The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-07-16
THE HoKE SMITH STARE.
How the Secretary Sgands-of the Of
fce-se ekers The louisiana Times.
Washington Letter in Philadelphia TelC-

How the Secretary SEands-of the Of
hce-se ekers The Louisiana Times.
Washington Letter in Philadelphia Tele-
graph.
The term Choke Smith Stare" has got
to be the familiar designation of a certain
expression of countenance with which
congressman have become acquainted,
through frequent visits to the interior de-
partmeut. Hoke Smith stands next to
Bisscll in the number of callers he re
ceiycs each day, and he has a most eXpe-
ditious way of getting through business.
He has a way of greeting his visitors with
n smile, giving them the benefit of the
doubt until he knows they are go ing to
bore him. Then he hastens to find out
what their business is and to dispose Of it
as speedily as possible. BY beng smiling
and courteous on the start he opens the
way to get through the business without
loss of time in suavity during the rest Of
the interview If the case in hand proves
TO be one he does not desire to devote any
of his valuable time to, the stare follows
quickly in the wake of the smile and the
individual stared at soon acquires an I'M
comfortable feeling, which hastens his
departure. If the matters being pressed
mand attention the stare is later in its
arrival on the mobile counJcnance of
Hoke, but in nine cases out Of ten ii ar
rives sooner or later during the interview.
ITS QUALITIES.
The stare has individuality, but no
character whatever, for it is a mere con
centation of expressionlessness The
only qualities it has are penetration and
Steadfastness. Yes; one other quality,
novelty. 1t is the ObliteratiOn of express
sion and an exodus of intelligence. 1t in
dicates an absolute doneuess. 1t is pain
full, and gives the impression of demand
or an appeal for something to be done.
The only time | ever saw anything like it
on another Countenance than Hoke
Smiths was in travelling through the
south. An old darby, black as coal, with
white hair and sparse, white whiskers on
his chin, in the threadbare brOadcloth of
a house servant of We time befo' the wa
and high hat of the block of forty years
ago stood looking into the windows of
the Pullman while the train waited for
half an hour at a junction. There were
fifty young darkies standing, begging and
selling berries, or dancing for money
BUT ONE LIKE IT.
They were male and female, half clad
heathens and the most importunate set
the holder of a copper ever came across
and they kept from him a respectful dis
tance. His dignity was impenetrable
He was too proud to beg. He Just stood
there and stared For twenty min
utes his face never changed expression,
or rather, never acquired any expression.
He just looked and looked and
looked away through that coach of
one in the car began to fidget about and
to wonder what he wanted them to
do. The stare told them that there was
something wrong about them individu-
ally and collectively. 1t was the "Hoke
Smith Stare, or it was from that darby
that HOke got it. They are the only two
who can get it off. One man breaking
the spell by the donation of a dime, that
old darby about cleaned up the small
| change in the car, without saying word
or indicating in any ordinary way that he
wanted aid. HOke Smith with the same
stare clears out his room without giving
other indication that he would like his
visitors to hurry.
MEYER AND MS BROTHER.
There has been man in Washington
for week or 50 VINO has been having
great deal Of fun in quiet way over ono
thing and another. Especially he has
| been amusing himself wlJh odcc-seckers
| and others who have, or think they have.
/ n deal of business with members Of con-
gress. At the sam" time he has had an
/ opportunity to learn some OF the inside
| experiences of statesman Of the present
| day
! His name is Meyer and he is from New
| Orleans. There is another man by the
! name Of Meyer. who is in congress, and Is
! also from New Orleans similarity of
name is not an unuS.al thing, especially
among bro hers, but these two men are
not only of the same name and from the
1,lsa ). Ia
/ run naturally together, but they We're
born on the same day and look so much
| alike that YOU could not tell which you
! were speaking with if they were together.
HIMSELF OR ANOTHER.
The congressman is well known in
| Washington; his brother is unknown or
at least was unknown here until recently.
The congressman was here for some time
/ joining in the hustle after offices for his
constituents, and now he is not here, or
/ rather, he may not be; You cam tell, As
it stands now. the man who is here APP
pears to be the brother. At least ne told
me the other day that he was the brother.
and do nOo know the difference though
| l am well acquainted with the congress-
man. AT some time during this pressing
period the two men have changed places
! Whether il is plan agreed To between
| the two and the sClf-sacrihcing unofficial
/ brother comes here at odd times to re-
! lieve the weary statesman, must remain
| Il matter Of conjecture. Nor can it be
said just how much of the time the con-
! gresham is here in person and how much
! by proxy. Certain it is that when he is
| not here no one can miss him who sees
| his brother, and to that brother so many
! of the petitioners who would go to him
! There is not a democrat in congress to-
/ day who would not like to have another
! such q double. do not want to say posi-
! lively that this statement is purposely
| trying to impose on people, for how arc
| you going 10 know when you can't tell
! whether he is himself or his brother
when you are talking with him. Anews-
! paper man had an interview with man
on the silver question yesterday. After
it was over the man said: Il am not
| Representative Meyer, but his brother ="
| After two or three turns about the CORE
! spondent started 10 repeat the mistake
! bus took the precaItion to ask, before he
had gone too far, how the matter Of idcn-
| tity stood.