The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-01-26
SOME ARE BORN FOR CONGRESS.
Most are Fascinated with the Life, and
Few are Disguised.

clnatl0n ABOUT the lie or a congress-
| man? Whether there is or not, the
| congressman alone can determine.
Certain it is that one term does not al
ways beget desire for a second term.
A striking instance of this was the con-
| gressional career Of Miles Toby Gran
ger. In his native state of Connecticut
he had been a judge of the Supreme
court a judge who had carved his
name among those of the most distin-
sided al the celebrated Malley trial
and had Striking resemblance to Gen.
| U.S.GrantThere was nothing superficial
about him. He was as solid in intellect
as in texture and practice of the law. In
| conversation, as on the bench, he was
| never frivolous nor did he ever waste
| word. No more adjectives or adverbs
| We're used than We're necessary to con-
vey an idea. And withal, he was one of
the most lovable of men, because he was
obliging and attended strictly to his
| own business The House of Represen-
tatives, however, had no charm for him.
| Day after day he sat we'll back in his
seat, twiddling his thumbs and listening
to discussion. His regard for the pro-
prieties of the House forbade his using
the pen while 1t was in session. He ut
tered no complaint when importuned by
constituents to run through the depart
ments. Nor did an avalanche of PEN
sion cases dismay him. He listened to
the interminable flow of words in de-
bate, at first with attention, then with
WEAKNESS, but he never retired to the
coax room. He seemed to be anccred
to his seat, and to take the proceedings
of the House as a punishment in the
discharge of duty. AT the end Of the
term he said he felt as though he had
lost two years of his life. He was so
dissatisfied that it would probably have
taken yoke of oxen to drag him back
to the Capitol.
Nor is this an isolated case. Col
Henry Watterson expressed the most
extreme repugnance to Congress, al
though his father had been a Congress
man, He had no desire to return to the
House, Russell Sage found Wall street
far more attractive than Congress. John
HI. Starin regarded his term in Congress
as a waste of time On the other hand,
there are men who appear to be fas-
cinated by the life Of a Representative
in Congress. Sunset Cox was born
Congressman. His burdens, though
really heavier, seemed to grow lighter
as the years rolled by. He was irnpor-
tuned morning, noon and night, often
times by those who had no claim upon
his attention, yet he never lost his vi
vacity and good nature. He fairly rev.
elled in forensic contests, and did the
work of half dozen men in committee.
AS presiding officer he was unexcelled.
, The life was certainly fascinating one
to hin1-so fascinating that he lost his
life in carrying out the responsibilities,
or was Cox alone. Rarely has there
been more affecting scene in the
House than on the night before the re-
tirement Of Judge Payson of Illinois.
He had served many years, and was
chairman of the committee on public
lands. Able, brilliant and accom-
plished, there was no more popular man
on the floor. In the heat Of debate a
careless word concerning his career had
touched him to the heart. In language
pathetic and eloquent he reviewed his
career in Congress, challenging the in
spection Of every motive and defying
criticism His associates of both par
ties were gathered around him. Among
them were the veteran Holman Of In
diana, Joseph G. Cannon OF Illinois
Gen. Charles e. Hooker of Mississippi
Richard p. Bland andWilliam III. Hatch
of Missouri, and a score of other veter-
ans now dead and gone Mr.. Payson's
words were so touching that many eyes
were suffused, and each mans heart
beat quicker as the judge took a loving
farewell of his associates. His words
convinced everybody that Congression-
al life had peculiar charm for him
but he returned to the people uncom-
plainingly, and manfully resumed hic
place in the ranks.
Nor are the orators alone charmed by
Congressional life. Here on the floor is
Gen. John H. Ketcham of New York
trite and active after twenty-six years
of service-a man who has never ad.
dressed the chair except to ask unani.
NOUS consent for the consideration oil
some bill in which a constituent was
interested The life seems to have 6
( magical attraction for him. Never is hi
more happy than when accompanying
y some Of his old soldiers to Mt Vernon
or setting up a cold lunch for fire com,
/ panies on visit to Washington from
his district
This Congressional life seems to have
a peculiar fascination for member:
from the South, yet few die in the har
ness. In some cases. however, 1t wear:
away with terms of service Judge
Turner of Georgia, and Judge Culberso1
Of Texas, two of the ablest Representa-
tives, retired of their own free will from
the last Congress. The legislative proc
; ess to them had lost its charm. Ave
nues for promotion were closed; home
associations had regained their attrac
E ton. There are evidently blandish
ments in the life for the members from
Maine. The delegation remained un
: changed for fourteen years; then deati
opened the door for the accomplished
Burleigh. There is fascination in thu
office for the Speaker, although 1t hal
: been said that he bankers after a Law
practice in New York city. Reed
Rules-A Manual of Parliamentar,
Practice" speak for themselves, ant
i, his grandeur as Speaker is certainl,
calculated not to wean him from Parli
mentary life.
The brightest of those who lose tfei
, seats in Congress frequently return t.
Washington as naturally as children
return to their f1resides. They make i