Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-09
IN THE HOTEL CORRIDORS.

characteristics which have made it's name
a synonym for low vulgzrity."
He spoke as one with authority. as well
he might, for he was the common council
man from the Billingsgate ward in the cor
poration OF London.
Mr.. Edward Jex, who is now at the Met
ropolitan, is a peculiarly interesting man.
His luxuriant beard and heavy eyebrows
give him decided Kris Kingle appearance.
except that time seems to have dealt more
gently with him than with the patron saint
Of childhood.
He is the commercial Izaak Walton OF
bis country. as no man throughout the
united kingdom is regarded as higher au-
thority on fisheries and kindred in
dustries. He is the owner or part
owner Of sixty two sailing vessels and
twenty steamers. employing six hundred
men. all engaged in the fisheries He was
the chairman of one Of the chief commit
tees Of the great fisheries exhibition held
in London in 1883. at which time Capt. J.
w. Collins of the Smithsonian Institute
was one of his secretaries. He was the first
chairman of the Fish Trade Association of
tive committee Of the National Sea Fisher
les Protective Association. A few weeks
ago he was called before a committee of
the house Of commons and gave them some
NdfudDfe m1OfmdDOn on the nsner1eS. In
short, he is an authority on piscatorial af-
fairs in general
After supporting his assertion that the
proverbial characteristics of Billingsgate
incident to the effect that one of his en-
ployes In Billingsgate on hearing a fruit
merchant swear actually reproved him, ne
went on to state his business in this coun-
try and to throw out some valuable sug-
gestions as to the legislation needed by the
American fisheries. He is travelling through
America for the purpose of informing him
self on the fish Industries In general. He
lord mayor of London commencing him 70
the courtesy Of the American people He
was the guest of Mayor Stuart OF Philadel-
phia during his stay in that city and was
New York.
Mr.. Jex is much impressed with America
and American institutions and cannot find
words to express his appreciation of the
cordiality with which he has been received
by the American people. He thinks. how
ever, that We need suitable legislation for
the protection OF our fsheries-a law pre-
venting the sale of fish under a certain
size.
In a few years" said he, many species
will be extinct, just as is practically the
case now with the buffalo on the western
plains. Millions and millions of fish are
caught on your coasts every year before
they have time to spawn. Immediately
steps should be taken to stop this.
As an example the sole could once be
bought in the markets OF London at four
or six pence pound. You now pay two
shillings.
am pleased to find so many people in
this country OF the same mind as myself
in regard to the protection of American
fisheries and / hope that some salutary
steps may be taken at an early date In
that direction"
Il also find that the fish markets OF this
country are dangerously constructed. That
is TO say, the flooring is of three-inch
planks, in which all kinds Of disease may
terminate, and II cholera ever visits your
shores this fact will be largely responsible"
He brought this matter particularly TO
the attention of Mayor Gilroy in New York
the other day.
Mr.. lex has been elected councilman
from the Billingsgate district for seven
teen consecutive years and as no man can
hold that Office IL he has ever repudiated
an obligation or paid less than twenty shil-
linss in the pound. his integrity and bust
ness capacity cannot be discounted.
From Washington he goes to Chicago,
San Francisco. British Columbia, possibly
Vancouver and then home by way Of Tor
onto and Montreal reaching London early
in October.
There is a story in connection with Joe
Jefferson and Richard Mansfield which has
never been in print" said the genial Ed
Cake, at the Normandie, in conversation
with The Star man, '.aud, apropos of the
opening Of the theatrical season, IL may be
told"
when Mansfield returned to this country
a few months ago he brought with him a
gentlemans gentleman of the true Eng
fish type-a masterpiece among Mortimers
so to speak. Mansfield stopped here and
one day went to his room leaving word
that he was not in A goodly number of
the hoipolloi came to see him. but were
given to understand that he was not in.
After awhile, however, Joe jefferson
came and asked that his card be sent I'D TO
Mansfield. knew that Mansfield would be
at home to him. so 1 directed the bell bow
to take up his card.
The Jealous 'gentleman's gentleman
was on the alert however. and stopping
the bell boy took Jefferson's card and came
down stairs to see him himself The valet
evidently was not well posted in the roster
OF theatrical celebrates, however.
Approaching the great actor with a very
self-sufficfent air, he asked, is there any
thing can do for your
No. replied Jefferson, with consider
able dignity
is it something about getting a placer
inquired the valet
THAT was too much for Jefferson--get-
ting a place. indeedr-so he said. sharply.
field"
80 Mr.. Mansfield is not in persisted Nor
timer.
jefferson turned to me with Indignation
In every lineament Of his expressive coun-
tenance and said:
Please see that Mr.. Mansfield gets that
card. and turning on his heel went out.
1t was an affront which Jefferson could
never forget. and the breach has never
been healed"
Capt. Evan P. Howell, editor OF the At
lanta Constitution is a free coinage plat
form democrat from Dan to Beersheba His
paper has never missed an opportunity TO
support the cause with the best ability at
its command. He was in Washington
shortly after the repeal bill passed the
House and, as the captain is a celebrated
raconteur, he had a story for the occasion.
Yes, We are beaten" said he. but
there's no use in grieving. There was
circuit rider down I'm Georgia whose field of
labor lay in the back country. One morn
ing he rode up to the house of an old lady,
and. sitting on his horse, entered into con-
versation with her.
There was a cur dog OF a very persis-
tent bark and every evidence OF a pretty
good bite. He snapped and snarled at the
circuit riders feet for some time and re-
fused to be comforted.
Finally the old lady said:
Mister, you had better get down and
let him bite you a little. and then he'll be
satisfied
Il think" said the captain, that we had
better let these administration fellows bite
us a little and then maybe they'll be sat
isfied."
1T won't do to be too sure Of your own
infallibility," said a newspaper man the
other day. Now, here's an instance"