The Washington times., 1895-01-13
CLOAKROON AND GALLERY.

A number of newspapers of the North have
lately made quite a feature in the discussion
of Daniel Webster's habits, especially in re-
lation TO the SANDERS that have been pro-
nounced against him in connection with the
use OF wine and liquors. Col. Walter H.
French. the file clerk OF the House of Repre-
sentatiyes. is one Of the most indefatigable
collectors of newspaper and other informa-
tion about prominent Americans.
On the point of Websters habits Col. French
thought that no testimony would be so good
as that ofthe great statesman himself. Ac-
eordingly he has hunted out a quotation
from the diary OF Philip Hone, at one time
mayor of New York city. and one of Mr.. Web
ster's most intimate personal friends. In
this diary Mr.. Hone says:
''Dr. Johnson says someyber re, Who that
ever asks succor from Bacchus was able to pre-
serve himself from being enslayed from his
auxiliary l am reminded of case in point,
but not attended with the bad consequences
imagined by the great moral essayist. Din
ing many years ago with my lamented friend,
Commodore Chuncey. / remarked 10 the
distinguished statesman, Mr.. Webster, who
graced our party, My dear sir, see that you
]
of a glass of good wine.
by no means, he replied, and will tell
you how Ii came about When / began to
practice law in Massachusetts l was honored
by the notice and friendship of Christopher
4 Gore. who frequently invited me TO his house.
On one occasion, seeing me look pale and
/ feeble from effects of study and hard work,
he kindly inquired how lived. told him
Jared rather poorly at my humble lodgings;
4 that ate corn beef and cabbage and drank
water
"'That viii not do said Mr.. Gore; you
must drink glass of good wine occasionally.
and eat an apple after dinner to promote di-
gestion' But said, Il cannot afford to
| drink wine i will take care of that, said
my liberal friend. and from that time l re-
ceived occasional presents OF fine old wine
| from his well-suppled garret Well, sir. it
did me great good. l recovered my health,
and was enabled TO pursue my duties and
perform my task with renewed yigor. But,
! alas like beleaguered city which is COM
PEELED TO call in the aid of auxiliary forces,
/ repulsed the enemy; but the auxiliaries
| having est ablished themselves in the citadel,
1 have never been able to dispossess them"
"The next Congress- I fear will have some
similarity to the famous 'O'Connor legisla-
ture.' OF Ohio" said politician of the Buck
eye State yesterday.
1.-THE 0'Connor legislature was elected in
the fall of 1877. All the Ohio legislatures are
known by some name gained by prominent
feature which characterized them. Follow
ing the O'Connor legislature was the Coal
Oil legislature. and every other session Of that
| body has some distinctive name.
"But the '0'Connor legislature was one OF
1 the most remarkable in the history of Ohio.
4 Up to the time il was elected there had been
no case since the war in which about thirty
| five counties had gone other than Repub.
! lican. They could be counted on for sure
1 That state of affairs had gone on 30 long thai
the few Democrats OF these counties only
| nominated candidates for the legislature as 9
| matter of FORM They never expected tc
elect their men. All they could do was tc
run somebody so that they should not appear
10 be completely demoralized. Many mer
were nominated simply rs joke.
'Now, it happened that in the fall Of 1877
there was political landslide very muci