Morning journal and courier., 1892-10-03
NOTES FROM A CONvALEsCENT.
An Interesting Reminiscence-Thre
Noted Democratic Defeats-TheS Story

An Interesting Reminiscence-Three
Noted Democratic Defeats-The Story |
Briefly Told.
To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
1t ia not surprising to be told that the
followers of Mr.. Pigott have not that
elasticity of step and cheerful countenance
that they had few days since. Their |
cheeks do not glow with the enthusiasm of |
last week. Not but what they have cheek
enough, but it does not glow.
The three defeats of democratic candi-
dates in this district; all of them men far
superior to Mr.. Pigott in ability, in cul
ture, and in fitness for the position of con-
gresham, are staring them in the face,
together with the fact that those defeats
were all administered by the present re-
publican candidate, General Kellogg of
Waterbury.
The first of these wasJames F. Babcock,
q very prominent citizen of New Haven, q
man of ability both as a writer and
| speaker, and one who probably would have
proved an able representative of the dis
trict. He had long been a republican, and
was appointed by President Lincoln col
lector of the port, but he followed Andrew
johnson into the democratic party, and
they received him with open arms. 1t
should be remembered that the normal
democratic majority in this district, was
in proportion to the popular vote about the
same then as now, and yet General Kellogg
beat him easily, much to the surprise of
Babcock and his friends.
At the next congressional election John
Kendrick of Waterbury was the Demo
cratic candidate, and 1t may truthfully be
said that during the past thirty years that
J party has had but few shrewder politicians
in its ranks than John Kendrick. A Yale
; | graduate with the prestige of an honored
name, with fund of wit and humor thai
was simply inexhaustible- had q large
personal following that was loyal and de
voted. But General Kellogg defeated hin
with as much ease as he had beaten Bah
cook.
I At the election two years later the Demo
' Gratis determined that the district must b
redeemed. They claimed that with al
f fractional differences and qusrrels in tn
? party healed, they could by putting up
strong man remove the disgrace of havin
j.. the district any longer represented by
r Republican. They therefore selecte
T ex Governor James E. English a
n served in congress during the war, an
8 had won honor for himself and his con
e stituents. He was probably at that tim
the most popular democrat in the state.
y man whose character was above repro ict
70 of more than ordinary ability, of gret
wealth, and with many personal republ
It can friends, he was thought to be inviuc
If BILE. But in the meantime General kellogg
|. had greatly strengthened his position wit
the voters of the district. He had wo
|, for himself name and fame in the hal
10 of congress. He interested himself great
n in everything that tended to promo
the prosperity of the district, and
1t laboring to secure much needed improv
h ments he was indefatigable. 1t was durir
J. his second term that large number of Il
IN most prominent merchants and busine
to men of New Haven, irrespective of part
J. rendered him banquet at the New Have
Of house, which was a notable event. tt
D. election took place in the month of Apr
10 1878, and, to the surprise of even the R
t. publicans themselves, the general W
It. again victorious. His majority was We
of small, it is true, but it elected him. Lii
I'd Mercutio's wound, "it was not as deep as
i'd we'll, or wide as a church door, but it w
,h enough" It returned General Kellogg
i'd congress for third term, an honor whit
r. no other Republican in the district has g
es joyed. This was the most notifying ?
u" litical defeat that Governor English ev
at suffered, and one that the party has new
On forgotten.
re 1t is not surprising then that n
og Pigott and his friends when they see Il
of champion of republicanism and protecti
n, again enter the field should have paint
lie and serious doubts as to the result.
so 1t would be very amusing if the Pig
80 boom of 1892 should meet with the Sal
er fate as the Pigott boom of 18S8-when
We came so near getting the nomin alton, af
sf- very hot contest in very hot conve
er ton. AS the old song had it at the tin
ng "There came a burst of thunder sound!
d. Oh, where was Pigott then?
IN Ask of the ballots falling round,
Like feathers from a hem"
H. 'Long cherished hopes that promised fair
- Went down that day in gloom.
cu For the noblest thing that persisted there,
lal Was Jimmy Pigott's BOOM"