Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-06-04

"Reminiscences Of ihs Famous Congressman
LrDm Nolorn,ln.

gross by James b. Bolford, who won a
national reputation AZ an orator, and
was something Of bon vivant besides.
Baliord looked like Latter Day Saint
OF the brigham Young period. His
upper lip was smoothly sbaven, and the
other parts of bis face was covered
with a thick red beard. His hair was
the color OF sunset ON the Colorado
desert and gained for him the aobri.
quot OF The led Headed Rooster Of
he Rockies. y Ii waa dull day in
Congress when leltord had nothing to
say, and his speeches were always
worth hearing.
The passing from Bedford from Col
orado politics was recalled tho other
day by Coloradoan, in the presence
OF Chicago Times Herald reporter,
who couldn't toll questionor the
namos Of the two Congressman repre-
senting the Centennial State in tho
present session, About the only time
their names ever appear in newspaper
ia when yea aud nay vote on some
important bill is printed, and even
then they can't be identified as Col
oriidoans without reference to the Com
gresslonal dictionary. Bedford is living
In Denver, but ho has not done much
since 1884, except to be retired Con
gresham. Ottoman H. Rothacker, a
one-time brilliant Denver editor, re.
ferred to the Red Headed Rooster after
his downfall as "a saloon transparency
with the light put ut"
One of Belford's Performances that
kept the House In good kiumor for u
day was the introduction b, him of a
bill making 1t a crime punishable by
death TO adulterate liquor. He spoke
on the bill and argued that 1t was not
the alcohol that racked mems nerves
and brought on delirium tremens but
the impurities in the liquor When
lielford arose to speak Samuel !. Kan
dali and Sunset Cox (both OF whom
were his warm personal friendly wero
seated close by holding a whispered
conversation.
MIR. Speaker. - Bedford began 1--WE
most all recognize tho fact that tie uso
of Intoxicating liquor in this country
is great and growing evil"
81 believe Jim is going to maze a
temperance Speech" said hipdal
audibly TO Cox.
But, Mr.. Speaker Bedford ron
tinued, as he turned and gazed com
passionately at his two cronios, Eve
must also recognize the fact that thre
arc some great and good men who will
use it"
Tho smiles on the faces Of the tyo
men suddenly disappeared. THY
ceased whispering and began to take a.
interest in the proceedings
II a man puts poison in my food, :
Bedford went on, "and | die from til.
effects of it, the law says that mar
shall be hanged. | want tho mar
hanged who puts poison in my
whisky"
Randall and Cox nodded approvingly.
I'VE have "A pure food bill E; now give
us pure whisky"
Now Jim's talking sense" said
Randall to Cox, ana they got up to-
gether ana went down to the Houst
restaurant.
In the days of Belford Colorado
Representative felt called upon TO dis
cuss other national matters in addition
TO the silver question. Bedford was III
advocate Of a high protective tariff ant
made many able speeches in favor o.
that policy. He argued that a protec
tive tariff stimulated manufactures
that the manufactures would thereby
he in position to seek an outaidl
market, and that American commerce
would once again float on the high seas
Bedford ofton INDUCED in rhetorical
| flights and was fond Of metaphor. IL
moments of excitement he was liable t,
get slightly mixed ON the outcome, "a
was the case in one Of his tarii
speeches. This was the peroration;
Mr.. Speaker, | expect to see tn
day when tho white wings of American
commerce will DO spread all over tn
bosom Of the broad, rolling Atlantic
lie stopped for IA moment and thoi
concluded, "where the bright SUI
pauses to kiss the dew drops from tn
| rose.
In 1884 a fierce fractional fight raget
at tho Republican State Convention
between the followers of Senator N. y
| Hill and tho friends of Secretary of tn
Interior Henry NJ. Teller. Bedford
late al night, strolled into the head
quarters Of candidate for Cioyerno
and went to sleep on sofa, A mum
per of persons tried to prevail upol
him to occupy bed in an adioinin,
room, but no refused.
We'll, then, judge" said one o
thom, get up and take off your collar
it's choking you. F."
Bedford sat upright and, placing
forefnger upon his high standing col
lar, said solomnly:
~ want you to understand that th
is my collar; l bought it and paid fo
it. j don't wear Henry M. Teler's no
N. p. Hills collar, and that's NOR
than you follows can say. "
4 TERROR no HUmOhIs7s.