Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-29
RICHMOND va THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2a 1898

pesuaded him was his scnse OF duty
..sny prevailed. He always regretted II
%iter ,he overthrow OF his friends' homes
ior MS possible accession to the nresi.
ue"cy' HIS desire was 20 become a SIN
pIene Court Judge. His administration
Vi 'pe ONCE OF Secretary OF State brought
upon MIN the abuse OF his foes and OF
some or his former friends. which grieyed
H'ln' Out he felt that time would vindl-
Vate MIN. though even the consolation Of
'ne thought that II would did not COM
pehsate for the sorrow he felt at the mo-
inent. Mr.. Bayards ambition had always
peen Tor life upon the bench In some
sutton which would equal his talents.
,ie was offered the appointment OF Chief
Susuce OF the United States by President
cleveland. but the opportunity came too
late. his hearing had become So defec,ive
'neh mat ne was compelled 10 decline a
place which. above all. he had before
coveted. In letter before me. written
Wlthin two years to personal friend
arOm the Court of ST. James. Mr.. Bayard
SAYS; The seat Of judgment among man
Ainu was always subject Of the great
70 reverence In my mind, and IL / ever
uherished an ambition. il WAS TO spend
lhe expiring years Of my life I'm admins
lerlng Justice according to law. Now and
then an opening for such a career. or such
employment. seemed open to me. bur
other duties called more loudly. and the
time passed when IL was practical or
possible"
PERSONAL APPEARANCE
In appearance Mr.. Bayard was a strik-
ihgly handsome man. He stood six feet
one inch in his stockings. and was broad
OF chest. His carriage was distinguished
and his face full Of character and
strength, but most kindly and winsome.
His smile was captivating and his whole
nature generous and frank He managed
his always slender fortune with great
care, and although he ever maintained the
state of gentleman. was econo-
mlcal. Careful Of his personal expenses,
he was prodigal in his gifts to the needy
among his friends and ever ready with
his check-book when distress was in
sight. His first wife brought him, per-
haps, $4,000. He never speculated, but
I'm the purchase Of lands IN West Virginia
made some money. His second wife was
a woman of means. but the Senator's
expenses were always large, and the
necessities Of his public station always
absorbed all OF his salary and the income
OF his practice.
NEITHER PRuDE NOR PURITAN.
In private life Mr. Bayard has been
neither a prude nor a Puritan. In his
family relations he was spotless. He
dearly loved q horse race, and did not
despise the convivial pleasures which
came with the removal of the cloth He
was especially fond. II it may be so stated
without a Misunderstanding Of the friend
ly offices Of q glass OF whiskey and
water, but never abused the presence of
the bottle.
. Mr. Bayard's life was a busy one. His
restless activity was incessant. His capa-
city for hard work was remarkable but
go TO him when you would, you would
never find him too busy to talk If your
mission were not a frivolous one. His Ii
brary or working Office would appear TO
some people confusing. His table was al |
ways covered with books and papers IN |
the utmost disorder, apparently but TO
him as orderly as an old maids bureau. |
When debating a speech or In converse |
tion he had q habit of walking up and |
down the room, with his hands in his |
pockets and indulging in monologue. His |
was rich, and If he talked |
ever so rapidly his words always fell into |
their right places so that they always |
made good sentences While he was a |
were carefully prepared and |
written out. usually by his secretary from |
dictation. but often in his own pic. !
turesque chirography. He was an excel |
lent French scholar and very popular |
among the diplomats. His life apart from |
his public career was that of very SIM |
pie republican gentleman. He INDUCED, |
except upon absolutely necessary occa-
sions. in no great social functions. He |
gave his hospitality freely TO his friends. |
but never made his home the resort of |
politicians. He was Of a shrinking Ia
ture. avoiding effusiveness, and had a
manner which was often taken for am
of pride. but it was no such
thing.
HIS FRIENDS.
or all of Mr.. Bayards friends ii would
be difficult to mention one who was quite
SO dear to him as the late William r.
Travers of New York. Mr.. Travers has
been dead now some years, but ne was
apparently the man whom Mr.. Bayard
was the most glad TO meet and from
whom he was the most loath to part.
August Belmont was. also, very dear
friend. OF his senatorial associates, John
g. Stockton, of New Jersey, Allan c.
Thurman, Senator Edmunds, and Don
Cameron were among those most agree
lble to him. His estimate of Cleveland
$ regarded by his friends as little cx-
rayagant, but perhaps not unnatural. OF
his home friends in Delaware probably
senator George Gray stood easily first
he and Senator Gray seldom had diff
erence between them, although in late
years efforts had been made to disturb
his friendship. Judge Grubb. one of the
members of the Superior Court of Della
ware. was also one of Mr. Bayards Della
ware friends, but Dr. Henry Draper, OF