The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-05-24
JOHN MoRRlssEY'scoMMlrrEE

How the Old-Time Congressman
Head or Schemes Of His Const1tu-
ents.
Schuyler Colfax used to delight in
telling Of an incident that occurred
when he was speaker Of the house and
John Morrissey. the New York expire
fighter and gambler, was a representa-
tive in congress. Like all presiding Of
ficers Of the house, says the st. Louis
.Post-Dispatca, Mr.. Colfax found the
making up of his standing committees
a perplexing problem. 1t was on the
evening Of the day previous to the an
nouncement of the list in the house that
the speaker, in his room at the capitol,
receiving members and listening to
their pleas for good places was at last
left alone with his secretary. Just as
the tired speaker Was cOngratulating
himself that his task was at last COM
pleted, the stalwart ex-pugilist from
New York came into the room and
with a deferential duck Of his head
inquired if ''Mr. Speaker" was too busy
to hear a few words that he had to
say. Mr.. ColfaX began to parry the ex-
pccted request before Mr.. Morirsscy
could prefer it.
''Why," the speaker began in his
sJnOOthest manner, cts the committees
you want to see me about, Mr.. Norris
sey, of course; but you know new
members are never given very i'm
portant places, and there is such pres
sure by state delegations and prom
inent men for positions that first-timers
have to be content with minor places.
and
Eyes, Mr. Speaker Morrissey broke
in, chats just the thing I've come to
see you about My friends down in My
district they want"
Certainly" interrupted Colfax, "you
would like to please your friends and I
would be delighted to give you a place
on a good committee, but
Morissey at this point suddenly broke
in on the flow of words with:
''Say, Mr.. Speaker, how'd you like
them cigars?"
In relating the incident Mr.. Colfax
said that it then came to his mind
that a few days previous he had re-
ceived two boxes of especially fine
cigars, and supposing they had been
sent him by one of his old friends in
lndiara, had already consumed good
many Of them. He now realized that
Morrissey had sent him bribe and he
had accepted it. The pugilist's que>
ton, under the circumstances, was Il
clear Knockout, and it gave the pugilist-
congressman a chance to say what I'D
to this time he had no opportunity Tor
doing.
"Now, Mr. Speaker he went on,
you can talk a good deal faster and
better than can, but just let me finish
what came to say and then you can
talk all you want to. Ever! body knows
| that I've been a prize fighter, gambler
and generally speaking tolerable
| tough sort of customer. And I've got
! a boy at home that'll be told all Of
this as he grows up and runs agin the
world. Thinking about this before last
election came on, I concluded that It
| would be good counter to those shots
If my boy could say after awhile, YES,
| tllats so, the old man was something
OF a rounder in his time, but he was q
II ember Of the American congress- So
| just pulled off my coat last fall.
waded in. got elected, end here am.
| Now, said he, I knew just as well as
| you do. that amt fit to be in con-
gress-I don't know nothing about max.
ing laws and I am too old to learn.
There is a gang of fellows in my dis
trict ever there in New York, who are
coming down here to see me about INV
being put on a big committee where
can help them out on some of the
schemes they're going to bring before
congress. Now, don't owe them fell
lows rap and don't want to he made
a tool of, and I was afraid some Of
them had fixed up the thing with you
and I'd better come to see you. And"
Morrissey concluded, NOW Ill tell YOU
just what want. I'm congressman,
and L suppose I'll be forced to go on
some committee that has nothing to-
do or rever has a meeting, put me on
it and I'll keep you in cigars for the,
Whole session"
When the li3t of committees was an
ntunced by the speaker in the house,
next day Morrissey was the last man
of the committee on revolutionary
claims.