged
with another paper, it has within
few years become prosperous journal.
Mr.. James Brooks apparently be-
lieyed with a certain Frenchman that
" only fool never changes his mind"
In the course Of bis long public career
he made complete somersault in his
political views. He was successfully
an anti-slavery Wing, pro.slavery
Wbig, a Native American or Know
Nothing" Democrat, and a cham
pion Of the Irish and Germans, whom
in earlier years he had vehemen!ly op-
posed. His death was fastened by |
the charge that be bad been benef-
ciary Of the Credit. Moblier schemers,
whose poisonous touch was political
humiliation 10 other distinguished |
figures in public life, who compelled !
Schuyler Colfsx to withdraw frOn the |
0lJ mpian gene Of national politics
amid the stony silence or the l0nd Kissing |
Of the ampitheatre that had once
shouted with applause. IL is fair to
Mr.. Biooks's memory to say that
he always denied the charges that he
bad ever been benefited by the Credit
Mobilier conspiracy.
DANIEL sICKLES.
six printers have been elected to
Congress from New York within the
last forty years, five of whom also won
distinction as journalists. One became
distinguished general and Minister to
Spsin. It vas Daniel L. Sickies. His
career has been the most varied, tho
nest picturesque, and the most iute-
resting Of oil. His father was alag-
YER. but sent bis son to aprinter's Of
flee to Learn the trade, and no served
his time. During his apprenticeship,
it is said, he eQualled the exploit Of the
hero of Edward Everett IIAle's story,
tie man who stole meeting house,
~ making away with an entire print
ing-Cilice. Two persons had become
involved in litigation respecting the
printing establishment in which young
sickles was employed, and he took
sides warmly with one of the contest
ants. One Saturday nigh. the Office
was locked up 40 usual, but on Monday
morning it was found that all which
constitutes a printing establishment mad
disappeared. The affair was involved
in complete mystery. Cases do not
commonly disappear through keyholes,
mol can presses be carried down fOdr
flights Of stairs by young STRIPPING Of
twenty, which vas then Sickles's sss.
No.hipg was learned as 10 the where
abouts Of the property for years. The
riehtiul owner, however, vas observed
to afsune 8 pleased expression when
ever the matter vas mentioned, aud, az
ter The statute Of limitations became
applicable to the case, Sickles made no
conceamsut Of his exploit. Soon az
ter completing biz printers apprentice
ship be began the study of Law and
won success, not only as lawyer, but
a. a politician. He was elected TO
Congress in 1857.
HE SHOT KEY.
lie vas making good reputation,
aid IVES regarded as one Of the most
rItmisiIg of politicians, when one
ulorniug IN 1859 Washington wls
shocked BY tie news that Daniel s..
Sickles had not Philip Barton Key for
he btlTsyal Of his wife. Mrs. Si1k'es
was woman OF many personal altrac-
lions, and vas the daughter OF veil
known Italian singing professor Of NV
York named Bagiolj. Congressman
Sickles was tried and acquitted. 1t
was in this trial that James I. Brady
first developed the theory, nov often
urged in similar cases, that his client at
the time of The tragedy was temporarily
insane. The jury was composed Of
men who in like circumstances would
have done precisely as Sickles had done,
and therefore there was no difficulty in
securing his acquittsl. lie returnedts
New York and resumed the practice of
the law with marked success. When
the war broke out he entered the army
as brigadier and subse-