The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-16

The Cheese-ParinG Meanness of the HON.
William Steele Holman.


William Steele Holman.
Washington Letter in Kansas City Times
While adverting TO the matter Of personal
popularity of mem bers the fact is brought to
notice that of all the Representative in Congress
perhaps Mr.. Holman is the most unpopular
with his colleagues. and is more roundly and
continuously denounced than any person the
floor Notwithstanding this feeling Brother
Holman Yields very wide influence over the
mem bership IN respect to fear of his opposition
and although repeated attempts have heretofore
been made and now are almost daily interposed
TO SIT down on him, somehow other that
contamination so devoutly TO be wished is rarely
If ever accomplished. When Mr.. Holman rises
puis his right fore6nger into the palm of his left
hand and IN squeaky tones proceeds to state his
objections cold shiver intuitively runs down the
backs of members. especially those interested
In behalf of the measure under discussion, VINO
fear the srocco blast of the Indiana She, VINO
manages usually to make himself obeyed
While Mr.. Holman talks tho press representa-
tives in the reporters gallery with universal
accord put mp their quilts of dfsapprobation like
porcupDes
Dir. HoIma1's sconomy although possibly
sincere even though frequently doubted, is OF
parsmonious nature. Wnile doubtless by his
vigilance he may have saved large 10 the
government and repressed attempted fraud on
many occasions, he frequently carries his
economic habits to the verge of rioiculousness,
and by this means impairs il not destroys his
capacity for usefulness legislator. which
otherwise would be very great AS illustra-
ton of the growth of this habit upon Mr.. Hol-
man, az he becomes older, the story is vouched
for absolutely correct that when he assumed
the craftsmanship OF the public lands committee,
he declined 10 approve the clerks reouisition
for the necessary stationery for COMMITTEES use,
limiting the supply TO one inkstand, small
bottle OF ink. q quire or TWO of legal cap paper
and piece of blotting pad
If member of the committee desired paper
he was forced to apply to the clerk for a sheetof
legal cap. No pencils were allowed, aud all had
to take dip into the inkstand. which. to
saw the least, exceedingly inconvenient II
stood this thing" said a member of the co mmit-
1aw-~ o1. -1,l rhlu n@l~
peculiar views public economy ''as long
my patience would bear, and at a recent meeting
of the public lands committee introduced res
ointion directing the chairman to approve
requisition for stationery, which would afford
the table three inkstands and each member
block or writ'n paper. q scratch-book. PEN
holder and pen. botting pad and peociL
For fear of woundng Brother Holman in his
tenderest part put the motion myself and the
resolution was adopted by the committee. The
requisition was duly made ont. but do you know
that Brother Holman actually carried it around
in his pocket for week before he could make
up his mind to approve it and cause the same to
be forwa rded TO thu stationery cerk7'
gentleman having business with a member
of the public lands committee recently repaired
TO the cotnmittee-room TO transact it, and was
obliged to make written statement. He looked
around for a pen but pen visible. There
were three large inkstands the committee
table but they contained never drop of ink
Paper WAS necessary, OF course, but not scrap
was there. In fact, the only paraphernaa
braced some ten more large botting pads
which were rendered useless by lack OF accom-
panyiug writing supplies. Upon nquiring why
this poverty existed while large a surplus
in the Treasury, the gentleman was politely
informed that she chairman of the committee,
Mr.. Holman. determined that wasteful extrava-
gance should be repressed, had given orders to
strip the tabls and keep the ink and stationery
carefully iocksd up except at committee meetings.
When the clerk returned TO the room. however,
he kindly supplied few sheets of paper and
loaned the uss of his own pen and ink.
An Illinois member who sits near Mr. Hol-
man states that, however much he may try. he
cannot keep lead pencil MIR. Holman"
said he. has borrowed four lead pencils from
me within tbs past week or two aud forgot to
return any of them. Somebody is always bor-
rowing my lead pencils principally Brother
Holman, and am tired of ii. Hereafter
shall refuse TO loan my pencil TO anybody but
newspaper men. who always have one to spare
in case fellow wants tc borro W from them Do
you think you can borrow pencil from Brother
Holman2 You just try It once and see how the
venture will pan out 1t is dollars to cents he
will reply ne has not got one. or If he has he
will fix bis eagle eye it while it is loaned and
be sure to reclaim it."