The Portland daily press., 1895-11-02
CAPT. BASsETT DYING.
An Interesting Personality Passing Away
in Washington.

Washington, November THAT inter-
esing personal ity, Capt. Bassett. is lying
at his home in this city at the point OF
death. Those who are in regular atten-
dance on him say he can hardly survive
longer than two or three days The ply
sicians and nurses have given up hope,
and his death is looked for almost at any
moment The old mans Strengths grad
ually vanishing. Last might be was too
weak to turn himself over in bed. His
stomach is unable to retain the little
nourishment swallowed. The irritation of
this organ has also been the principal all
ment At his advanced age it might be
excepted that there would be a falling of
all the powers. But the captain, always
a prudent man, has hushanded his
strength, preserved his vitality, and re-
tanned until extreme old age almost full
possession of remarkable physical pow
ers. Capt. Bassett has always enjoyed the
entire respect and confidence of public
men whom he has served Or who may
have come into personal relations with
him. More than that he has had their
p ersonal esteem and friendship.
1t is his boast and his due NEED OF
praise that he has been longer in the ser
vice of Congress than any other officer
ever employed by that body from the
foundation of the government to the
pres emit moment. From page under the
eve of Webster to "assistant to the SER
geant- alarms" un6 O. the eye OF sumner
and later of Sherman-what q long record
of official duty; what career for the OBJ
servation of public affairs and the acqui-
sition Of personal information OF distin-
guiShed men.
1t has bee. remarked that locked up in
his breast are many startling secrets,
and many curious incidents which would
surprise the world if revealed. But those
who know the old captain best. say that
he will die with nthesmore luminous OF
these secrets unrevealed. His scrupulous
sense of honor and his abundant careful
ness, combined, will keep them well hid
den. But it is known that his memoirs
have been prepared, and that the manu-
script is now in the custody of lawyer
of this city Perhaps these would have
been published in his lifetime but for
his desire to avoid even the possibility OF
wounding the feelings OF certain states
man with long ago he had, against his
will. but in discharge of his duty, some
unpieasantness. 1t is said that the BIZ
oorapby abounds in anecdotes of senators
and others connected with the public
bueinessl as well as personal incidents
illustrative Of Congressional life Such
prolonged career in such. a place could
not well be barren of incidents, even if
the nerson who lived it were not as OBJ
servant Gas the venerable captain has al
ways been. He has frequently given hints
Of occurrences, full information of which
he : declined with shake of his white
head to give. These and many others
matters he has doubtless received for his
memoirs. To the public the news that
Oaptain Bassett is so near the close of
his long andiuseful life, while not unex
pected, will cause deep regret and sincere
expressions of sympathy. me .! most t
EPanital will be missed here, for his place
cannot be filled in this generation and
may not be filled for generations to
come