The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-03-22

Dom Piatt in the capitol and how Fred
Grant and his friend waited outside the
residence Of the same inimitable Dom
with the avowed intention of pounding
him till his hide wouldn't hold shuclzs."
Then Came Dan Lamont
The panic Of 1878 and the political re-
vulsion which followed it proved a sharp
tonic, and with the coming IN of the
Hayes administration began an era Of
good feeling between correspondents and
congressman. Tt may be said to have
reached its maximum about the time
Garfield was inaugurated. Then there
was a sudden change, and many jour
nalists were sharpening their quilts for
an assault on the administration when
the wounding and death of Garfield
caused a halt.
The era of good feeling continued
through most of Arthur's term. was but
slightly broken during Clevelands first.
and again reached its maximum under
Harrison. Ii Is needless to recount the
changes since, bat it may be said in con-
clusion that there IS now a rising tide Of
hostility to the administration and Incl
dentaly to one section of congress Per
haps lit would be d fairer statement to
say that the situation is a little strained.
In Cleveland's first administration the
u
with, and 1t is scarcely an exaggeration
to say that they loved him.
1Ien VINO stand wen.
If there were a Bradstreet or an r.. CT.
Dun to determine the standing of con
gressmen so far as their being approach
able by journalists is concerned, Senator
Cullom would stand Wen mp and proba-
bly, be marked with five AS. To one
who is not in it, it is a treat to see the
senator on the occasions when he rides
home I'D q street car, with q journalist
on e8e' side of him and often one or two
more hanging to the straps and leaning
over him. In the house Mr.. Walker of
Massachusetts, has the reputation Of be-
ing uncommonly good to those he likes,
but given to forming very sudden iudg-
ments on newspaper men whom be meets
for the first time.
Among the POpulists none other excels
Jerry Simpson for general geniality. a
quickness TO catch on as to what the cor
respondent wants, a readiness to give
very freely, so far as he viii give at all,
and polite and easy way of stating that
he dOesn' t propose to give any more. LATE
Pence in his entertaining moments is
very entertaining indeed, and it is almost
as good as q comedy to hear him tell how
his set works on the Republicans from
the silver states.
Men Of Likes ana Dialikes.
Josiah Patterson Of Tennessee must be
classed with Mr.. Walker as good to those
be likes. There is of course large
number of congressman who are very
communicative with journalists from
their own states. but close as CLAIMS to
all others. Judge Cu1berson is much
sought. and his opinions are valued high
~. but he seldom says much. General
GrOsvenOr is one of the most genial and
approachable gentlemen in the house
when he feels like it, but he has as many
moods and lenses as a Greek verb. 1t Is
only fair to add that he lis extremely
busy just at present and his part in the
recent controversy has Of course added
to his-wel. I viii call it conversational
suddenness. He is not conspicuous for
orthodoxy, but is a firm believer in total
depravity-of Democrats. In this re-
spect Senators Frye and Chandler are
equally orthodox. They are only toler-
ably communicative to journalists out
side Of their state and party.
Mr. Funston of Kansas is a very pleas
ant talIzer, and so are Messrs. Brook
shire and Waugh of Indiana Stalhngs
and Bankhead Of Alabama, Dinsmore of
Arkansas. Black, Hit and Cannon Of III
LIMOS, Henderson of Iowa, Boatner of
however it must be said. as of the gen
tlemen named above. that their likes
and dislikes are very pronounced. and
if they do not like journalist at first ac-
quaintance he would do well to not trou-
bic them again.
Nestors OF Journalism.
The veterans of the press gang are very
rarely seen 10 the gallery or even IN the
lobby OF these w B. Shaw is the
Nestor He was pioneer from Boston
in the days when the great city daiIias
first began TO take dispatches by tele-
graph. With him is generally classed
General H. " n Bovnton. who suc-
ceeded Agate (Whitelaw Reid soon
after the close of the war. He is com
missioner OF Rock Creek park of this dis
trict and of the Chickamauga commits
sion and has some other places of con
Ay@ -z-z--i
1AM