The National tribune., 1890-01-23

ness, being perfectly content in her sphere Of
home, where She too, is absolute queen. en-
throncd and crowned By the best husband in
the world as she herself exr esses it.
A few more such couples as those sent TO tho
5lst Congress from South Dakota, would 20 a
long way toward answering the oft-rensated
question, Is marriage a faiIure?"
Judge Clifford is a large man With something
of a roll in his gait, that makes him seem very
indifferent to his surroundings, but he gener-
ally manages to get there all the same. He has
a heavy suit of dark hair and beard, slightly
sprinkled with gray, pair Of large. expressive
eyes, and the countenanee Of a stalwart. He
is good friend and good fellow to know gem
orally.
They have one child, bright little boy, who
seems to inherit his mothers originality,
though he scorns the thought that he resem-
bies her IN person, for he thinks his papa Is
much the better looking.
HON. JOHN A. PICKLER,
Representative, was born near Salem, Ind:
moved to Iowa when a lad, in which State hs
was educated, and whence he went 10 the war
enli5tIng twice before he finally made IL. He
was only IL when the war began, and ne vol.
unteered 20 go to the army during an absence
of his father from home; but he met his father
when only 10 miles On the way, and after a
strong protest from him that the boy was too
yonng to bear the hardships Of army life, he
returned home. His ambition was undated,
however, and like the impOrtunate widow, he
finally, by constant agitation Of the subject
gained the old gentleInan's consent. and a wear
later enlisted IN the 81 Iowa Cav, of which
the present Assistant Secretary Of the Interior,
Cyrus Bussey, was Colonel ard John W. Noble.
the Secretary, was Adjutant. He served two
years as private and non-cOmmissioned officer,
re-enlisted as veteran, after which he was
rapidly promoted, retiring finally as Major Of
his regiment
After the war he purchased a newspaper in
Missouri, which he made a stepping-stOne to his
higher education. working as devil in his
own Office during the vacations Of the Iowa
State University first. and afterward the Ann
Arbor Law School, in each Of which he earned
degrees.
After skirmishing around between the States
OF Missouri and Iowa as plain lawyer, States
Attorney, etc, he was chosen a Garfield cleo
tor for the Second District Of Iowa in 1880, and
was elected member Of the Iowa Legislature
IN 1882. In the same year he removed to Da-
kota, and was elected to the Dakota Legisla-
ture in 1884; was Chairman Of the COMMITTEES
on appropriations in the House
In April last he was appointed Inspector in thu
Interior Department and sent by Secretary No
bic to Oklahoma as Inspector Of the Public Land
Service to establish Land Offices and superin-
tend affairs during the rush in the settlement
of that country. Mai Picker Is a hustler
from baskerville" and he assured me that il
took all his hustling to hold his ground when
the food came. He justified the Secretary's
choice, however, and his services have not only
been highly commended By the Secretary, but
the Western papers have dealt out unstiuted
praise
Maj. Picker IS 45 years Of age. large, WE'LL
built. strong, and fine looking His heavy suit
of black hair, mustachs and chin whiskers
show no gray; and his clear-eut forehead aud
nose express strength Of character. He Il a
typical Western man, with no scollops or non
sense, and his wife is IN word and deed his
other SELF This lady is another Mrs. Logan,
not only in her devotion TO her husbands IN
terest. but in her efficiency also.
Why, they say that she IS q better politician
than | am, out home" said he, and have \
sneaking notion away down in my boots that
this is only plain statement Of facts"
The Major is too broad man to be jealous
Of woman. and he positively glowed as ho
told Of the work his wife had done both for
himself and the State. aud recOuuted her pOpH-
larity there. Like Senator Moody, he Is :
strong sufTragist, and in speaking Of that Ia
declared that the devotion OF our women dur
ing the war had made him so. When he had
seen tender wives and mothers yielding NJ
their loved ones 80 unmurmuringiy, though
with breaking hearts; and others IN the hos
pitals and on the field after the battle caring
for the poor, shattered boys, and vet others as
home. using their slender stock OF piu-money
lud toiliug to get up fairs. preparing boxes OF
good things 10 send to the army. he felt that
nothing he enjoyed was too good for the women
Of his country.
When he was nominated for Congress his
wife was by his side, as usual. and was sitting
tn one OF the boxes OF the opera house az biz
elbow as he stood on the stage making his
speech of acceptance and thanks. At its close,
determined that she should have her share Of
all his goods, including the hOuoTs achieved. AS
they were, together-nOt the wifes usual
;tingy third either, but half-a big half as
.hat-he referred to her something like this:
And now, gentlemen, ladies and fellow-eitf-
zeus, | want to say to you that there is a liitIs
woman here who deserves my public thanks
also for the aid she has been to me in ali my
career. Ny wife, who has never ALTERED az
anything that she thought would assist me7
The house was in an uprOar instantly hats
thrown up feet stamping. hands elapping and
salls from all quarters for Mrs. Picker. Judgs
EdgertOn aud another gentleman went into thu
box where she sat and induced her to stand up,
which increased the uproar teniOd. Finally,
the Major, raising his lion-like voice so as TO
attention, shouted:
Gentlemen, / wan it distinctly understood
that | am the only member of the Picker fam
ly that IS running for Congress at present.
This let him down. and after another storm
If applause they subsidized.
Hon. John A. Picker takes his seat in the
list Congress- and he. too. desires TO be put on
record as a champion Of liberal pension legisla-
ion.
MsiOr and Mrs. Picker are accompanied By
Hiss AHlt, sister Of Mrs. Picker who is =
fright, intelligent young woman, and likely to
% very popular one. She is q useful member
# the family also. acting as the Majors private