Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1883-06-13
ALEXAYDa aR HAMILTON STEPHENS.
4 Few Aasoi,ts Told in the City Of His
Nativity.

Governor Stephens had An especial
fondness for young folks. says the At
lanta Consultations. and he was particu-
iarly kind to reporters who dealt fairly
with him. One thing that he always
insisted IN WAS that he alone should sup
ply the news of the executive Office.
Soon after he went into Office, the Con-
stitutiOn's young men noticed things re-
markabiy dry aoOut the executive office.
and after few queries learned that the
Governor had ordered no news to he Civ
en- to the press. That night the Con-
stitation's young man was in the office
at the mansion. The young man was
feeling little blue. because an impor-
taut source of news had been taken
away. and In voice that showed his
anxiety. remarked:
..Governor, ! believe you have in
structed the secretaries and clerks in the
Executive Office to tell me nothing'"
II have" was the reply. my first
order is that no person connected with
the Office shall mention anything that is
said or done there.
"But, Governor asked the reporter,
show am to get my department newsp''
Turning around to the young man, the
face of the Governor lighted up with a
smile as he anAwcred almost with shout:
"Come to me; I'm boss"
He was as good rs his word. After
supper the reporters would drop around
and the Governor always kept them well
up with the news. Sometimes he would
throw in a good story for their amuse-
ment as o'clock was his leisure hoar.
One night three Of the "boys" were
there. They were scattered around the
room, one young fellow leaned on the
mantelpiece, another rocked in an easy
chair, and third sat over by the secre-
tary's desk. The Governor told them
the news Of the day, and rs they linger
ed he began to talk Of times that wert
before the reporters knew OF this land
and cline. Said Mr.. Stephens:
! II shall never forget my first triE
away from home, nor the impression
Il made on me. l was quite youns
man, and some business fell into m!
hands that carried me north. haa
never been as far rs Washington before
and Of course wanted to see what wa
therc to be seen. / went into the Senata
gallery and took my seat. could easil..
pick out the prominent men by the pict
ures that had seci. Of them. Prett,
soon question came up and the Presi
dent Of the Senate announced that MI
4 Webster was entitled to the floor. @
course was very much gratified that
was to hear him. He arose and bega
speaking in an ordinary conversations
way. Think he took his snuff occasion
ally. He never made gesture fror
the time he opened until he closed.
thought It wae all sound doctrine, but
was convinced that l knew dozen co
leee bows who could have beaten hir
speaking. The next morning | pickle
IN 4 paper. There WAS his speech
beaded: MIR. Webster's Great Speecn Q
the Finances Pshaw. I thought. the
don't call that great speech, do they
, saw another paper. There it was agaii
beaded Mr.. Webster's great speec.' Q
the finances. Invent to Baltimore. Thet
they had Mr.. Webster's great speech 9
the finances. I reached Philadelrh
and everybody was talking about NJ
J Wcbst,r's great speech on the finance
/ Got TO New York. There everythin
was in . ferment over Mr.. Webster
great speech on the finances. II w
The same way in Boston. So concIu
"a that It must indeed be = great speec
Il put me to thinking, and | made
nv mind that il was not the way ms
said ANYTHING. but what he said 70
made him an orator. =
Il WAY with such stories - the abo
fhat the Governor entertained tha
J. porters when they had moment to spa'