Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-14
IN PEN PHOTOGRAPHS
The Senators Who Have Been Visit
ing in Pittsburg Appear.
SOME OF THEM POSSESS WEALTH
The Funny Nan of the Halls of Legislation
Was Here Also.
HOW he RESCUED THE GOVERNOR ONCE

1t was the cream of Pennsylvania's SEN
ate that skinned over the penitentiary
scandal this week. A more notable party
of Commonwealth statesmen has seldom
gathered in Pittsburg. Of the number
which conducted the inquiry about half
have occupied seats in the halls of legisla-
tion for many years. They are dignifed in
appearance, gentlemanly in their personal
bearing and experienced in executive and
legislative ability. The business-like man
ner with which they proceeded while in the
city separated them entirely from the mem
ories of that rsg-tag element which some
times makes iunketings of the lower House
committees.
Yet the visiting Senators never declined
to laugh when opportunity presented itself
One Of their number was George Handy
Smith, who for years has stood unrivalled
as ''the clown of the Senate" His face is
repository of smiles. Handsome side
whiskers of auburn hue do not hide them.
He is portly in build, always dresses mag
nifcently, and is never without a fat roll of
greenbacks in his pockets. He got rich in
the jewelrv business of Philadelphia and is
now one of that city's retired merchants.
SAVED BY A JOKE.
Smith once saved Governor Pattison from
modification, by joke. The Governor
had vetoed an important bill affecting Phil
adelphia interests. The veto was under de-
bate in the Senate. A storm of anger
seemed to have been aroused by the execu-
tive's objections. The debate indicated that
the bill might again secure two-thirds
majority and thus override the veto. 1t
was a principle on which Pattison had
staked his reputation for legal knowledge.
For some reason Senator Smith made up his
mind to defend the Democratic Governor.
'tMr. President" he said, rising quickly,
"I move the chaplain be sent for"
"Why?" murmured dozen voices.
because His Excellency sent us his
scripture by preacher Rev. DIR. Evarts,
Private Secretary to the Governorl, and we
should have preacher to carry our prayers
back to the Governor for withdrawal of
the veto."
The veto was sustained owing to good
humor that followed.
PHILADELPHIA LAWYER.
Senator j. Edgar Reyburn, Chairman of
the Appropriations Committee, is said to be
one of the wealthiest lawyers at the Phila-
delphis bar. He was originally an Ohio
boy, but had splendid education in the
East. He was President pro tenn of the
Senate few years ago and won reputation
as a strict disciplinarian. 1t was not an
unusual thing for him while in that chair
to order the Senate doors locked and barred
to keep a quorum in the chamber, or to
send the Sergeant-at-Arms, with posse,
down to the depot to haul Senators of
homeward-bound trains, and bring them
back to the Capitol building in order to get
desks cleared off
Someone asked him at the Hotel Apder
son Friday night if he knew B. C. Christy.
Esq, the Pittsburg lawyer who was present
at the investigation to represent the anti.
penitentiary people. Looking across the
table intently at Christy for a moment Rev.
burn broke into laugh.
"Well, should say I do know Christv.' %
he said, as he reached over and shook hands
with him. 'I used to knock him out in
debate in the House,
Then it turned out that both Christy and
Reyburn were members of the House of
Representatives in 1875.
FARMERS AND SOLDIERS.
Amos II. Mylin, fully feet high. wear
ing pair of tightly-ftting gold spectacles
and speaking in quick, sharp tones, is an
other of the notable Senators who were
here. He is marvel, being now simply a
farmer, though having graduated at An
dover, Mass, and from the law department
of the University of PENNSYLVANIA. The
secret of it is that he is the owner of three
of the richest Lancaster county farms.
There's money in farming for him. Four
years ago Mr.. MyIin was President
pro tenn of the Senate. He pre-
tenant Governor Chauncev T. Black
the other half. At the end of the session
when scores were counted it was found that
the Lieutenant Governors decisions had been
appealed from three times, while not a
single appeal had been taken from Mvlin's
decisions.
Senator J. Stehman of the committee is
another wealthy Lancaster county farmer,
He is also cultivator and dealer in tobacco
leaf. He has been in the State Legislature
off and on since 1861 and was prominent in
the legislation of war times.
Senator j. P. S. Goblin, of Lebanon county.
is well known In Pittsburg on account of
his connection with the National Guard.
Now he is often spoken of as one of the next
candidates for Governor. He is man of
fine military form, and has great soldier
record. He served throughout the war,
starting in as a first lieutenant and rising to
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General. He
was also Provost Judge Of Charleston, S. c.,
during the war.
Senator L. A. Watres, one of the youngest
members OF the committee, is distinguished
for his scholarly appearance. He is classed
among the sharpest attorneys in Scranton,
and is an astute politician. Mr.. Watres is
Il L
and wears gold eyeglasses.