The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-01-22

IKE HILL AND THE CORRESPONDENT.
first caucus of Il party coming into pow
er is only nominally secret assembly,
because the business before it is so we'll
known to all and the results must be so
speedily announced that it would be
folly to undertake any secrecy other
than the protection of members as to
the particular language used by them
in discussing the merits and dement's of
aspirants for the highest honor in the
bestowal of the house.
Committee rooms on the gallery floor
will probably be occupied by the vari-
GUS candidates for the positions of SER
geant-at-arms, clerk, doorl<eeper and
postmaster. These gentlemen and their
friends will be intensely interested in
the outcome of the deliberations of the
statesmen and their merits will he as
carefully considered as are those of the
candidates for the higher offices. They
who seek these positions, however, are
anxious to secure them rather for the
salary and emoluments thereof than for
the honor which is conferred in their
selection.
"a ASN Nodio NHCI VIC CuuCuS VI
the democratic party was considering
the Mills bill, which then occupied the
interest and attention of the entire
country, Col. Ike Hill, mentioned above.
had carefully guarded every avenue of
approach to the hall of representatives.
| Unfortunately, however, one of the
gallery doors was hanging upon single
hinge, and it was SO heavy that it was
almost impossible for one man to close
it, and therefore, none too careful
messenger had permitted it to remain
open. This fact was observed by your
correspondent, and one of the guardians
of the marble staircase was lured away
by n brother newspaper man with q
cigar and good story | hastily as
cendcd the steps and took my place on
the outside of that door. For nearly
three-Quartcrs of an hour took short
hand notes of everything that was said
upon the floor, until, becoming cmbo!d-
cned by success, l leaned too far for
ward to look upon the scene when Mr..
breckenridge, of Kentucky, was deliver
ing an impassioned and elaborate
speech. Col Hill, standing upon the
floor of the house beside the speakers
desk, observed the indiscrction and i'm
mediately started for the gallery. Your
correspondent, instantly divining the
intention of Col. Hill, retreatcd to the
east staircase and there encountered
Col. Hill as he was ascending. There
was n stormy scene for few moments,
for the deputy was exceedingly angry,
but the matter was amicably adjusted
! without a personal encounter.
Nevertheless, complete report of
that caucus was published in the lead
ing iailies the following morning, much
to the regret of many leading statesmen
who had uttered imprudent, not to say
unwisc, sentences during the debate.
| There was some talk of passing a vote
of ccnsurc upon the newspaper man
who had thus surreptitiously obtained
an account of the caucus, but that folly
soon subsidized and buried itself in for
getfulness. No majority i'm either
house of congress will ever be so fool
ish as to undertake the passage of such
Il resolution concerning any news
gathcrcr. There was u time in this city
when newspaper men bowed as lowly
to the statesmen as do their most wor-
shipful constituents. But there came
to Washington man named Dom
Piatt, who inaugurateda new era in the
journalism of the national capital. lie
took the ground that statesmen were
no better than newspaper men, and
were dependent. in great measure, up
ON the favors of the gentlemen of the
press. This idea was formulated and
crystallizcd in Il Sunday paper which
Piatt published here; and in II very
short time it was accepted and elab-
Grated by all others in the newspaper
business. To-day the statesmen respect
the representatives of the press and do
not censure them for seeking and pro-
curing the news, no matter what meth
DDS are used by them. 1t is a pity,
though, that gentlemen of either house
OF congress should dclude themselves
even for n moment with the idea that
they can keep their deeds and sayings
secret There never will be caucus
without leak. The meeting of next
Saturday night will be no exception;
for everything said and done will be
learned and printed for the entire read
Ing public Of this country.
SMITH D. Fry.