The Delta independent., 1890-12-02
WAsHINGTON's POVERTY.
A SAD STORY OFTEN REPEAT
ED THERE.
Life and Struggles of n Nameless Man Who Went
10 the Capitol City to Secure n Govern-
mcnt Appointments Loug List
Of Fellow Unrortanaies.

|
metropolitan papers did not mention
it The associated press took no
notice OF his exit. Tho busy, selfish
swarm that GIBBS and flows unceasino-
ly over the tiled floors and through
the noble corridors never paused an
instant to regret that. one of their
number had fallen by the wayside and
laid down the burden of life. The man
who died was but an atom in the mass,
nm insect in swarm. Yet he was Il
r.an OF superior talents and he had a
history, oh so sad and pathetic, which
ought to be written and published as
warning to the thousands OF Young
men who leave comfortable homes and
bright individual careers to seek
official positions under the govern
| ment
A brief outline of this unfortunate
mans struggle, failure and death
must suffice. The reader may supply
| the omissions, not overlooking the
hope renewed each day, the torture of
| anxiety, the despair which finally ex-
tinguished expectation and left moth
ing in life for which to struggle
This nameless man had been a DO
tent factor in the local politics of the
town where he lived-somewhere in
Central Illinois or 1ndiaua-the annals
OF the national Capitol are not clear on
| that point nor does il matter. He
WIS competent physician. scholar
and evidently u gentleman, unassum-
ing, dignitied and non communicative.
| For years he held a lucrative position
/ rs chief surgeon in the employ of Il
r;illrord company, and enjoyed wide
| acquaintance with public men. Like
| many others he wanted to see more of
The world. and when the Cleveland
| administration came into power he was
IN Washington, well supplied with in
dorsements Tor a high Office. 1t is
said that he aspired to foreign mis-
sion. 1t did not reach him. There
were not enough to go round. Then
he decided to accept the next lower
rank. that Of consul-general. He
waited in vain. A first rate consulate
was tried next, and after nearly year
OF waiting that was denied him. His
funds were running low and doubtless
his frame OF mind became so meek that
he would take anything.
1t is said that a place was finally
offered him in Washington, with fair
ealary. He FASTENED home, packed his
household goods and removed his wife
and babies to the capital only to find
| that some other man had meanwhile
been given the office he had hoped to
obtain. But he was possessed OF a
great, incomprehensible stock of
patience, and he decided 10 wait for
| something else.
He rented modest residence on 4
good street. paying $45 month while
his money lasted. Then he no longer
paid anything. The office for which
he waited was as far away as ever.
but his landlord came frequently to
see him, and he, being an honorable
gentleman, gave him mortgage on
the home out in Illinois. The land
lord was likewise grocer and sup
piled his table for year or two on
the strength of the mortgage. but
finally told the tenant that he must
move. Where? He had no idea, but
all would be made square when he
got his appointment. The Cleveland
ADMINISTRATION was nearing its end, and
when Harrison was elected the man
from Illinois or Indiana was still with
out an Office. Then occurred an incl
dent which sounds like fiction, but IT
Is strictly true. The landlord rented
smaller, cheaper house, paid two
mon this rent in advance and moved his
tenant, wife. babies and chattels into
it. telling him kindly that he must
now look out for himself. The mort
gage on the home in Illinois was fore
closed and the place sold. bringing
s275 in excess of the mortgage and ex-
penses, but he owed his landlord more
than $500. Instead of keeping the
$275 to apply on his bill that landlord
actually took the whole amount and
gave it to the wife of his ex-tenant
Was there eve ran other like him?
Aho iiau iioLi 4llluOlS OF
still hopelessly sought work. None
came his way. He sought to practice
his profession, but no one was sick
enough to need his services, and
finally he became guide in the Capt.
tol. for which he ought to be we'll fitted
by four years OF tramping through
those halls. He picked up little
money this way, but a keen observer
would notice that he glided about the
building with avertcd face. ashamed to
have his congressional friends per-
ceive the straits into which he had
fallen. He was too honest and diff
dent to make u success OF his new call
ing, and. worst of all he began to dull
his despair with opium.
The end came few days ago. He
was dead. No inquest was needed,
but the verdict should have been;
"Died of Office seeking. resulting in u
broken heart"
The wife of his former landlord, who
knew all about their trouble, heard OF
his death and hastened to the stricken
home. The heart t-broken widow knew
- Flat,f Il 4