The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-28
SENATOR WHO CAN BE
SPARED.

would resign his seat in the senate al
once. adding that bis resignation
would probably be presented before
the end of the year. His relations
with his colleagues. he said. we're such
tba, on. Of respect for himself he
mus, retire To private life. IL is not
surprising that Sr. Riddleberger
sho,,ld conclude that his relations
with his colleagues are unsatisfactory,
since there are only two or three OF
them who are on speaking terms with
him. During the greater portion OF
The six years that he has been a mem
he, of the senate. Mr.. Riddleberger
has occupied the position Of an ish-
maeljte. His tongue has been against
every other senator and the tongue OF
every other senator has been against
him. The Republicans, with whom he
usually votes. hold him in as great
contempt as the Democrats, and even
Malone. his former friend and bene-
factor. would have nothing whatever
10 do with him during the last year
that they served together in the senate.
In spite Of his isolation, however
il safe to say that Senator Riddieberger
will not resign. He has threatened
many times to take this step. but he
has always thought better OF the mat
ter before IL was too late. Disagree
able As II must be 10 be member OF a
body whose other members without
exception despise him and hold him
in contempt, Riddleberger seems to
enjoy his peculiar distinction. Then,
too. the salary OF a senator is not to
be despised, and as Mr.. Riddleoerger
Il not wealthy. be will probably be
willing to serve his countrymen as
long as his salary Is continued. To
the country at large, however. II
makes little difference whether Riddle
berger resigns or not. His term ex-
pIres with the expiration Of the pres
ent session. his successor mas already
been elected, and on the 4th day OF
next March he will retire to private
life whether be desires to do 90 or not.
Ii may be remarked incidentally that
his senatorial colleagues will not be
greatly grieved at his retirement.
Riddleberger came 10 the front in
the political nTheaval which gave the
Rendiusterx control OF the state Of
Virginia ten years ago. Hewas young,
bright aud energetic, he was an able
politician and be possessed qualities
which made him exceedingly popular.
lie soon became the most trusted lieu
tenant Of General Malone, the leader
Of the Readjuster movement, and his
path to the United States senate be-
came an easy one During his first
session he behaved well enough and
did rot acquire any unpleasant mo-
toriety. II soon became apparent.
however, that be was drinking too
much and even his warmest friends
saw that his service in the senate
would not extend beyond the term for
which be had been elected.
in,oxication u not entirely unknown
among the senators Of the United
States. bat RiIdleberger has thus far
been the only one who has made his
intoxication manifest on the floor Of
the senate. He developed the habit Of
entering the senate chamber in con-
dition OF gross intoxication. On such
occasions he violated and defed the
rules Of the honorable body Of which
he is q member. Mortified his diguiied
colleagues and hurled insults and de-
fances right and left These per-
formances were usually followed by
periods Of irritability and combatiye-
ness during which the senator from
Virginia undertook 10 brow-beat every
one With whom he came in contact.
One senator after another was made
the victim Of hi half-drunken insults
until lac had not a single friend among
his colleagues.
Rddleberger's latest notable per
Torrance took place about two weeks
ago. on this occasion he smashed the
rsles Of the senate right and left, out
RACED les decorum and virtually de.ied
the presiding officer TO make him be
have himself. lie incidentally referred
10 Senator Ingalls,, the pre- ident Of
the senate. as d" a spider-lerced Kan
san. " and informed him that he might
bulldoae him In the senate, hut would
not dare 60 do so on the street He
also declared IL TO be his opinion that
the senate had not done a damned
thing" that morning, and that Senator
Perry Of Arkansas. who temporarily
occupied the chair. did not know what
he was talking about. The entire
scene was most disgusting one and
IL was calculated 20 drive from the in
toxjcatcd senator any friends that he
might stil have possessed.
The United states senate IS not the
place for hoodlgms, a0i the people
viii I've well satisfied when the eXpira.
ton ot Senator Eiddlehcrrc-' term
comrely his re- iremeUt To private life.
-
n rresjdeat-riect Harrison should