The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-26
LAUqHING For vorEs.
how Congressman Mercer Of Omaha
Got Elected.
From az Neln York Adrertl,er


From the Nsio York Advertiser.
WASHINGTON, March 20.-Bryan, thu
breezy young orator from Nebraska. ia
going TO have a rival in the way of breezi.
ness from his own state in the House pext
winter. Mercer, y Dung republican elected
in the democratic district of Omaha. is not
only breezy but is decidedly cyclonic. He viii
give neuralgia to about half the House the
first time he passes through it, and he will
make friends with the other half on the
way back 20 the cloak room. II he happens
to set the pace for any considerable number
Of his associates, and be is liable to, for be
is contagious, the wheels of legislation will
go round fast enough to cause hot box
he is a young fellow with a frank, open
countenanoe, bright eyes that will not keep
still, an athletic figure and nervous energy
that affects every one who comes in contact
with him. He got elected to congress,
overcoming democratic majority in the
face OF the opposition Of the republican
newspaper and large faction Of that party,
by making friends with every man he met
on the street or elsewhere, and at once re-
questing his assistance IN the canvass. He
did not stop to find out what a mans poll.
tics might be; what he wanted was the
VOTE and II he missed often, be often bit a
lucky run. He did not let even the ladies
SsCdpo DIS CauNAso hLbOSebuoEs OUT whenever
he got half an opportunity enlisted the
young ladies in his cause to use their in
huence with their sweetheRrtS One day be
called up friend on the telephone in
great hurry. The answer came 10 ladys
voice.
"That is a mistake, he said. Excuse
me; central gave the wrong call, and be
was about to hang up the trumpet. There
was something 80 dashy aud prompt in his
Of hi hoF Nly 81
laugh at the other end OF the phone lie
caught the laugh just as he was about TO
quit the phone.
"Hold on, he said; II like that laugh.
1t has an honest ring to it. Excuse me,
miss, but would like to know you. That
laugh catches me-" The laugh was re-
peated.
Then he laughed.
Ppm in a rush" he said: "but tell me who
you are. A woman who can laugh like that
is worth knowing. bet you are the best
natured woman IN Omaha But the laugh
was all he could get from the other end OF
the phone.
"Wen, what's the r1mber of your
'phoneP' be asked.
There was another laugh and number
was given. Quickly he looked over the list
in the telephone directory and found the
lady was q doctor.
There, doctor, :" he said, 81 am glad TO
know you. Good-by, for the present"
1t was the female doctors turn then to
be inquisitive. She wanted to know bis
name. "No," he said, II have the edgeon
YOU"
She insisted that he was real mean, and
laughed as she said it. He could not resist
the laugh. so he replied:
~ am the next congressman rom this
district"
Are you Mr.. MercerT'
"Yss, and l am coming around to see
you. / want you TO circulate my cards and
do some work for me in the canvass. WIN
you be home In half an hourP
The end Of 1t was that Mercer went to see
the owner OF the laugh, taking with hln
about $50 Of his cards for distribution he
credits her with getting a vote for every
card.