The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-02-11

his constituents when other Democrats found
10 dlihcult TO obtain an appointments
There was O club to which these gentlemen
belonged, and frequently che seductivs Vama
OF poker was introduced aud the Congressman
played high, as an S0ulherners DO. His luck
varied, and sometimes he found himself on
the minus side Of the game. ii he desi red TO
borrow. there were always those who we're
anxious to become his banker, and so he was
frequently indebted to some Of the party. This
placed him under Additional obi cations 10 hia
friends, but they were not troublesome credi-
tors, and he driftod along until the prODer
time came, when he was told that t was neces-
Sary that the bills which had been referred TO
his sub committee should be favorably rsport-
ed aud passed by the House. Whatever mighs
have been his personal views upon their merits
no was then in no condition Co act independ-
entity, and he promised 20 DO his best I'm tho
matter. He did so, and every measure was
favOrably reported and was passed Ho per-
sOnally interceded with many Of his party
associates who We're hostile to the project, and
killed a great deal Of che opposition
After this was accomplished bis friends pro-
fessed their gratitude for his assistance. and
continued their friendship until the following
session, when the same program WAS repeated
with the same result He was nO5 reelected,
and when his term in Congress expired be
opened law office in this city For one year
be was the paid attorney Of tho samo party
who had controlled his action while he was I'm
the House, and during that time he dourishsd
Ike a green bay tree. Then Congress in a
spasm OF economy struck at the root Of the
project he had been advocating, and tho men
who bad employed him bad no further Interest,"
in the subsequent proceedings
He was then thrown upon his own RESOURCES
and he found it rather uphill york He had
contracted an extravagant habit Of living
/. r-N.. e. a
his reduced income could not support For
awhile he kept up bold front. aud tried 10 20
with the same set that he had got used to. bue
that did not last very long, and then he Sought
assistance from those who had been his former
clients. This was given for they realized how
valuable his services had been to them but
men get tired Of being repeatedly asked for
loans, and there is a limit to the average gen
erOsity.
It happened that in the days Of his prosperity
he had placed a lady, who was Of good birth
and lineage, in one of the Departments and bad
kept her there for some time after he bad re-
tired from Congress- Finally her place was
wanted by some one actually in power and his
protege was dismissed. He supported her as
long as he was able. for he had established the
most intimate relations with her. and when his
funds gave out she became his breadwinuer,
and for several years this man who had held
an honorable position in the legislature Of the
Nation, who was weIl-educated, Of good legal
ability, and who bad naturally good amount
of energy aud industry, derived his principal
income from this source. He, of course, lost
cast with all right-thinking men. and became
a mere hanger-on Of the hotels and Hobbies at
the Capitol. Occasionally he would have .
client and sometimes be would win his case
but those who knew the inside Of his life do
spsed him. He finally became very very iIl.
Dissipation had made sad inroad5 in once
good constitution and il was thought be would
not recover He had the best Of medical at
tendance, every delicacy that an invalid could
crave, and he rallied and became comparati vel
strong. His sickness seemed to have awakened
his moral sense, and shortly after his recovery
he returned to his native State, having Inherit
ed a small fortune from a relative that enabled
him to live fairly comfortably until his death.
When that was announced there was the usual
public mention of bis distinguished services, OF
his generous nature, his legal ability, and his
many good qualities, but those who knew him
best knew that his life had been wasted and
that the commencement Of his decay was when
he took his seat as Member Of the House Of
Represent atiyes. FRANK It. HOWE.