The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-03
GOOD STOR les IN CONGRESS.
soME WOULD HIVE DONE CREDIT 10
LINCOLN HIMSELF


story Teiiers In the SILVER Debate.
wksHrYaroS. Dec tot all the story teller,
that have breathed the air OF Washington
there was none whose anecdotes are more
often quoted than those Of Abraham lincoln
There was also none more applicable to the
subject OF conversation His story Of swappinE
horses while crossing n stream has run over
both hemisphores. The American people APP
preciate applicable anecdotes. and Lincolns
stories were never told without purpose
They were lights that made his public
policy clearly dlstlngulshable. Whether told
upon the stump in Illinois or Mt Cabinet meet
ings they we're equally effective. The people
appreciated the moral as we'll as the point Of
each story. This storytelling gift Of the mar
tyred President gave him popularity that be-
came world wide.
The stories told upon the floor OF the House
ere indicative Of the character and ability OF
the Representatives. Some nrs old an ecd otes
clothed in q new dress Others nre new and
characteristic uf tho district which the Con-
eressmen represent The Senate Is staid
and dignlned body and produces very few rom
iniscsnces. There is an abandon about the
House. however. which reduces n story-tell-
ing atmosphere The debate on the repeal Of
The Sherman law would have been u very
dry discussion indeed were 1t not for the
stories illust ,atlyc OF the situation. Some Of
these have already been retold: others are
worth recording. only one senator ventured
upon rent scent ground He was that glori-
ouS veteran. Xchulon II. Vance. In attacking
the r~pealcrs he said that they wanted to
maintain a parity betwean the metals. and.
therefore, they cut the only cord that held
silver up. and permitted II to drop out Of sight
IN the abyss. They reminded him OF on Irish
man who had had been induced to go down
Al.aa hs,fN nTn Inn In hti.t LAT ThaTn Wa N
charge for n blast below him. The fuse had
gone out and no was to descend and reliRht 1t.
Whom half way down he saw q spark Of ire be-
low him. Thrilled with fear he shouted Pull
me- mp boys! null mo up quick"
Thoy began to pull him up. but the bucket
moved very slowly The excited Irishman
screamed. Haul me up quick. Begorra IL
you don't haul me up quicker. may tho devil
ny away wild me but I'll cut the rome"
This was an old story. but the grave and rev.
srend seniors around Gen. Vance burst into
laughter when they heard II.
Not long after the Senator paid his respects
20 Senator Voorhees, for Incorporating In his
bill a mart Of tho Chicago platform. He ex-
pressed his opinion by saying:
Was there ever a cat trottinR through tho
tangled thickets OF the Allegnnies or roaming
over the barren wlds of tho Rocky Mountains
% wild and untamahle as this catp Was there
evcr any bug discovered and classified by
science with hum equal to the hum OF this
bugI"
This natural flow OF lanRu again set the
Senate in q roar. In speaking OF Son ator Sher-
man he said that no had nevor known SEN
stor more anxious for the undoing OF his own
action than this Senator. 1T IL a confession
that he is wrong. and 1t is an appeal from his
conscience which seems to say to tho Court:
Hurry up. Judge. am a great criminal. Let
there be no delay. Don't even lot tho jury
have water"
And this was the nearest attempt at story
telling that was made In the Senate during the
discussion. In the House it was different. 1t
averaged at least a story day. Some were
good. some bad. but all indicated tho material
that forms the popular legislative body.
Mr.. Picker OF North Dakota, in replying to
Mr. Hunter who had said that the use OF a draf
or q check lessened the necessity for actual
money. told an old story illustrative OF the
Ohio members theory. He said that there WAS
an old Israelite who had become rich in the
banking business. His nephew. Isaac. was
associated with him and he was DESTROYS OF
having his wealth go to Isaac at his death.
Isaac stood at his deathbed. his eyes filled with
tears. The dying man said Isaac. the ply
slcians tell mo that I can live only short
time. You have been q good and faithful
friend and relative. You have been loyal to
my interests. and / want to turn over to you
my entire wealth except the 500 in gold with
which began business. l want that $500 to
be buried with me. Put the cash In the comm
with me- because ! want TO take II along"
Isaac wiped his eyes and said: "All right.
uncle. will do So"
Tho Old Israelite was a little fearful that
Isaac might DO tempted by the glittering $500.
20 he told the rabbi what he had done nd
asked him to see that Isaac carried out his
promise. AZ the funeral the rabbi examined
the BODY and could not md the money, He
which no began business with :"
Yes issae replied. Il did. and put the
No you didn't" said the rabbi. II ex-
Hminsd the eofiin and the money was not
"Oh yes did sAid Isaac; you dldn'tIeok
siose enough. You viii lind my check for $500
10 show the interest Of the House In this
story II Is only necessary to add that Pickler's
Although there was great pressure for time TO
sncas. the House unanlmonsiy gave him five
Zen, Hooker 81 Of Mississippi II recalled an ex-
tremely interesting "reminiscences during the
dlscussion OF the rules. II was concerning his
been In the House for three months and had
not opened his mouth; samuel !. randall had
friend q ir HookerS went to Mr.. Randall and
kAid: There Il a new member here from
Mississippi That State has been referred Ia
by some ono on this side and wish you would
give him an opportunity to speak for en- or
10 Skri a. Gen Hooker. closing one eve al he
scrutiniEsd him. and said: Well he Is q new
member. There 10 no Hing what in tho devil
he ~ az say and think he'd hettar not speak"
Gen. Hooke r said that he never got even I'M
oil Mr., Randall invited him 10 go To- PhilAiel-
phia With n number of other Gentlemen and
maze speech IN his behalf when he was
candidate Tor reelection. lie received the
Pennsy yanian's Invitation by closing one eve
hnd looking az him from head e. foot. Then
be replied; Fl" Well Mr. Randall. ] am new
mem Der, aud there Is no telling what the devil
NAV say. and think had better not go"
Randall acknowledged the corn, and Gen.
Hooker went To Philadelphia and made as fine
. speech a. was ever heard In that city.
The Hon. IeonidRs T. Livingston In his
speech quoted AL expression OF AbrAham Lin
colin that he said he was very fond Of. Lincoln
once said: God must Ike the common psO-
Pile very much. Wheieupon some gentleman
present asked "WhyT
!, Because he made so many OF them" Mr..
Common people" Mr.. Livingston said.
own and run the earth when they can get
I'D of the politicians. They are tho bulwarks
Of society. and God cares for society"
Col William II. Hatch OF Missouri. wound up
bis silver speech with mighty good story.
. said: We had a recent convention OF re-
igious workers among railway men. The
IN AT Hnt thaR F Ngnnlh