The National tribune., 1891-01-01
TIE SENATE RuNcoEp,

An enterprising citizen OF Baltimore has been
working the United States Senate, and has
made considerable money out OF that august
body. His method of procedure was 10 write
letter 10 different Senators, in substance like
the following 10 Senator Henderson, who was
the person who exposed the fraud, he having
seen a similar letter addressed TO Senator Nor
rill, of Vermont:
BALTIMORE, Dec. 20, 1890.
Hon CHARLES It. MANnERsON.
DEAR SIR: Enclosed you will find the bnptismal
certificate Of my little son, Charles Henderson Du-
wall, whom named IN honor Of you. How came
TO name him after you was that j wanted 10
name him after some prominent Republican, ana
chose you because you are from my native State.
] have seen you on several OCCASIONS and always
have been an admrer Of you Little Charles ls
getting along FIRST rate and hope thht he may i've
aud be as upright aud honest rs the man hiler
whom lac Is named. He Is our first born, aud as
soon we have his picture taken VIII send you
one. Also Enclosed you will find five tickets 10 an
entertainment which is given for my benefit.
would not have troubled you with them, only last
week had my leg broken while ut work aud my
friends are giving this for my benefit All the in-
come j had was what was derived from my daily
labor, and hope you viii take them to aid me. III
you do not wish them you can return them. Ny
wife and little Charles are WELL and hope this
VIII End you the same Please answer 10y return
mail and let me know II you received thc certificate
all right Hoping this viii find you well, and
wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy New
car '''"''" yours 's' william DuvALI.
sos East Baltimore Street baltimore, Nd.
Answer by return mail, as j will be RnKiously
awaiting reply from you.
The tickets which were incl0sed had on their
pink surface the printed announcement:
GRAND ENTERTAINMENT
for the benefit Of
WILLIAM DDNAIls,
10 be held at ByTns Hail.
Wednesday December 81, 1890
Tickets, 81.
Senator Morrill, had Enclosed S. 10 the happy
49,
there must be something wrong about the
transaction and he went around among his fell
lOw-Senators.
The result surprised even Gen. Henderson.
Nearly every Senator had received letter and
a baptismal certificate and had handsomely re-
spondcd with present for his little namesake
Democrats and Republicans had alike been
swindled. There had boon born in Baltimore
on the Ist Of December and christened at the
First Evangelical Lutheran Church on the 10th
of December 1890, about 40 boys, all Of the
same father and mother, and all named after
prominent Senator. There was Frank His
cock Duvall," and Eugene i. Hale DUVall,"
and Anthony Higgins Duvall," aud even q
Levi p. Morton Duvall." Senator Dolph was
not forgotten but be would not admit or deny
that he had responded with the cash.
The delicate flattery Of the swndler's letter
touched the Senatorial vanity to different de-
gFees Senator Higgins sent $40. Senator Sher-
man forwarded a silver cup, Senator Eyarts a
silver spoon and two cash contributions in re-
sponse to appealing letters, and Senator Carlisle
sent S. NiCe-President Morton sent % silver
dollars. Senator Blair sent tender letter full
of advice and parental warning, accompany
ing his words with a s. bill Even such a
shrewd Yankee as Mr.. Hale was caught for s..
Senator Hoar was saved from the sWinde by
his Secretary who works also for Senator
Squire. When the two baptismal certificates
arrived they fell into the hands Of a single Sec
rotary. who had no difficulty in seeing the evil
dent fraud. Other Senators, unwilling to ac-
knowledge their gullibiity, denied that they
bad hoen Victimizcd, but this denial did not
save them from anxious inquiries about the
baby