The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-10
MADE RICHER BY A DRUNK.
Chicago Man rs Ahead 100000 as Re-
suit of Senator's Spree.

FROM the chicago CnrOnlcle.
"Whisky has made and lost the fortunes
of many persons, but it is seldom a specific
case of overindulgence In the juice of the
corn or has been the direct means of
bringing wealth to anyone, save as the
amount expended i'm acquiring the jag may
increase the Golfers of a saloonkeeper."
The speaker was Joseph Parish, form
erly of Chicago, but for some years a resi-
dent of Washington, and he smiled med-
tatively as he watched the uncertain steps
of q wel-dressed man staggering away
from the bar of hotel buffet.
Let me tell you an instance where
case of plain drunk netted a man $50 CO.,"
he continued to a reporter for the Chron-
icle. Pack in the sos 1 had a claim be-
fore Congress amounting to some $4,000.
It was war claim and as il had been
knocked back and forth between the two
houses for ten years or more | despaired
of its passage. Session after session it
was introduced, to be buried beyond hope
OF resurrection. After several fruitless
efforts / at last managed to get the claim
through the lower house, and at the close
of the session it lay on the desk of the
clerk of the Senate, waiting its turn on
the regular calendar.
Senator Cullom had promised to call the
bin up at the first opportunity if unani-
nous consent could be secured, but the
days slipped by and no action was taken
The last night of the session-it was
March g. 1887, and the Senate had been
sitting continuously for many hours-l
went to the chamber and took a seat in
the spectators gallery. Senators Edmunds,
Iloar and one or two others were fighting
for a bin on which party lines had been
rather closely drawn and the hours passed
by in fruitless debate and tedious roll calls.
There were numerous attempts TO bring
uD private bills, but objections from the
Republican leaders killed the chances for
any such action. 1t was along about mid
night; l had almost given up hope of my
claim being taken from the calendar when
a slight disturbance at the door of the
Senate chamber attracted my attention.
The next moment in walked Senator Rid
dlebcrger of Virginia, the associate of
Gen. Malone of readjuster fame in that
state. indisoutably drunk.
what followed is largely matter of
newspaper history. Riddleherger took his
seat and the senator who at that time had
the floor continued his remarks. The Nir-
ginian present rose to his feet and in husky
tones insisted upon addressing the Senate,
although repeatedly called 10 order. He
finally walked into the aisle and began
speaking wildly and incoherentiy The ser
geant at arms tried to get him back to his
seat. A sensa tional scene followed. Riddle
berger put his hand to his hip pocket and
deHed any man 10 touch him on peril of
his life lie was finally dragged down the
aisle to the door, and, after a brief struggle
forcibly thrust IN the ante-room.
During the uproar Edmunds, Hoar and
| a few others who had been leaders in the
fight for regular order left the chamber
in disgust, repairing TO the restaurant for
cold tea or other refreshment. l had
been so much engaged in watching the dis
turbance on the floor of the Senate that 1
had forgotten my own claim, but an in
slant later, as order was restored, Sena-
tor Cuiom, quickly taking in the situa-
ton and realizing the opportunity, rose
10 his feet and asked unanimous consent
to take up House bill No. -- and pass it
under suspension of the rules. This was
my measure, and before / could believe
| my senses the bill was taken from the call
endar and passed without objection. A
| dozen other senator's secured similar recoe-
milton and put through special bills in
! which they were particularly interested be-
! fore Edmunds. Hoar and the other OBJ
| jectors returned to the Senate, when see
ing what was going on they promptly put
an end TO the special business and took up
| the regular order.
80, you see. Riddleberger's overIndul-
! gence in liquor while running his reputa-
ton and sadly shocking the dignity of the
august Senate was the means of my get
! ting 100000 l never see a drunken mau
now but that l feel like lending him a
helping hand because OF that lucky wind
| faun