The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-15

a great ovation. and was spoken of as
the man who had at one time been the
youngest man on the floor of that House,
and had come again into service as the
oldest member of the body.
The fine house at NeVerdie, he had IN
the meantime given up. and had built
a much handsomer residence. which was
called Glen Marcy. after William l..
Marcy. once Secretary of War, with whom
he had very close friendship. Colonel
Berrets relations with Mr.. Lincoln had
been of the most cordial and friendly, as
were his relations with General Grant.
Colonel Berret was great admirer OF
Grant, whom he considered the greatest
general that the world ever saw.
Abont three years ago Mrs. Berret died.
She was Miss Julia Wright. She and
Colonel Berret were married nearly fifty
flVe years ago at Annapolis.
IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
Colonel Berret was a member of the
Electoral College of 1SSs. from the State
of Maryland. which cast its vote for the
unsuccessful candidates, Grover Cleveland
and Allen G. Thurman. Upon the election
of Cleveland and Stevenson in 1892, he
was again appointed Chairman of the
Inaugural Committee. In 1896 he was
elected First Vice President of the Wash
ington National Monument Society, to
succeed eX-Secretary Sherman, resigned.
Colonel Berret served fifteen years as
a director of the Chesapeake and Ohio
/ Canal Company. Arthur Pue German was
president of the corporation during ten
years of this time, and resigned the posi-
ton after his election AS United States
Senator from Maryland. Colonel Berret
was member of every Inaugural Com
mittee since 1871
An interesting incident in connection
with the career of Colonel Berret oc-
Cured a few years ago. when the Lord
Mayor of Dublin visited this country.
The Lord Mayor came to Washington to
pay his respects to the President. and
was rendered reception by the citizens.
! Colonel Berret was among those present
aud was introduced to the Lord Mayor
as one of Washington's former mayors.
The Lord Mayor had been exhibiting the
official chain of his office, which had been
part of the insignia of Dublins chief
magistrate for many centuries The col
lar was exceedingly heavy and ornament
ed with huge medallion. Its weight
was Such that a pin was used to faSten
1t at the back, In order that it might not
bear too heavily upon the neck of the
wearer. This chain the Lord Mayor took
| from his own neck and placed about
the shoulders of Colonel Barret, with
some remark, expressing his pleasure in
| placing the collar of the Mayor of Dublin
about the neck of a former Mayor of
| Washington.
Colonel Berret once bore the reputation
| of being the handsOmest man in Mary
| land His features were classic, and his
bearing particularly erect and soldierly.
| He was power in politics. though he
biu llul Stth pDlllltdl himself lie
knew nearly every man of any import
ance who came upon the political stage
in Washington, and was considered a
man of great ability He was consulted
on matters political by members of both
parties. and his advice was eagerly
sought by all.
He was a great horseman and always
drove fine pair. He was fond of his
farm in Maryland. and used to raise fine
stock there. Among clubmen he was
known for his skill at whist He was a
member of the Metropolitan Club and
was frequently there. In the streets of
Washington he was a notable figure be-
cause of his garb, which was rather un-
conventional. He used to wear in cold
weather soldiers cape, which he was
in the habit of throwing over his shoulder
with a graceful gesture. He wore a
black felt hat, with a large brim, and
invariably red necktie, caught around
his throat with a gold ring.
1t is understood that Colonel Berret
wrote an autobiography, but the manu-
script has not been found.