Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-03-22

10 be heaYy, as II the Celt came IN Jnere. HIS
eyes are beaming, welcoming and alert. Tpe
expression Of his face is that OF one who en-
Joyed his career and the energy required 10
get IL more than the mere position. His as
cent was creditable TO hfs feelings and to his
family, and therefore he is disposed TO thank
God and be comfortable. Not much OF his
conversation indicates book-cramming; 1t IS
drawn from plain living sources ana Things
near by. Few men are more satisfactory TO
talk to, because he does not remind you that
you must not print this or that nor Dy any
sign Indicate that you are taking up his time.
He has been successful. no doubt, because ur-
banity is the law of his whole life, and in bus
mess circles. with the eminent or with the
humble, he finds compensation and sugges-
tion for giving his patience and attention.
Having come from plain walks, and been
from boyhood an Office-holder, he does not
take umbrage at others who would enter by
the same gate. He mas no harsh genefaiilt-
tions on anybody. and he maintains the A "a
grade of a Senator by his magnanlmlty.
"Public life has not Worn on you deeply.
Mr.. G0rman?"
81 think not; we like that country in which
we do well. / am SO years old this month.
When ] was 3 years old became page in
the Senate, and there remained for IA years,
when / eptered the service OF the Treasury as
collector OF internal revenue. and was removed
by General Grant, since which time have
been IN the politics OF Maryland as member
OF the Legislature, Speaker there, State Sena-
tor and for ii years have been United States
Senator, three times elected, and will hold
out until the last year OF this century, a
live.n
.sNhat were the circumstances which made
you page in the Senator"
.sBy father was a contractor and belonged
TO family OF contractors. Among his earlier
contracts was one 10 grade the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad up the River PatapSco. and
he became superintendent Of that uncom-
pleted railroad; ne operated 1t with horses
and with oJher cOntrlvance3. In the course
of time the corporation became embarrassed
and could not pay any body, aud my father
then opened stone quarr1eS at 9uilford, some
three miles from the railroad, and got out
granite for all sorts Of constructions. While
engaged on the Patapsc0 he married my
mother, and was born at woodstock. MY
father then acquired farm near Laurel,
which is some 20 miles from Washington
city, where passed my childhood. have
often seen the huge OK teams, IL oxen pulling
together, drawing out the stones which you
VIII see IN the old facade OF the treasury
building here. Those Ionic columns were
quarried In sections. Much OF the gran
ite curDstone or Washington City, the
lintels, &C.. were taken out by my
father AS the contractor on these roads he
became acquainted with public men. many OF
whom in those days were impecunious, as
he helped them out. He became intimate
with Judge Douglas, of Illinois. whom he adj
nired so much that he wanted his son 10
grow up under Mr.. Douglas notice and re-
gard. So | came TO the Senate to be page,
and lived in Mr. Douglas house down TO
about the time ne married Miss Cults. his
second wife,
s.Was there any connection between your
pagehood ia the senate and your fun senator
snip, as we now see iI?"
s.YeS; s0on after became page, or when 1
was about half-grOwn, the government went
into surveys for routes 10 California They
were ia fact, the Fremont surveying expe-
diIiOns. Because ! knew Colonel Benton and
Fremont and men OF influence there ! was
offered place In the expedition told Judge
Douglas was going 10 60 ] wanted 70 see
the world. and was filed with the passion 10
cross the mountains ana look at the wonders
OF the interior or this country. MY father did
not like 10 see me go OF that way; he thought
il would make me a rover. Unable 10 hold me
back. he had Mr.. Douglas talk 70 me, and
Douglas said: Arthur, that Is no way for you
than much wandering promises stay mere,
grow up in the Senate, acquainJ yourself with
men and measures and the law. and then 20
back 70 Maryland, where you came from. and
YOU can return 10 this body as senator OF
the United states. IL 10 not hard thing Tor
y0u 10 do if you make Il the purpose OF your
life.' The idea that should be senator II
took that advice influenced me. no doubt. 50
did not 20 70 the West, and. having lelt tne
senate as It's employee at the age OF ~, re-
turned senator in Is years.
saIs the influence OF Washington City con-
siderable on the boys or adjacent Maryland 2"
s.The influence OF Washington has been con-
siderable ever EiEce the Capital was surveyed
here, about 100 years ago. You know that
David Broderick was sLonecuLter. o. stone
cutters son, around the Capitol Duildlngs
Governor and Senator Klrkwood or Iowa was
a Maryland boy who was druggists clerk IN
the District Of Columbian Mayor Lafrobe OF
Baltimore descends from the architect OF the
Capitol building
aYou came N here c0incidentalIy with
Franklin Pierce ?"