Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-02
M'GARRAHAN'S CLAIM.
His Uncompromising Enemy Once
Gave a Dinner at S100 a Plate.
HOW ARMY SECRETS LEAK OUT.
One of Californias Orators Dies From
Cancer Caused by Smoking.
WILLIAM WALTER PHELPS RUINS

han, he of the big claim, enjoys the dis
tinction of being the only man whose ene-
mics started newspaper IN order to destroy
him. The Washington Capital probably
would have never been begun by Dom
Piatt if Neely Thompson, the man who en-
gineered the New Idria Quicksilver Min
ing Company, had not guaranteed the sum
of Sc, 900 q year on condition that Piatt
would abuse Billy McGarrahan, Piatt
wanted fun and dollars and he cared not
particle whether the claim was just one or
not If he could get paid for fighting it
that was enough.
When McGarrahan finally gave him a
drubbing in the Senate lobby Piatt told
him "you ought to have licked me long
ago." which was about the truest thing he
ever said. Neely Thompson got millions
out of the New Idria mine, but the profits
almost ceased when the price of quicksilver
fell. A small fortune was disbursed in
Washington by Thompson every year from
1870 to 1SS0-the era of good times in the
lobby.
Dinner at 800 a Plate.
One celebrated dinner at Welcker's at
which Sam Ward and number of news
over 500 plate, and Feiter has still got
the books to prove it if anybody doubts the
statement. Thompson invested his money
with Frisbie in Mexican mines and lost
heavily. Now it is said he has little money.
1t would be quite shifting of the scenes If
McGarrahan, the man whom he kept for
more than quarter of century out of his
rights, should die richer man than bis
" ha
both men live for five years longer.
McGarrahans claim and its history make
the best chapter in the story of Washing
ton life, and while Billy would have had
more money in his pocket if he had secured
his rights a quarter of a century ago it is
doubtful if he would have had a very much
better time, and it is quite certain that he
would not have now a tenth part as many
friends
A Man Who Was as Big as Hayes.
Last winter saw one day gentleman sit
ting quite alone on a settee in a Washing
ton hotel, whose presence attracted no at
tention, and who seemed to be waiting for
no onc-just passing the time away as so
many occupants of chairs and lounges in
Washington hotels are always doing. He
did not recognize me and appeared to rec
ognize no one Yet just Is years ago he
was the most prominent figure in the whole
Government of the United States 1t was
ex-senator Ferry, of Michigan, the presid-
ing officer of the Senate during the
winter of 1857. He was then
the custodian of the returns of the
electoral colleges, including those from
the disputed States, and before the electoral
commission was organized a powerful fac
tion insisted that Mr.. Ferry had it in his
power to ignore one set of returns from
South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana and
give Mr.. Hayes title to the Presidency by
simply declaring him elected irrespective
OF any objections that individual Senators
or members of Congress might make.
1t was understood that Ferry was bold
enough to undertake this perilous action il
the opportunity arose. For the time being
he was even more prominent in the public
eve than Mr.. Hayes or Mr.. Tilden, whose
political fortunes were at stake in the tre
mendous contest Like the changing of a
scene on the mimic stage, the Michigan Sen
ator dropped out OF sight.
Senator Ferry's Michigan Paymaster
He had been reputed a rich man, but his
fortune, whatever it was, melted away.
His health broke down and he LETT the
country. Since that time he has had no
prominence and now he receives less atten-
ton in Washington than the ancient Cling
man of North Carolina, who still keeps up
vest pocket acquaintance with some of the
statesmen Of the period. While Mr.. Ferry
was in the Senate he brought from the
wilds of Michigan friend named McCreary
and made him postmaster of the Senate.
After Mr.. Hayes got into the White House
McCreary was made a paymaster in the
army.
In that capacity the Michigander has led
a somewhat irregular life and he has been at
least once before q court martial for conduct
unbecomng gentleman. Now he is no
longer useful and is to be relegated to the
retired list, although still a comparatively
young man. This appointment was Ferry's
share in the rewards that were given by
Hayes tC the men who gave him the final
boost into the White House. The Senator
and the pavmaster make curious pair of
''has beens" now, the paymaster seeming to
have rather the best Of it.
Spends His Life in a Sleeping Car.
Ex-Governor Daniel H. Chamberlain, of
South Carolina keeps his home in New
York, but his business interests have taken
him every week for the past five years to
the State OF which he was once the official
head. During all these wears he has spent
nearly one-third of his time in a sleeping
car and during all this period he has kept
up his law office in New York and also
drawn a salary of SIS, 900 year as receiver
of the South Carolina Railroad But there
were other than business reasons for these
hundreds of long Journeys Chamberlain
married for love a most beautiful Maine
woman to whom he proved the most de-
voted of husbands. She was not only
possessed of physical attractions, but was
intellectually sympathetic and ambitious
10 be worthy of her accomplished husband.
Over-study brought on mental weakness
and then insanity. To be near her and yet
TO keep all his business engagements made
heavy demands upon the vitality of the ex-
Governor and it is a wonder that he, too, is
not broken down in health. Other sorrows
came to him. A promising son who had
entered Yale College was drowned. He had
suffered heavy financial losses in previous
years which had made his life struggle
harder than most mems. But he was in
domitable and lived through it all. Now
the railroad is to be sold but Chamberlain
does not give up South Carolina He is
closely associated with large enterprises
there, and, although he was once the most
hated man in the Palmetto State, he is to-
day one of the most popular.
How Official Secrets Are Divuleed.
Captain Borup, of the Ordnance Depart
ment of the army, is young officer of ex-
ceedingly good address and polished man.
ners, above the medium in height, a careful
dresser, and in all respects one of the most
attractive young gentlemen in the military
service of the United States. While he
was in Paris . venal clerk named Grenier
offered to him for sale the plans of the new
French Notifications at Toulon. Afterward
the clerk declared to the French authorities
that Borup had bought them of him, There
upon the French Government requested
that Borup be recalled. 1t does not appear
that any italian or German attaches recall