The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-16
THE HAND OF THE UNsKILLED
LEGISLATOR ONCE MORE.

IL seems pTopiOic tndt NOhSieoS w"
pass an act requiring all railroads that
cross State lines TO provide automatic
car couplers for their freight cars. This
is another proposed piece OF compulsory
legislation OF most questionable charac-
ter. The Times strongly inclines to the
opinion that this. like most OF such mat
tiers, Is one which can best be regulated
by leaving the railroads alone. II such
car couplers are for the real interests
of the employees Of the roads. they will
be adopted by the railroads in time. but
with n due regard to all other claims
upon them. The laws of evolution and
adoption work out their beneficial changes
consistently with all the equities and de-
mands OF a case. But when the law
maker violently thrusts his rude and I'M
skilled hand into a piece OF business that
he does not perceive in all Its bearings
and relations, he harms the very persons
he would aid. and introduces discord
where natural laws were developing one
harmonious whole Should this scheme
become statute law, II would not surprise
US to find the employees OF railroads.&c.
persons whom it is intended to benefit
first In praying that It might be repealed.
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The Washington Post is responsible for
the following account OF the way Mr..
Cleveland's intention to appoint Hoke
Smith Secretary Of the Interior got out.
Mrs. Carlisle was determined to get her
friend, Colonel Morrison, OF Illinois, APP
pointed to the place, and. on the occasion
Of Mr.. Carlisle's latest visit to New York,
she commissioned him TO urge Mr.. Cleve-
land to give the place TO Colonel Morri-
son. Mr. Stealey. the Washington corre-
spondent Of the Louisville Courier-Jour-
nal. was also very much interested to
accomplish the same result Mr.. Carlisle
returned from New York last Sunday,
and we quote the Post on stealey calling
on him:
HE found MFR. Carlisle unusually ner-
vous and reticent. When Stealey ap-
preached Cabinet topics Carlisle tried to
change the subject. Stealey was persist
ent, and finally Carlisle said:
Now, Stealey. you know 1 would tell
you anything in reason, but you ought
not to expect me 10 divulge confidential
matters OF this kind which passed be-
tween Mr.. Cleveland and myself"
VERY well. then" said Stealey, 'but
you can tell me whether or not Morri-
son is going in the Cabinet"
mo. he is not" said Carlisle.
Ac
into his pockets. muttered Its a bad
break" and walked upstairs. where he
found Mrs. Carlisle, to whom he said:
We'll the ex-senator tells me that our
friend Morrison is not in it,"
YES" answered Mrs. Carlisle. land II
II is true, which l don't believe, 1t is a
shame-a downright shame"
A pause here for about a minute, when
Mrs. Carlisle turned round, and, facing
Mr.. Steaiey. said:
"Mr. Stealey, I want you to tell me
who this man Hoke Smith Is. anyhow.
l never heard OF him in my life"
This knocked Stealcy out. but he kept
his wits, and repeated "Hoke Smith,"
Eyes, Hoke Smith, this man who is
going to get the place I wanted for Col
onel Morrison"
OH said Stealey, the whole thing
flashing through him like n revelation.
"Hoke Smith. why Hoke Smith, certainly
I ought to know Hoke Smith OF course.
/ do. Hoke Smith is a Georgia lawyer.
and editor Of :he Atlanta Journal"
And this is how the Courier-Journal
was the first newspaper In the country
10 announce that Mr.. Hoke Smith, OF
Georgia. would be in the Cabinet OF Mr..
Cleveland"