The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-12-07
WAR OF THE PAGES.
THE BATTALION ADVANCES
On the Oniesrs-Those who Have "Ishasnes.'
Some Sentiments and Prteedents that are
FolIowsd-Ths Case OF an 0rphsn
Boy without any Ibnaence.

WASHINGTON, December 5.-The annua
"war Of the pages" Is fairly on. 1t is a
picturesque in some OF its phases IS th'
"war OF the Roses" and as vision OF pol
itics in miniature is simply delightful
Lolling back in an easy chair for an after
noon doze sits, for instance, q kindly-heart
ed gentleman known to have that treasure
OF treasures, that sine qua non at the Capi
tol, Influence" A ring at the door bel
and the colored servant announces a boy
visitor, accompanied, perhaps, by refined
looking sister or a mother in widows
weeds.
The lad, neat as q fashion plate, hat in
hand, and with modest, yet manly air
says: "I was page, sir, in the last Con-
gress, YVES appointed from Ohio. Gener'
al Thomas Young was my Influence l
think, sir, II you would speak to the Rep.
resentative from my district, could be re-
appointed" /,
"But, my dear boy, you are too late, I
long ago promiaed my voice Tor another
young gentleman, and you know you would
not have me falsify my word to him."
"But," chimes In the sister, timldly,
"Johnny was a good page, and has sayed
money with which to go to college, and II
you would speak to MI. -, (naming the
Representative think it might do good." "
III am quite willing" says the gentleman
besieged, for the caller Is but one of FIVE
who have been to him on similar errand,
ito say to the Representative that know
YOU, and that your appointment would suit
me. but YOU know that the Democratic boys
will point you out as Republican, and
your .chances are small. have already
pledged what little direct influenced have
with Mr.. Wintersmith, and / know you
would not have me 20 back on my prom.
promise. Had you come to me first, lwouid
have as soon supported you as young MAI
lory."
Sister and brother bow themselves out,
the smile OF hope scarce hiding the look of
disappointment on either.
Up in the cottage OF Dick Bright, the
perhaps outgoing Sergeant-atArms Of the
Senate, whose ever open house is in keep.
ing with the normal condition OF his heart,
something historical Is to be learned on
page question, and correspondent seeks
II there.
WHAT THR SERGEANT ALARMS SAYS.
"The sergeant-at.arms Of tho Senate"
says Mr.. Bright, "has not the same tribu-
lation in the matter Of pages as newly.
elected D oorkeeper OF the House, for he Is
aided by an old, and think good rule,
introduced by Mason, Of Virginia, in 1857,
but which I found practically dead letter
on my coming into Office. Iudeed, Hound
men us old as myself on the page roll, for
the sake OF the S2 so per day, while the
actual pages were compelled to take the
two dollars per day Of the laborers roll. A
liberal and proper construction OF the rule
was this: AS it required that boy should
be bright and capable Of taking an educa-
ton, not over twelve, should not serve over
fiye years nor be over sixteen at any
period OF service, held that he should be
near enough to twelve years to be able to
serve for two terms Of Congress and not
be over sixteen, and that he should have
connection In the city sufficient to see TO
bis moral and physical welfare. II then
he proved capable, l held that mutual
Obligation existed, as at West Point, and
the Government to provide for four years,
the lad TO serve that period. Also arrang.
ed that half OF the pages only should go
out each year, and thus insure efficient and
experienced service. As the rule provided
that that the appointments should be
made before the assembling Of the Senate,
have had little trouble. l have had
touching experiences, however. One day,
lust after l had been sworn In, the Senate
was in executive session, and | was in my
room surrounded by q dozen men, when
in walked q very mite ef boy, looking
like Napoleon, little hat in hand and
with q surtout, buttoned from knees 70
chin. He paused in the middle Of the
room and said, lis the new Sergeant.at.
Arms here?" said l was the man.
II have come" said the lad, ito see II /
couldn't be appointed page"
BY this time the whole company in the
room was interested. "Who recommends
you," I asked.
@Nobody, sir; am an orphan"
"But have you no friends2'
A SENTIMENTAL VIEW.
sThe Senators from North Carolina ought
to be my friends. I am North Carroll.
MAN."
He spoke this out like a Senator and with
evident pride. "In a minute more," said
Mr.. Bright, ~ had the boy on my knee,
and my heart had gone out to him. l told
him that there was but one more page to
appoint and that one would have to do
special duties ss well as those ordinarily
belonging to page. Igave him, in jest,
an idea Of the gravity Of those duties, and
he undertook them all. Invent to the
door OF the Senate, called Senator Ran.
som to the door and psked him II he knew
the boy or his family. He did not, but !
insisted on appointing the lad to the one
vacancy, and here he Is ou:side-just out
lawed for the Senate by length OF service,
and seeking TO finish his self.education by
reappointment to the House,"
Mr.. Bright went to the door and brought
in Master Helm, eaid to be one Of the best
pages ever known-still o boy in stature,
and q gentlemanly one in demeanor, and
one who impressed the gathered callers 81
much as he did the company assembled in
the room Of the Sergeant at.Arms I've years
ago. This is but chapter Of the actual
history Of the present struggle for pages
positions struggle In which 1t Is i'm
possible to satisfy all, and In which there
are perhaps more heart.burnings than are
involved In similar contest among men.
-%s>-
What Wallace Thinks.
From ORr Special Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, D. G., December6.-Jona.
than Wallace, Of Canton, Ohio, stated TO-
night 10 your correspondent that his con.
test against William Mckinley, j., for hii
seat in the House was pronounced by old
lawyers in Congress as being good, and