Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-11-16
lVa sENAToRTAt RepARTEg.a
Sharp Repliee Indicative OF the Character
Of NnfAd Statesnen

oil Noted statesmen,
When Col Thomas Ochiltree was in
congress he was popular, not only be
cause he is a prince of good fellows
with allthe world, but for his ability
TO return sharp answer where occas-
ion seemedto demand quick wit and
ready tongue.
HOchiltree," member said to him
one day, with an impcrtinent sheer
that grated on the coloncl's sensibili.
ties, 'if had your check I'd be OH top
of the heap"
"You snipe," cxclai ned the colonel,
"if you had my cheek and your brain,
you'd be kicked out of every decent
place"
Thaddeus Stevens possessed the same
gift, and old members of the house tell
one auecdotc of an occurrence in
which Mr.. Stevens and the speaker OF
the house got into sharp tangle, end
ing in Stevens savagcly rolling up
some documents on which he had been
addressing the chair, and turning his
back to the speaker in the most inn
polite way while passing furiously up
the aisle toward the cloakroom.
SIS the gentleman trying to show his
contempt for the speakcr?' shouted
that dignitary.
"No" Numbered back Stevens, turn
ing around facing the wieldcr Of the
gavcl; II am trying my blamedest to
conceal it,"
A very interesting episode occurred
between Representative Conger, Of
Michigan, afterward senator, and Sum
set Cox, then speaker.
1t was we'll known that Mr.. Conger
had an allliction which gave him great
pain, and often in debate caused
him to writhe and squirm fcro-
ciously. 1t was said that it
was liver troubles, and that he
wore liver pad to alleviate his suffer
ings. One day Congcr was particularly
irascible and provoking. lie was
writing, screwing his face into grim
ace of pain, and holding on 10 his side,
while at the same time making stub
born objection to some ruling of the
speaker 1t annoy Cox so that he said;
Take off your liver pad and get a
bottle Of livcrettes, those famous little
liver pills, which are positive cure
for constipation, sick headache, bilious
ness and all troubles caused by torpid
or inactive liver"
Most members have heard the story
of Cox's bargain with Joe Cannon, who
used TO have a fashion of constantly
gesticulating and humping his desk
with his left hand while speaking. His
experience with Cox is said to be re-
sponsible for the fact that he does not
! do SO now to the extent of formerly.
/ Mr.. Cox was addressing the house, and
Mr.. Cannon asked permission to inter
rupt him. 1t bothered Cox, but he eX.
planned:
"All right, will let the gentleman
interrupt me, and allow him to talk Sc
long as he keeps his left hand in his
trousers pocket
Cannon accepted the proposition, and
pushed his side wheel into his pocket
|
himself into his subject with full en-
crgy, out came that left fin, and began
to beat the desk.
II will resume my speech. The gen
tleman has pulled his hand out of his
pocket" exclaimed Mr.. Cox, and wen
on as though nothing had happened
while the house roared with laughter
Cannon never has seen the point of the
joke.
Mr.. Springer has several times beer
the victim of Mr.. Reeds sarcasm, bu
the story that the members who were
in the fifty-frst congress relish more
than any other is the one relating t
Mr.. Springcr's ringing declaration il
the course of speech: I'D rather
be right than be president.
| you'll never be either, Springer,
said Mr.. Reed, with q bcncvolen
smile.
Its a good thing" said a member
who listened to the story in the speak
cr's lobby, that Reed didn't live fit,
years ago.
!, "Why?" inquired another.
because he would have been chal
lengcd to fight duel, and he is 81
! huge no bullet could have missed
him."
Il 1t is to Alexander Stevens that gooc
congressional story is attributed,
One irate member, smarting unde
, Stevens sarcasm, in fit of passion de
clared, "Ill eat you up!'
"If you did," was Stevens ready re
ply, you'd have more brains in you
stomach than you have in your head
Washington Post.
|
Ia CI,AkJEp,C nav iMNJnEN