The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-06-21

ly negro, glorious in white vest and huge
gold-bowed spectacles. On his intelligent
face rests an expression suggesting deter
mination and executive ability not often
found in negro of his depth Of color. This
negro politician is Robert SmalIs Of South
Carolina, ex-Congressman, ex-colector OF
customs and ex-steamboat captain.
Smalls won nearly as much fame steam
boating as he ever has since in politics, al
though his career in politics has been quite
successful. But it was in steamboating that
Smalls sprung into fame. During the war,
while Charleston was in the possession Of
the Confederates, Smalls was captain Of the
harbor steamer Planter. He was a very
smart negro to have attained such a posi-
tion in the days Of slavery. 1t turned out
that he was considerably smarter than the
Confederate owners of the steamer suspect
ed. AS the Planter day after day piled back
and forth in the harbor of Charleston, Cap
tain Smalls could see far out in the road
stead the Union flag flying from the gun
boats of Uncle Sans blockading aeet.
Gradually the idea took possession of him
that he ought to be a free negro, and: that
the old steamer Planter ought to be free
with him. So one day, when the moment
seemed favorable, Captain Smalls crowded
on all steam, took the wheel himself, raised
the stars and stripes and headed the old
Planter straight for the open sea. Before
the ast0nished artillerymen in the harbor
forts could prevent the Planter was safe
with the Union fleet.
Smalls's exploit made him very famous,
and after it 9eryOne who went to Charles
ton during the war, wanted to see the cap
tain of the Planter. One day the Planter
was conveying party down the har-
Dor, among whom were two spruce young
Union officers, who did not know Snalls.
Seing a negro lounging about the steamer,
one of them called, Say Cuffee, come and
black my boots"
"Tse not Cuffee; Use de capting OBJ this
boat" was the answer of the indignant
sailor.
Since then Smalls has learned to speak the
English language like white man; and he
is as dignified and polished in his bearing as
the average Caucasian politician.
Richard Vaux, the eccentric Phiadelphian,
who has Randall's seat in the House, is
sad successor to the great protectionist If
looked at from tariff point of view. But
he is as independent as Randall in some
other respects. He has no sympathy for
free silver; and his shaggy, canine head
may be seen looming up On the Republican
side whenever the Democrats are perform
ing for the benefit of the free coinage
scheme.
The Democrats do not know exactly what
to make of Vapx. That he is the only
American who eyer danced with Queen
Victoria rather helps him in their eyes; but
they cannot have entire confidence in a gray
haired man who wears huge seal ring on
the forefnger of his right hand. Were it
not for the traditional hospitality of the
party towards rings, 1t is doubtful of the
Democrats could stand the ornament of
Brother Vaux's right forefnger.
One of the most anxious and industrious
opponents of the free coinage scheme in the |
House is young John F. Andrew of Massa-
chusetts. Young Andrew is Massachu- |
oSsso hhdS lump WIN uao olAOWO0 lilo AdNiOdA |
free trade convictions to switch him into the |
Democratic party. But it is not within the |
laws of nature that the son of John Albion |
Andrew should be Bourbon, although he |
sits as an associate of the Millses, the |
Breckenridges and the brigadiers. Unlike |
the Bourbons young Andrew is not ready to |
vote for something he does not believe in |
simply for the purpose Of getting up circus |
that may embarrass the Republicans
On questions Of finance Andrew and Lodge
may be seen working together. And one
who sees them and knows their histories and
positions in Massachusetts, cannot help re-
gretting that there are not more questions on
which Andrew can work with Lodge.
Mr.. Cannon, in handling the suDdry civil
bill, showed his skill and ability as a mana
ger Of an appropriation bill,-not the least
difficult thing to steer through the House.
There is no spread-sagle oratory about Mr..
Cannon. and when he is managing measure
he does not encourage it in others. In this
way he saves time, which is OF great import
ance. There are men on the floor more bril-
liant than Cannon. Butterworth, Of Ohio.
when he managed one of the appropriation
bills this session, charmed all by his elo-
quence and grace. But he inspired everyone
else to do the same, and the committee Of the
whole became entangled in debates and
broils that wasted more than week in spite
of all that could be done.
But when Cannon gets into the aisle, puts
his left foot up onto the arm of the nearest
chair, and his left elbow onto the elevated
knee, and then, being sufficiently doubled
up, begins to shake the foreinger of his
right hand at the Democrats, every one
knows that nothing but the hard facts is
coming So they make no more fuss than is
necessary while Uncle 10 drives the appro-
priation bill along.