The Seattle Republican., 1901-09-13
HE VOTED WRONG.

HE VOTED WRONG.
In a lonely as well as lowly little
home near Albuquerque, New Mexi-
co, lives Edwin G. Ross, who was at
one time United States senator from
Kansas, and who enjoys the distinc-
ton. if such a distinction can be en-
Iloyed, of being the man who saved
President Andrew Johnson from be-
ing impeached One vote more
would have impeached Mr.. Johnson
and he would have been driven from
the White House in public disgrace.
a thing which has never been done
as yet to any president of the United
States Senator Ross was an enthus-
iastic Abe Lincoln Republican, and
differed most widely from President
johnson in his reconstruction ideas.
/ but when the president was put on
trial Ross took no part in the discus
he intended to weigh the evidence,
and, if in his opinion, the trial of the
president was political one, and not
a judicial one, he would not vote for
Impeachment. He kept his word,
and at the supreme moment he cast
his vote with the Democrats and saw
ed Mr.. Johnson from being impeach-
| ed. For this he was hooted and ieer-
ed at by the entire Republican party,
and in many instances by all patriot
ic men in the North. From that
time on the unforgiving public
pointed the finger of scorn at him
wherever he went and wherever he
appeared, either in public or in pri-
ivate. His term expired as United
States senator, and he left Washing
Iton city the most despised man that
ever filled such an honored position.
Returning to Kansas he found his
welcome there an iceberg. He found
it impossible to engage in any bus
mess and be a success at it. for he
was pointed out as an even worse
traitor to the country than had An
drew johnson himself proved to be-
firing of the cold reception that he
received wherever he went in his
adopted state, Kansas, he cast his
lot in the territory Of New Mexico
and took up again his old trade. a
printer, at which he worked for
many years, barely keeping the wolf
from the door. Subsequently he
was appointed governor Of the terri
tory by President Cleveland. which
term Of office he served out, but on
retiring therefrom he engaged in the
printing business again, and until re-
Gently he has followed that trade de-
spite of his age and decrepitness. FL
nally he sold his plant and bought
him mere hovel for home in the
suburbs Of the city Of Albuquerque,
and now surrounded by a couple Of
pet dogs, a few chickens and some
pigs, he spends the closing hours Of
his eventful life in absolute lonli-
ness. 1t is said he still seems to see
and hear the corn and derision her
aided at him by the general public
for voting as he did, but he stillclings
to the idea that he voted Justly and
correctly and that johnson did not
deserve being branded as a criminal,
as the senate at that time wished to
do. Since his departure from Kan
sas he has been a Democrat in poll
ties, and still continues in that faith,
not that he believes in Democracy.
but because he. was spurned by the
Republicans. The lot Of the wander
ing Jew must be nothing in compar-
ison with the lot of this man, which
lot he has been forced to live since
he cast that fatal vote to sus-
tain the policy Of Andrew
johnson. Your sins will surely
find you out. The sins of your
fathers shall be visited to the third