Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-01-13
VICE AT THE CAPITAL.
Many Legislators SoreIy Tempted-New
atmbars OF Ability, Systematically
snubbed, Frequently Driven
By Chsgrin to ths Solace OF Tho Wine
Cup and tho Gambling
Table,
Ch!cs 20 Herald.

Su!CSSO L1eraIu-
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-There Is no de-
nying the unwelcome fact that, SIS st pres
ent constituted and governed, the House
Of Representatives is 10 longer the au-
spicious amphithea:er wherein to acquire
historical laurels or attain even 6 fairly
elevated niche IN the pantheon of national
fame. There WAS time when the new
member was hedged with species Ct di-
VinitY that rendered MIN important in the
public eye, social and political, and there
fore, II he were possessed OK the reason
so!e accomplishments of eloquerca, in
addition 10 the attributes Of industry and
Intelligence, ne experienced but little
difficulty in attaining eminence and secur-
ing foothold from which to ascend TO &
higher altitude IN public estimation.
Though there sre Congresses and Con.
crosses, the general average is rarely DIS
turoed, so far as ability, personal worth
end the elements of distinction are con-
ceTned. instances are by no means rare.
however, In the history Of Congressional
life at Washington, where the most bril-
lignt minds have been clouded and repu-
tations ruined by over-indulgence in the
wine cup, pursuit of tickle fortune ST the
gaming tsble, or participation in other
vices thst attend the f'silent crimes Of
capitsls." Almost every Congress hiss
its victims in those who falter and fail by
the Wayside into the slough OF desp0nd,
as we'll Senators, SIS Representatives, land,
sad TO relate, there is 30 Ciminuti0n Of
the record.
1t is asserted by the philosophers VINO
diagnose public events and it is by no
means denied in interested quarters that
no small proportion Of Congressional for
WaTdness and dissipation originates from
tie chagrin and annoyance consequent
upon failure to press to the front rank,
especially with new members who have
not acquired the amount of patience nee
essary to larry until their parliamentary
beart is grown. The Congressional tyro
comes to Washington pregnant with high
Intentions and hopeful OF great results
The eyes OF his constituents are upon
him and he Is likewise confronted with
The Jealousy or malice OF the competitors
from whom he has snatched the victories
Of nomination and election. Enem.es
look hopefully for the fall Of their Luci-
fer, to the end inst they may administer
upon his political estste. Possibly the
newcomer may secure the crown
OF success, but the probabilities
are against such c0DsummatiOn.
The case of Senator Riddleberger, Of
Virginia, presents faic sample OF rolling
the Sisyphian stone in the forum OF the
Senate. Surnamed tue "Glmeccck of the
Shenandoah Valley" very Rupert on
The pos:-bsllum hastings or the ancient
commonwealth, Harry Riddleberger was
preCipitated into the Senate like Z meteor
falling from The political heavens. He
had hardly been settled in his chair before
the suspicion daWEed upon his mind that
the atmosphere Of that pgetouan body
Was by no means SO i1spiritipg as that
permeating and invjgoratiag the Virginia
nils and valleys. Upon fitting opp9r;u-
nifty, ne essayed e speech and became
self-disgusted Of his own failure. His
friends vainly sought TO comfort him with
luleps ana cocktails, but the Virginia pro-
totype Of Gallus. could 20 no further than
protest that q speech at the cross roads
and speech IN the Senate chamber were
essentially different commodities, and
that the cold, unimpassioHed presence of
bis colleagues, and the Indifferent atten-
ton Of the galleries frozs the very MIR
row in his rhetorical bones.
Four years haYe passed and get the Viz
ginia Senator has never fully recovered
his splomb. The Senatorial array, Re
publican as well es Democrat, has lost no
opportunity to sit down on him. TIE
valley bred gamecock, nevertheless, con-
tiBues to make frequent rushes win wing
and spur only TO be beaten Of, and with
the expiration OF the Fittieth Congress
Nj. Riddle5erger surreEders TO ex-Con-
gresham BA bour and will retire minus &
single leaf OF laurel binding his senatorial
BROW. AND yet he is 8 MAJ above the
average in bolh intelligence Gnd educa-
ton, chlvclric and kind hearted, even il
inclined. RiCdlebergeI is
not bad fellow" observed an old Sena-
tor. owe were obliged to cut his comb
Just little becsuse he IVES too fresh!n
This tells the RiddlebeTger story.
All legislative bodies boast their useful
members, taeir bright members, ,heir
offlclcu5 members and their stupid
membels.x TIE first class is that
which by well directed forts contributed
TO the usefulness # law meking. The
bright class comprises the flent takers
The ThetoriCisps who play the part OF
action in nicely g. justed sentences Of
praise or condemn aTion. TIE Cfficious
class is that which objects and interposes,
welded TO the idol OF principle
from which there IS no exception to vary
the rule. The stupid category embraces
those who exhibit little If any interest in
affaire, and who are necessarily content
TO trust 10 Others to perform duties IF
which they are mentally and physically
The Senate and House cas.
easily ne scheduled by the cognocenti
under these respective heads.
"Ihe average new member has hard
-oad 10 travel" observed a Congressional
freshman To Coterie Of colleagues re-
Gently gathered together in the House |
oestUttice, which establishment is 2
avorite RENDEZVOUS tor comparison Of |
dess aud the Confessional among tat /.
membership. 81 have been member OF !
both branches of cur state Legislature, O |
delegate TO state aud national conVeD-
ions, and on one occasion was accorded |
he honor OF placing q Presidential c.ndi- !
late IN nomination, for which effort re- |
;eiYed endless emconiums. At home |
In reckoned among the f1rst-class orators |
Was chosen to the Fiftieth Congress, |
Ind came to Washington to see and con-
luer. When | gsZad around the Houss |
!rd mentally took in the csliber OF the |
other members, though. how easily in
ieoate l could down about ninety |
Der cent. OF them, If Only had = charce. |
SoW," continued the confessing member, |
1T only consumed about three days for /
re to ascertain two facts: First, that
ne chance YES absolutely wanting, ard, |
second, even If a c,ance should pre- |
tent / self, I would probably get the
worst OF the encounter in the first round. |
came to understand very soon there were