The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-02-25
PITY pGK PAYNE.
suffering Far the vIIiaiuVus Acts of Some OF
his iBu ChmSu.

Suffering far the vlIIRIuUuS Acts OF Some OF
his hsu OhmSu.
CINClNNATI, Feb. PA Columbus cor.
respondent OF the Commercial Gazette tele.
graphs: An Indiana Democrat, who has
been spending part Of the winter In Wash
ingtop, and was here for two or three
days, made some rather startling state
ments 10 me concerning Senator Payne,
and puts his condition in a serious, not to
say pitiable light.
hYou may as we'll" said be, "haye a
mummy from the CataCombs OF Egypt as
the Senator from Ohio as Henry b. Payne,
SO far as all the essentials are concerned
"Why," l inquired.
"He issimply mummiled corpse, !" was
the reply, "and is 80 regarded by every.
bidy. His position speaks for him in
way, but the incumbent himself has no
more moral force In Washington than the
remains Of one Of Cheops' civil engin.
GERS"
"Is he not treated with respect2" l In
Quired.
ale is regarded with pity. Were he
bustllng, vigorous man, aggressive and
persistent, and enshrouded as he is, with
the unmistakable pail Of corrupt associa-
tions, he would bs regarded with con.
tempt. But in the childhood Of old age,
1t would take very heartless man to In.
dulge in that feeling toward him. His
helplessness is powerful pleader. Why,
| Witnessed scene some time ago that
was enough to wiring tears from the eyes
Of stole. Some gentleman from Ohio, a
stranger to ME, but apparently Q Culti'
vated person called to see tho Senator
either In friendly way or on business. |
happened TO be present and witnessed the
interview. l saw at glance that the
gentleman was touched and panied with
Mr. Payne's appearance, as he sat trem.
bling with the palsy OF overwrought mem
tai strain, mumbling almost incoherently
q studied note that he would gladly serve
his friend in any way he could.
"lf the gentleman had any business
with Mr. Payne he forebore to pressit, but
seated himself beside him, and 10 a pleas.
ant, soothing tone said:
40, many thanks, Senator; I am not
here to trouble you by soliciting any IA.
yors. called to pay my respects, and say
that the Democratic people Of Ohio have
q high opinion Of you, Notwithstanding
the attacks Of your enemies
"Up 10 that moment there was neither
passion nor emotion visible in the sena.
tors iacs. Suddenly he became livid with
rage and shook like an aspen leaf. Wav.
ing his friend of with both his thin hands,
he exclaimed with great bitterness:
Don't speak to me on that subject,
sir. Don't mention II. l do not want to
hear what the people think Of me. 1t Ia
liStasteful 10 hear anything on that sub.
ject.'
"The gentleman arose with startled
look upon his face, and as soon as polite.
ness would allow, he withdrew. / leave
you 10 draw your own inference. drew
nine"
"What inference did you draw"
"That Senator Payne Is suffering the
tormenls OF the damned while filling the
seat Of a Senator. | would not DO In his
place for oil his millions. My impression
Is that his foolish friends, with Infinitely
uore wealth than brains or lllial affection,
secured him the senaLorship by question.
able means, and without either his knowl.
edge or consent. But think that he now
realizes what has been done, and knows
that upon his aged head will fall theCurse,
and upon his bent shoulders will come tho
burden for tue mlsdssls OF others who
thought lthey were Crowning him With
honorBp
"Do YOU think that the terrible fire Of
Investigation which is now being kindled
affects Mr.. Payne2"
at certainly does. II Is drying Up his
blood and his brain. Mark my words |;
his life will be q blank inside Of twelve-
month. A giant in the prime Of life could
not stand the strain. II 10 ami awful lesson
that Is being exemplitled ID this poor old
man, who ought 10 be living In peace.
The younger generation ought TO profit
by IT. teaching. There is no Escape from
the retribulioa that follows corruption In
politics. The honor that blooms itom cor.
fuption is an exotic that wiLhers the
moment the stu ahihes. No man, even
II he 10 innocent oi the least participation,
eau afford 10 take an Office tainted by
fraud. The moment he does an iinpaCa-
BILE Nemesis draws his sword and marks
him ior vengeance. Nor can he eauaps.
flo may eVade the blow for q time, but II
strikes him down al last. / am filed
with CommiBeration for Nj. Payne. The
Democratic party Of Ohio Ia entitled to
pity when man like Payne fills q chair
In the Senate, and the voice Of the great
Thurman is shut out Of the White House
by padded doors. When you stamp oul
tho corrupt men who have placed you in