The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-10
WHINS0F BIG STATESMEN
-.oo, POPULAR POLITICIANS IN
MICE THEIR FUNNY FANCIES.

pufarGS-SpOrGS OF OIner FO4lGlC-dilS'
mon, the Neio York Press
Turing Gov. Hills stay i'll this city last
81 he met young Capt. Beecher of the
Vi football eleven, whose victory on the
Polo Grounds the Governor witnessed on
THANKSGIVING day. The young man was
;rtr,iurel by his father, Col. Beecher.
CONSIDERABLE foot ball talk" followed and
ba Governor surprised the Yale man by
Ne intimate knowledge Of the police of the
uona He declared that he would make
Journey from Albany to New York any
dow 10 see a good contest, and promised to
be nresent the next time the college men
+riad their skill. Like most Of our leading
statesmen. Gov. Hill has retained, through
tbo cares and troubles of public life, love
sbicb lent enjoyment in youthful days.
n1riue his school career, according to the
tostin6nv of Judge w. Il. Muller, his life
lonc friend and law partner, he was leader
IN Sald sports. Base ball was, and is yet,
~. favo,ite game. 1t is said that he won
quite local renown as a GatGher aua coul1 S
H. fine balls shot off of the bat, although
=, those days catchers usually stood dozen
toat back of the home plate and caught the
bail Oh the bounce.
When the Governor grew to manhood and
,yos admitted to the bar he did not lose in
terest in base ball. Whenever there was
came at Flmira he was pretty sure 10 be
among the spectators. He has been seen,
foo appaudlng good plays in the PROBES
sional games in this city. 1t Is said that ne
thoroughly understands all the intricate
rules which have of late years been intro
dnced into base bali, and even understands
base ball language.
The Governor also likes to throw off the
cares of State by visits to the theatre. He
has an especial liking for comic opera and
i NOT so Dious as to close his eyes when
GOOD ballet appears on the stage.
Ex-senator Warner Miller is another
statesman who is fond of games. He said
70 the writer at the Fifth Avenue Hotel a
few evenings ago that he had intended to
see the recent foot ball games, but uDfore-
seen obstacles forced him to stay in herkl-
mer. While in Washington Mr.. Miller oc-
crpied a seat more than once at the base
bail grounds of the Nationals and showed
that he appreciated good play. Whether
the ex-senator in his youthful days ever
received the plaudits of the HerkimerianS
for his skill in the pitchers box or behind
the bat cannot be aScertained, but certain
it is that he excelled in one game-billlards.
Even today, with his increasing rotundity
of form he handles the cue brilliantly At
the Riggs House in Washington he often
played before an admiring group OF states
men. One night he beat Congressman
Bayne, Of PittsDurg, who is known as the
most sBillful PLAYER in the House of Repre-
sentatives. Mr.. Miller is fond of the the
atre. too. While in this city he seldom
misses a visit to one of the places of amuse-
ment
Ex-Congressman John J. Adams, of New
York, is a great admirer of base ball. be
was daily ornament of the grand stand at
the Washington base ball ground, his com
panions generally being Congressman
O'Nell, of st. Louis, and Frank LAWYER, OF
Chicago, and Senator German, OF Mary
land Mr.. Adams was something OF local
professional 20 years ago.
Congressman Cox has always shown an
interest in out-of-door sports He enjoys a
good game IF base ball and knows nearly
as much about horse racing as a Kentucky
Congressman He was frequently on the
grand stand at Ivy City during the racing
season.
Senator German, of Maryland, who is
well known at the hotels in this city, takes
a deep interest i'll base ball matters. The
Nationals used to regard him as sort OF
mascot, because, they say, they seldom lost
a game when he was looking on. The Sena-
Wi WAS once lue cdDldln VI all l1lllCOJO O4bJ
Md nine and covered the first base.
When he was postmaster of the United
States Senate after the late war he man
aged Howard county nine. He Is close
friend of Mike Seaman, late manager OF
the WaShingtons. A few days before the
death of Vice President Hendricks, Senator
German was with the Vice President on the
grand stand at the Capitol grounds. The
game was between the Nationals and Mr..
Hendricks home nine, the Indianapolis club.
The statesmen grew so interested IN the con-
test that they gave vent to their feelings IN
silk hat wager on the result of the game.
Mr. Hendricks won and, it is said, was
wearing his trophy when be was suddenly
stricken down.
Senator Frye, of Maine, when in town
can be often found in the Fifth Avenue
Hotel billiard room. He handles the cue
well. While playing his usually sour face
becomes genial and his cynical smile broad
ems into a mirthful laugh. When he gets
thirsty he causes a terrible sensation among
the other players in the room by ordering a
glass of ice water.
Senator Beck, of Kentucky, is known to
the base ball players, too, i'll Washington
and in Louisville. He is better known,
however, i'll the vicinity of the race track.
NO statesman is better judge Of horseflesh
IMAM he and none enjoys more an interest
ing race. Once his love for the track was
put to terrible test. 1t had been for many
years question among his friends whether
the Senator would rather see race or de-
liver tariff speech. During the debates
preceding the appointment of the TaIltf
commission the question was forever set
tied. One day, while the Ivy City races
were going on, Mr.. Beck had ready a tariff
yolley which he hoped to send off in time
Tor nm to catch the train for the principal
race OF the day. Snarls among the Sena-
TORS took up couple of hours and Beck
could not get the floor until Is minutes be-
lore train time. He glanced at his watch,
looked fondly, lingeringly at the heap of
manuscript he had prepared, wavered for
moment and rushed to the Baltimore and
ONO depot. He afterward said that the
struggle was one of the fiercest of his life
senator Edmunds, of Vermont, is never
seen at public games, but he has a fine bill
Aard table at his Washington home and is
an excellent player. He and his daughter
take the cues every evening after dinner
and WELD them for an hour. The Senator's
speciality is said to be draw shots. His
laughter defeated him in series of games
last winter.
senator Aldrich, of Rhode Island, is
pious young man but he is fond of horse
racing
Congressman Breckinride owns q fine
sa6le IN the Kentucky blue grass region
qua is known at every Southern race track.
UUurlng the last session of Congress, while
.lorrlSon was watching for an opportunity
" get consideration for his tariff bill,
nnIeGKenrdge amazed him by taking the
huOle Kentucky 6plauo ticf, to fba Tvy Cifv