New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-18
THE CONVERSION or HOGE.

The return some time since to Roanoke, Va
of Colonel John Hampton Hoge from htfui
and Intellectual attempt to reach Annoy, Chiha'
where he had been commissioned to represent
the Democratic party of this country in con-
sular capacity, was doubtless reminder to the
| citizens Of Roanoke that he that goeth forth
| and drinkcth bearing much whiskey, snail
doubtlcss come again with effusion, bringing
his jag with him.
Recent adyices from Roanoke Indicate tnat
the Colonel has become suddenly and unexpcct-
edly sober That is to say. he has severed ms
relations with the party which he so indus
triousy and faithfully represented in Juggling
across the continent n jag OF such massive
nroportions that the cowboys on the plains,
who are supposed 10 be familiar with jays OF
all slzcs-from single drink to gallon jug, ana
all degrees OF continuance, from little all
night.cr 10 n three months jamborcc-smpy
stared at II in amaZcmcnt as 1t staggered by.
There Is reason TO believe that the Colonel was
not moved by mere love of rum In this trans
portation enterprise, but was rather animated
by n sincere desire to represent his party prop
erly in the mission on which he WAS sent. THIS
hc WAS determined to do even if he had 10 get
off at FL Paso and take on a fresh cargo OF the
long-range Installations Of the vicinagc, small
ouonttics of which have been known to sap
the vitality OF the hardy cactus and eXhilara'c
the usually obduratc and unsocal mule. HAY
ing accomplished this patriotic task. he WAS
astonished and Disguised to be recalled when
he had reached San Francisco. Returning To
Washington he took excellent care not To dimn-
ish the iag on the way. And then an llngrat"
full Administration informed him that he need
not go 10 China at all
There was no reason for II unless. perhaps II
was that In the present condition of the Treas
urv IT would reduce the revenue from the tax
ON whiskcy too much 10 let SO large consumer
le1yc the country. At any rate. the colonel
did not like the way the Administration had
treated him. and Immediately took steps toward
abandoning the party 10y proceeding To get
sober We infer from the latest adviccs from
Roanoke that the process has been pretty nearly
COMPLETED. and that the Colonel * now almost
il not entirely in his right mind lie proposes
to Join the Republican party lie has lrhdcr"'
his services" Il Roanoke dispatch says, I" the
Republican City Committee What particular
service he proposes Ia render i not stated hui
we presume it is 10 appear aS nm awful cN-
ample" of what a man may expect from INC
Democratic party after having Illustrated lis
doctrines and tendencies in Il laborious Journey
Of three thousand miles and back.
As for the Coloncls joining the Republican
party we do not know that there is any special
objection 10 il: that is. 50 far ~ his voting for
Republicans Is concerned. He cannot hr hin
drrcd from that nor would We hinder INN II
we could. But venture 10 suggest that this
Is Il time when So many dSGrntl"d Democrats
are knocking AT the door that ii may be- ncccS-
sary rs precautionary measure I" establish
period of probation for new converts. ana tllat
they should not be- admitted To full communion
until they have spent some little time voting
the ticket and wearing off the effects Of long
and heavy Democratic jays.