The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-01-24
SOME BORN FOR CONGRESS.
Most Arc Ease mated with the Life, and a
Few are Disguised.
(F rom the Philadelphia Record. J

Washington, Jan. Sis there faScI-
nation about the life Of q Congressman
Most people fancy there is. Whether there
is or not, the Congressman alone can de-
ter1nine. Certain ii. is. that one term does
not always beget desire for second
term. A striking instance of this was
the Congressional career OF Miles Toby
Granger In his native state of Connec-
ticut he had been a judge of the Supreme
Court-a Judge who had carved his name
among those Of the most distinguished
jurists of the state He presided at the
celebrated Malley trial, and bore strik-
ing resemblance to Gen. U. s. Grant.
There was nothing superficial about him.
He was as solid in intellect as in tex
ture and practice-of the law. In CONVEX
sation, AS on.the bench, he was never frivo-
lous.nor did he ever waste q word. No
more adjectiyes or adverbs were used than
were necessary to convey an idea. And
withal, he was one of the most lovable OF
men, because he was obliging and attend
ed strictly to his own business. The
House Of Representatives, however, had
no charm for him. Day after day he sat
well back in his seat, twiddllng his
thumbs and listening to discussion. His
regard for the proprieties of the House
forbade his using the pen while 1t was IN
session. He uttered no complaint when
importuned by constituents to run
through the departments. Nor did an
avalanche of pension cases dismay him.
He listened to the interminable flow OF
words in debate, at first with attention,
then with WEAKNESS, but ne never retired
to the cloak room. He seemed to be an
chored TO his seat, and to take the pro-
ceedings of the House as punishment In
the discharge of duty. At the END OF
his term he said he felt as though be had
lost two years of his life. He was 20 dis.
satisfied 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 re-
pugnance to Congress, although his father
had been congressman he had no de-
sire to return to the house. hSusseilaoage
found Wall street. far more attractive
than Congress. John II. Starin regarded
his term In Congress as waste OF time.
On the Other hand, there are men who ap
pear to be fascinated by the life of Rep
resentatiye in Congress. Sunset Cox was
a born Congressman. His burdens,
though really heavier, seemed to grow
lighter as the years rolled by. lie was
importuned morning, noon and night,
oftentimes by those who had no claim
upon his attention, yet he never lost his
yivacity and good nature. He fairly re
yelled in forensic contests, ana did the
work of half dozen men in committee.
As presiding officer he was unexcelled.
The life was certainly fascinating one
to him-so fascinating that ne lost his
life in carrying out its responsibilities.
Nor was Cox alone. Rarely has there
been more affecting scene in the House
than on the night before the retirement
of Judge Payson of Illinois. He had
served many years, and was chairman OF
the Committee on Public Glands. Able,
brilliant, and accomplished, 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 re-
viewed his career in Congress, schalleng-
ing the inspection of every motive and
defying criticism. His associates sof both
parties were gathered around him.
Among them were the veteran holman OF
1nQland, JOS6pn W. OhHiioh " At'i'oAo,
Gen. Charles h. Hooker of Mississippi,
Richard p Bland and William FL. Hatch
OF Missouri, and score of other vetera ms
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 loving fare
well of his associates. His words con.
WINGED everybody that Congressional life
had peculiar charm for him, but he re-
turned to the people uncomplainingly,