Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-03

~S%$$1Z
MR.. SPRINGER VERY LOW.
The Chairman of the Ways and Mean. Com.
mittee In a Critical Condition
IT Is FEARED he CANNOT sreyrvr-,Sxrrrr or
HIS ASSOCIATES IN THE HOUSE IN REGARD To
HlN-sKrrcH OF HIS LONG AND ACTIVE PUBLIC
cAREKR.
The condition of Congressman Springer.
chairman of the ways and means committee. is
so serious today as to excite the gravest appre-
tensions OF his friends. His family and most
intimate friends are evidently prepared for
the worst, as there is fear that
the erysipelas heretofore confined to the face
has gone to the brain. The physicians concede
that this being the case the result is almost in
evitably fatal. DR.. John A. Vincent of Spring
field, ILL.,, the old family physician of Mr..
Springer, has been telegraphed for at the re-
quest Of the patient and with the approval of
the attending physicians in this city.
While Mr.. Springer's family have the great
est cohdence in the attending physicians they
hope that the presence of DIR. Vincent. who is
an old friend well rs q skiilful physician.
may buoy up the patient and help him to bat
tie against the virulence of the disease. This
Tor good results on the mental condition Of the
patient. During most Of the time Mr.. Springer
is conscious and. although suffering the most
intense pain day and night, is fully apprised Of
the gravity OF his condition.
Nh. sPRTSGER's HARD WORK.
Since Congress met Mr.. Springer has been
working very hard. and while other active
men in the House we're more or less
overcome by the fatigue Of the speaker
snip night and the work and excitement
attending the organization Of the House he
held out with wonderful strength and energy
After the announcement of the committee on
ways and means he started at once the work
on the tariff bills. He worked for hours
In the night and day, getting up
statistics and all possible information on the
subject of wool and wooden manufactures.
Some days before he completed his work on the
report on the wool bill his strength began to
give way. He had symptoms Of the grip and
nervous prostitution
WHEN HE FINALLY GAVE Up.
He kept up, however, until he had finished
his report and not until four or five days ago
did he take to his bed. He then had erysipclas
in the face in addition to nervous prostration.
He grew considerably worse for some time
after taking to his bed, but was better
yesterday. He has not been unconscious and
he spent fairly comfortable night. Young
MIR. Springer came to the Capitol this morn
ing feeling that his father was no worse than
yesterday. Shortly before IL o'clock he was
sent for, the fear being that his father
vas dying. Mr.. Springers assistan. clerk
went to the house also and on his return
gave the first informa ton at the Capitol of
what Mr.. Springers condition was A large
number of members called at the house to make
inquiries and great anxiety was felt among his
colleagues.
SUDDEN CHANGES OF CONDITION.
Later in the afternoon Mrs. Springer stated
that her husband had grown no worse since the
first alarming decline in his condition, and
that while his situation was extremely serious
she still had hope. Half an hour later a message
was sent to Speaker Crisp by young Springer
that MIR. Springer had suddenly grown worse;
that there were five physicians with him and
he was dying. The Speaker at once sent a mes
senger TO his house to keep the House informed
OF Mr.. Springer's condition.
Mr.. sPRINGER's CAREER.
Mr.. Springer has for many years been one of
the most valuable members of the House and
by his services has honestly won leadership
He has served in the House since the beginning
OF the Forty-fourth Congress and has twice
been candidate for. the speaker
Congress he made a strong canvass and it is
believed by many that he would have been
elected Speaker had the Illinois delegation
stood firmly by him. He has been one of
the most conspicuous men on the
the two parties. No other man in Con-
gress has been SO well supplied
with general information as he. He has been
called by some the fountain head of all infor-
nation on matters of legislation and parlia-
mentary law, and his great amiability made HIM
always ready TO share the fruits of his labors
with any OF his colleagues.
HIS PRONOUNCED INDryrpr.rrrv
He was a man Of most pronounced individu-
ality. Being one of the most earnest parlia-
mentary fighters in Congress and an active
partisan. SO well armed as to make his assaults
particularly effective. he was yet SO capable of
self-control that there is probably not a man in
Congress who has ever seen him show signs
of anger.
In the thickest of the fercest fights that have
occurred in the House Mr.. Springer has been
seen here and there and everywhere dealing
blows to his opponents, but always smiling and
unruff1ed, and with spirits as fresh rs the pink
which always appeared on the lapel Of his
coat
He probably leaves not one enemy in Con-
gress, and, if death calls him, his loss to the
House will be no small matter. There is but
one expression from all his colleagues 1t is that
OF anxiety and sorrow for a personal friend,
who has always been the most amiable kindly
hearted, generous and forgIying OF men.
Mr. oNElLLs TRIBUTE.
MIR. O'Neill Of Pennsylvania, who has been
associated with him since his first appearance
in the House, though of different party,
said today: HE is a man who by Ills good
ness OF heart has won the regard of
all men about him, and who by conscientious
work has for years deserved the leadership of
his party. His death would be q very great
loss to his party and to Congress"
Mr.. Springer Is native of Indiana, where
he was born May 80, 1886. He removed to
Illinois with his parents in 1s4S, but returned
to the Indiana State University, from which he
graduated in 1858. One year later he
was admitted to the bar. In 1862
he was secretary of the state consti-
tutional convention of Illinois, and from n to
" was in the legislature. He was chosen a
member OF the House of Representatives for
the Forty-fourth Congress and has since served
with distinction, deyoting his energy and his
superior ability to the great national questions
which have arisen during his time.
Mr.. Perry Given q Divorce
The divorce suit of Charles II. Perry against