Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-02


-, -,,, quar- both bernispheres The Amer
lear. people appreciate applicable anecdotes
and Lincoln's stories were never told wlth-
ont a pl,rpose They were lights that made
his public policy clearly distinguishable
Whether told upon the stump in Illinois or
at cabinet meetings they were equally ef-
fective. The people appreciated the moral
as well as the point of each story. This
storytelling gift of the martyred Presi-
dent gave him a popularity that became
world wide.
The stories told upon the floor Of the
House are Indicative OF the character and
ability of the Representatives. Some are
old anecdotes clothed in new dress.
Others are new and characteristic of the
district which the Congressman represent
The Senate is a staid and dignified body
and produces very few "reminiscences.
There is abandon about the House.
however. which produces a storytelling
atmosphere. The debate on the repeal of
the Sherman law would have been a very
dry discussion indeed were it not for the
stories illustrative of the situation. Some of
these have already been retold others are
worth recording. Only one Senator ven
tured upon reminiscent ground. He was
that glorious veteran, Zebulon b. Vance
In attacking the repealers he said that
they wanted to maintain a parity between
the metals, and therefore they cut the only
cord that held silver up. and permitted it
to drop out of sight in the abyss. They
reminded him of Irishman who had been
Induced to go down the shaft OF a mine
in a bucket. There was a charge for a
blast below him. The fuse had gone out
and he was to descend and relight it. When
haH way down he saw a spark OF fire be-
low him. Thrilled with fear, he shouted,
Pull me up. boys! pull me up quickr'
They began to pull him up but the bucket
moved very slowly. The excited Irishman
screamed, Haul me up quick Begorra If
you don't haul me up quicker, may the devil
ny away wild me but I'll cut the rope"
This was an old story, but the grave and
reverend seniors around Gen. Vance burst
into laughter when they heard it.
Not long after the Senator paid his re-
spectS to Senator Voorhees, for incorpor-
sting In his bill part of the Chicago plat
form. He expressed his opinion by saying:
Was there ever a cat trotting through
the tangled thickets of the Alleghenies or
roaming over the barren wilds of the Rocky
mountains so wild and untamable as this
cat? Was there ever any bug discovered
and classified by science with a hum equal
TO the hum of this bug?''
This natural flow of language again set
the Senate in a roar In speaking of Sena-
tor Sherman he said that he had never
known Senator more anxious for the un-
doing OF his own action than this Senator
IT Is confession that he is wrong and IL
IS an appeal from h.s conscience which
seems to say to the court. Hurry up. Judge
am great criminal. Let there be no de-
lay. Don't even let .he jury have water"
Different In the House.
And this was the nearest attempt at story
telling that was mad. In the Senate during
the discussion. In the House It was differ
ent- 1t averaged at least a story a day
Some were good and some were bad, but all
indicated the material that forms the popu-
lar legislative body.
Gen. Hooker of Mississippi recalled an ex-
tremely interesting Renaissance during the
discussion of the rules. 1t was concerning
his first appearance in Congress. He said
he had been in the House for three months
and had not opened his mouth Samuel j.
Randall mad an appropriation bill before the
House. A friend of Mr.. Hooker's went to
Mr.. Randall and said: There is a new
member here from Mississippi That state
has been referred to by some one on this
side and / wish you would give him an Cd
portunlty TO speak for ten or fifteen min
uteS- MIR. Randall turned and looked at
Gen Hooker. closing one eye as he scruti-
nizei him, and said: well, he is a new
member. There Is no telling what IN the
not speak,
Gen. Hooker said that he never got even
until Nr. Randall invited him to go to
FhlIadeIphia with number OF other gentle
men and make a speech in his behalf when
he was a candidate for reelection He re-
ceived the Pennsylvanian's invitation by
closing one eye and looking at him from
head to foot Then he replied, well MIR
randall. am new member and there Is
no telling what the devil / may say and /
think had better not CO."
randall acknowledged the corn and Gen
hooker went to Philadelphia and made as
hne speech as was ever heard in that city
The Hon L.eOnidas F. Livingston in his
speech quoted an expression OF Abraham
Lincoln that he said he was very fond OF
Lincoln once said: God must like the COM
mon people very much Whereupon some
gentleman present asked Why"
Because he made many Of them"
Mr.. Lincoln replied.