The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-09-20
In the Good Old DAYS of Free Passes.

Several Washington off Gals who
CHANGED to meet the other evening were
lamenting the present scarcity of railroad
passes, which deplorable state Of affairs
was brought about by the passage of the
interstate commerce bill several years ago.
Before that time passes were plenty, and
nearly every man holding an important
office with any patronage attached thereto
could display pocketbook well lined with
the festive "trip" and ''annuals.n MANY
of these fortunate passholders were gener-
Gus in loaning them to their friends, and
numerous amusing as well as sorrowiul in
cidents there were that often befell the
borrowers, as two or three of the gentle
men above mentioned were well aware
judging from the personal experiences they
related. One of these gentlemen, who
holds a high position in government service
in that city, told the following adventure
which befell him while riding on another
mans pass. He says:
"a number of years ago | was about to
leave the western partof Pennsylvania on a
trip to Washington, when | met a friend.
one Mr.. E., who was then a member of the
legislature of that state. On learning of
my proposed trip he kindly offered to chalk
my hat as we called it those days or, in
other words, he rendered me the use of his
annual pass over the Northern Centrsl
railroad. Having been assured by nv
friend that could easily assume the role
of member Of the Pennsylvania legisla-
ture protempore, at any rate, [ accepted
the offer and went on my way rejoicing
Il had been in the car only few minutes
when my attention was called to the ap-
parent nervousness of a seedy-looking in
iividnal who sat near the front of the car
AS the conductor approached the seedy
passengers uneasiness increased But
when the ticket taker finally reached him.
the former drew himself together, assumed
As bold front as his appearance would
permit and handed the conductor an an
aual pass. The ticket puncher scanned the
pass, brought his lantern square around so
is light glared full In the face of the pass
bearer and asked You are Mr., are
you. Are you member of the Pennsylvania
legislature = The man, who looked more
ike hungry tramp than like statesman,
replied that he was Mr.. A searching,
professionally doubtful expression came
nto the conductor'e face, which seemed to
ay: i know you are lying, but / can't
cry well prove it just now, so I'll have to
ct you ride At any rate he returned the
Ass, and resumed his work of punching
md taking up tickets.
"You can perhaps imagine that the in
,erval between this conversation, every
word OF which / overheard, and the time
he brass buttoned railroad official reached
me was not the most pleasant period in my
life But was determined not to back
put, for l had sufficient confidence in my
self to think that if that fellow in the front
of the car could work through on pass
not his own, certainly had an equal
chance for doing the same Therefore
handed out my friends pass with all the
assurance could muster, and as the con-
Guctor took it and read the name, he ex-
claimed: I am very glad to meet you. Mr..
E., for you can help me out of difficulty.