Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-07
THE MEN WHO ACHIEVED FAME.
endorsements an Ambitious Yuung Man
Must Encounter Owing to the Sal
ary Uncle Sam Pays
SPIRITS AMONG THE STATESMEN,
How DE- Bcleign Got Into Trouble b rvuring
Mcnongahela In the LemOnadA


national history, embracing portion OF the
war period and the whole period of recon-
struction. The House of Representatives
during this time in my Judgment, compared
favorablv in point of ability, not only with
the Legislative bodies Of other countries at
anv period in their history, but also with
anv Of its own predecessors. 1t was con-
fronted with questions wholly unique, for
its guidance in the solution Of which there
were absolutely no precedents, ard it was
compelled from necessity to make pre-
cedents.
Recourse was wisely had to those great
principles of natural law which the Old
Romans, those masters of Jurisprudence, al
ways recognized as lying back of all consti-
tutions, institutions and forms of govern
meut, such, for instance, as the great right
of self-defense, applicable in its operation
alike to nations as to individuals, though
never written in any human statute book,
and, by the proper application of which to
the exigencies of the times and the peculiar
circumstances by which we were surround
ed, VIC were enabled to suppress the might
est rebellion that ever shook the earth, and
preserve our national unity unimpaired, let
US hope, for ali coming time. The Congress
of that period will be Judged in history by
the magnitude of the questions with which
it has to deal, and the manner in which
these questions were settled.
Noted Names in Those Days.
Il contained many men of marked ability,
some of whom were called to higher
service in the Senate and Executive Depart
ments and have achieved an enduring repu-
tation, and others a reputation that was
quite ephemeral, among the latter of whom
was notably Tom Fitch, of Nevada, who
burst upon the Congressional horizon like a
meteor in a clear sky ina speech of surpass-
ing eloquence, but whose subsequent career
has not justified the promise of its begin
ming. There were others who came to the
House with a reputation already acquired
IN other walks of life, but who added moth
ing TO it BY Congressional service, among
whom were notably such eminent lawyers
as Noah Davis and Lyman Tremaine, of
New York Judge Woodward, of Penn
sylvania, and Henry j. Raymond, of the
Times
''It is quite worthy of note that the men
who attained the greatest eminence Ia Con-
gress were those, with some notable excep-
fions, who came to Congress in their early
manhood, unheralded by previous reputa-
ton The four youngest members, at the
time I write of, were Garfield, Blaine, Alli-
sou and Randall-'the BOYS" as they were
often designated, all of about the same age,
and all of whom have written their names
in inefaceable characters on the page of
history. 1t is unfortunate, that, owing to
the want of a competent fortune perhaps,
there are so few of the young men of the
country that can afford to enter upon the
duties of public life at Washington.
Can't Afford the Opportunity.
The salary of Congressman is manifestly
inadequate to his proper support, and
public opinion does not tolerate his
taking advantage of any knowledge
which the position gives him to in
crease his fortune by even strictly
legitimate methods. The result is that he
often finds the situation inexpresibly gall
ing. / know of no ssdder sight than that
that of really able and useful member of
Congress shining around Washington in
search Of cheap boarding honse, and yet to
such base uses have many come.
And this recalls to my mind an amusing
incident in the experience of a personal
friend, a member of unexceptional character
from one of the rural districts of Pennsyl-
Vania, whom I was assisting to find suitable |
accommodations. We called at fne-look- |
ing house, which had on its front the we'll |
known notice of Furnished rooms for |
rent" The member was highly pleased |
with them, and was about concluding q bar |
gain for them, when he happened to men |
ton that he was member of Congress |
The lady started back in apparent con-
sternation, and said: Ibid understand |
you to say that you were member of Con-
gress?"
''Yes madam"
''Then would not like to rent you my |
Tooms."
''why not?"
ooh, these members Of Congress are a |
rowdy set, and have their friends in their |
rooms late at night, drinking and carousing,
and don't want them in my house."
1t was in vain that he tried to assure her |
that he was not that kind of person She |
was inhexible.
John Morrissey in Rhyme.
Miles O'Reilly seems to have fairly caught
the spirit of the situation when he says, in
the concluding stanza of his ode to John
MoTissey:
John Morrissey, my 10 John,
Ny heart wi terror beats,
For you've got into unco company, /
A gang O. patent cheats.
You have fought and gambled fair 5ohn, |
But to Congress now You go,
And fear they may corrupt you there,
John Morrissey, my 10.
There is a good deal of human nature ex-
hibited by the peoples representatives, in
6ll It's varied phases, and, If the men sent to
Congress are always, what they are supposed
TO be, true representatives of their respective
constituencies, they afford strong proof of
the trite maxim that "it takes all sorts of
people to make the world" A correct
knowledge of the English language might
be supposed essential in representative of
q frst-class nation, and yet the frequent
numbering of thesKing's English" past the
best efforts of the reporters to restore it to
shape, shows that this is by no means re-
garded as an essential requisite. '"The allie
cation is false, said distinguished repre-
gator knew it was false when he made it."
If there is any one thing for
which many member seems
TO prize seat in Congress above everything
else, it is the opportunity it affords for air.
ing some peculiar theory, or exhibiting the
PAGES of some cherished hobby, and his con-
temptuous disregard of all the teachings of
human experience, and sublime confidence
IL his ability to evoke something better out
Of the depths of his own personal wisdom
challenge our wonder at least, If not our ap-
probation.
The Man With q Hobby.
The facility with which such a member
could adjust all the difficult and complicated
problems growing out of the war, and settle
the respective rights of the white and col
ored races, and bring about that era of mil
lennial peace when the lion and the lamb
shall lie down together, without the
lamb being inside the lion, was
something marvellous. During the
discussions in regard to a permanent
financial system after the close of
the alrnoSf euarv rnen,har bod |