The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-14
OLD CONGRESSMAN
WHO LEAVE PUBLIO LIPEAT THE
CLOSE OF CONGRESS.
Statesmen who Might Sing 1.-THE
saddest Words OF Tongue or Pen,
Is Might Have Been"

WASHINGTON, November l3.-S0me
of the men who are retired from pub
lie life by the election just held will
probably never find their way into
Congress again. There is Wyatt D.
Aiken, of South Carolina, for instance.
He has not been q day in his seat in
this Congress. He was only able to
be here part Of the time during the
last Congress, but he was reelected IN
the hope that he might recover bis
health and serve the State again. But
there seems little hope that he will
ever be able to represent his State in
any legislative body again. He was 20
feeble this fall that when the primary
election was held he requested the
ballot box to BIS brouaht to his bedside
TO cast his vote. This was done, for a
little strain OF the law such IS that
does not count for much in South
Carolina, especially in primary cleo
tons. He was shot through the lungs
in the Confederate army, during the
early part of the war, aud has never
recovered from IL. His departure
from the House removes one Of the
most ardent opponents Of the Blair
educational bill. He thought it un-
wise and unconstitutional, and did not
heei'ato TO cay 30. He was one OF the
earliest man in the South 10 predict
the nomination OF Mr. Cleveland.
Another man who Ia probably likely
to bid long farewell to Congressional
life is Gen. Bragg, Of Wisconsin.
Bragg made a pref y good record in
the Forty.ssventh Congress, but he
has not accomplished anything in this
Congress except to make himself I'M
popular. And there are very few who
adopt his expressive language and
love him for the enemies he has made.
Bragg is a natural fighter He is never
happy unless ne is in fight. He is q
little fellow, weighing perhaps q 100
pounds, always neatly dressed, always
looking round for somebody to knock
chip of his shoulder. He is watch
ing the Senatorial fight in Wisconsin
with the hope that some day he may
clip into the Senate, but there is little
probability OF 1t.
Congressman Cobb, Of Indiana, re-
tires from the House and probably
from public life. 1t lie just possible
that he may come TO the surface as q
candidate for the Senate, but that can
didacy seems to be pretty well filled
by Joe Mcdonald. Cobb is q bellig.
ersnt fellow, and his bout with Laird
last summer, and that with the mem
Der from Chicago a couple OF years
ago have not helped bis popularity at
! home.
Ex-Gov, Curtin, Of Pennsylvania,
the war Governor Of that great State,
has no thought Of returning to public
life again. He will be 20 years old at
his next birthday, and feels his weight
OF years q good deal. His has been q
very busy lie, and he is glad to take
a rest at this age. II is just as we'll
that he does 30, too, for there are
signs that the old man is not y strong
internally as In former years. Yet he
is a center figure In the House. His
tall, elender figure, white hair and
cleer ringing voice commands the at
tention OF everybody when he gets on
his feet. There is always q crowd
about him when he speaks In the
House, even on the most common
p ace subjects.
Mr.. Hewitt, OF New York, uudoubt
edly expected when he declined TO be
candidate for the House again, that
this should end his days in public
life. He ia o. years Of age,very feeble
physically, and OF fond OF the details
OF life as a member Of either House,
Yet 1t is not impossible that he might
like term in the Senate, and there is
just a possibility shat he may get
there.
Congressman Singleton, OF MISSISSIPPI
pi, who retires at the close Of his term
will probably bid farewell to public
life forever. He is growing very fee
BILE. He is ~ years old, and has seen
a good deal OF public life. He was
here in the Thirty.third Congress
over thirty years ago, serving. contln'
uously until his State seeded, when
he withdrew, aud was elected to the
Confederate Congress. After the wal
he was sent back TO bis old seat in the
House, and 1t lie only his extreme age
and ieeblenes9 that retiTes him now,
He ia not a brilliant man or speech
maker, but he has mausged in some
way TO retain a remarkable hold ON his
seat in the House.