Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-12

human natuI- to analyze the character OF
John N ,adha, with view to discover how
far his career was influenced BIZ a naturally
vicious nature, to what extent an lnoTdl-
nate vanity NAV have mol1ed 1t; or
whether be was the victim OF mlsd rected
and unfortunate ambition
If he did well by the famous London bank,
it also did well by him. 1t gave him pres
hge; i: Endorsed to the full ali the favor
able reports thai ha bsen circulated in re-
CARL to bis frst-class business qualifica-
tons; it gave color to toe prediction Of jour-
nalisac gossip thai ne woul1 one day be
elevated to the position Of her majesty's
chancellor OF the exchequer. There was,
however, one great barrier to his political
advancement Not alone his eligion, but
his known pledges to the Catholic party, his
championship Of what was then known as
The Irish Brigade"
But Mr.. John Needham was not the man
to allow any ife OF this kind to stand in
his way When a certain parliamentary
whip asked him il the distinctly Protestant
government Of the day could count upon
his undivided support and service as junior
lord of the treasury, Mr.. Needham found it
perfectly easy to transfer hi allegiance from
the Catholic party and Cardinal Wiseman
to the ultra-Protestant premier.
To some men life is a mere geme, in which
every move is open to them, and in which
they neither acknowledge the check OF prin-
ciple nor sympathy.
my constituents will taunt me-" he said,
with what may seem to them desertion
of principle, disaffection, revolt; but l
shall tell them, and it is true, that my po-
litical hostility was against Lord John
Russell, not against the government, and
that Lord John being no longer at the
head OF the government, the situation is
changed.
"That is So" said the party whip charged
with the bride of Office, ''thongh question
IL your constituents will accept even so
plausible an explanation-for your appoint
ment Vacate your seat, and it is possible
that they may refuse to re-eiect you"
81 think they will f." said Mr.. Needham;
''let them viii contest the place which
the death of Mr. Patrick Smith leaves open
to u.s. Did you note his decease in this
mornings Chroniclef'
Il did"
"Then with all respect to Lord Aber-
deem, and my duty to him and nv thanks,
say he may count upon my patriotic service
to his government, to the throne and to the
country"
The constituents of his native borough
did reject Mr.. John Needham, emphasizing
their rejection with rotten eggs and a dead
cat; but he contested the seat in which Mr..
Patr OK Smith had sat with honor for twenty
years. and he won it.
His enemies charged him with bribery.
and declared that the third candidate. who
carried off lot of "plumpers" from Need
hams real rival, was a confederate of the
Junior lord of the treasury. But the victor
was content. He cared nothing for the
opinion of the defeate nor Tor their evil
reports
1t was May day in London when he re-
turned to town triumphant. a lord of the
treasury, and with all the influential re-
sponsibiities of what seemed to the outer
world great and undimmed future before
him.
But how little that ''outer world" knows
of anything and anybody! 1t thinks it
knows, says il knows, and believes it
knows Mr.. John N.edham could have as
tonished that outer world very muca in re-
gard to his treasury appointment, if h. had
held forth on the subject. Nobody could
have dreamed of how great an importance
his ele walton was IN his own estimation. He
hardly dared confess to himself the truth
y
since Fortune, in this matter, appeared to
smile so benignantly upon him. He was
quite satisfied with himself. con tented hap
py, AM If tners were obstacles in the future
that threatened his peace he did not fear
them; they were shade ws that his rising
sun would speedily dissipate AT least so
he thought, and he calculated his chances
with astuteuess and experience.
4 shining pair of chestnut horses champed
their silver bits at the arrival platform of
the Great Western station. They were APP
pointed in the best taste. and on the box of
the handsome brougham sat two smart ser
wants. who were conscious of the impo lance
attached to their service by the attendance
of several railway officials, who had been
ordered to receive the new lord of the
treasury. Nh Needham accepted the com.
pliment with an easy and satisfied air,
tipped the guard who carried MS writing
case, and slipped guinea into the hand of
the platform Inspector.
The spring suns ine seemed to follow him
with especial favor as his horses flew along
the streets TO Portland place. 1t flashed
gaylv on the silver harness OF his faultess
steeds it brought out the golden bars of his
coat-3f-arm' on the door panel of lis fault
less brcugham and the first hreezes of sum-
mer waited about MIN, as he stenoed upon
the pavement, the perfume of ten thousand
byacnths from the beds of r. gents PARK.
There was, however, surely one delightful
touch missing; the chronicler OF this history
feels its absence, though possibly the new
lord Of tie treasury did not No wife nor
child wei coined home the victor TIE Hon
John Needham, NJ, F., was bachelor.