The Washington times., 1894-08-06
CLOAK ROOM AND GALLERY.

There is likely to be a good fight over the
Williams-Settle North Carolina election case
in the House to-day. Being suspension day
the matter will be called up, and although
Mr.. Settle, the present holder OF the seat, is a
Republican and Mr.. Williams Democrat, the
Committee on Elections decided in favor of
Mr.. Settle.
This action OF the committee the friends of
Mr.. Williams are trying to overcome by rally
ing the majority to their side by an appeal to
partisanship. Mr.. Settle is well known in
Washington, having received part of his edu-
cation at Georgetown University. The ma
iority report in Mr.. Settles favor is signed by
ten membership Republicans and four Dem
ocratic.
Messrs. Brown, of Indiana chairman OF the
committee; Paynter, of kentucky; Bynum, of
Indiana, and Mallory, of Florida. are slated
Tor sp 9eehes in support OF the majority report.
II a majority of Democrats can be mustered
against Mr. Settle they NAV pass a resolution
TO unseat him or may recommit the case TO the
committee with instructions to reverse its re-
port. There are cases on record in which the
House has reversed the action of its commit
tee in contests over seats. but they are few.
Tue case is said to involve the validity of the
election laws OF North Carolina, and Congress-
man Woodard declares that on the same
principles on which the committee sustains
Settles claim, the other members from North
Carolina could be unseated.
One OF the most typical Southwesterners in
the House during tine day was ex-Representa-
tives Martin, of Texas, who spent several
terms in Congress and is row taking care
of his broad ceres down on Il Texas farm.
Many good stories are told of him, but one of
the best is the following:
Some friends OF his in the House made up
their minds one day to have some fun with
him, and rs the time was approaching for the
meeting OF his Congressional nominating con-
yention, and rs there was some opposition to
him, which had caused him some uneasiness,
it was decided that that would bel good mat
ter TO tease him on.
So one of his fellow-members came from the
House lobby one day i'll "A great hurry, and
walking up TO 9iartin's desk whispered to him
that there was a call for him on the telephone
from bis home in Palestine, Texas. OF course
an accompiicc in the game was stationed at
the other end OF the wire, which. as n matter
OF fact, was in an uptown hotel in the city.
who's there2" called ont MIR. Martin in
ringing tones when he got to the phone
The reply stated it was Mr.. SO and So the
chairman OF the local Democratic committee
in Mr.. Martins district. vino was q great
friend of his. and on whose efforts he was re-
lying very largely for denomination. Then the
voice continued:
The people down here want 10 know your
views on the fish question" FISH," ex-
claimed Martin in surprise; ''why. there are
no fish in my district and id little water,
and You know it." ''All right" was the re-
ply. Il will toll the people that. Anything
more?" Mr.. Martin then stated his political
views
Then he went back 70 his seat, only TO be
summoned again to the iphOhe 10y another
alleged call from Palestine. THE leaders
say that you can Rave the denomination dead
sure if you will promise not to bo candidate
a third time.' was the announcement. MIR.
Martin thought a few seconds and then re-
Piled: "Say. tell 'em YOU couldn't nrd me-"
He got the denomination.
1t IS not uDlikely that there are good
many members OF Congress Just now who
would like to make a similar reply IL their
views were suddenly called for by their con-
stituents.