Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-27
NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Notable Incidents Recalled BY Tho
Building Of a Theatre.
SENATOR GEORGES HABITS.
Tho Most Methodical and Systematic Of
tho Upper House--John Daniels Vein
of Mother Wit
(correspondence Of the pIspatch.)

Correspondence Of the Dispatch.)
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. January 26.--The
erection OF the sixth theatre on the site
OF the old Blaine mansion. on Sixteenth
street, recalls the old American Theatre,
on Louisiana avenue. where jefferson, the
grandfather OF the Joe jefferson OF to-
day, played Nlpperkln In the play or
"Sprigs OF the Laurel In 1851 and iS52. II
was but a few steps from this old, his
toric house, In which Seward lived when
he was assaulted by Payne Zone Of
Booths confederates), to the spot where
District-Attorney Philip. Barton Key.
grandson of Francis Scott Key, the a'l-
thor OF the "Star-Spangled Banner" was
shot down by Congressman Daniel Sickles
on a beautiful Sabbath morning In the
spring Of 1859. When Sickles fred the first
shot, Key, in an instant, drew from his
side pocket his opera-glasses and rapidly
advanced upon his antagonist. who re-
treated, when suddenly Key threw his
glasses at Sickles. Seeing that his pur-
suer was unarmed. Sickles promptly
wheeled around and fred the fatal shots.
General Dan" Sickles. as he was famii-
the present Congress. and looks remark
ably young and well-preserved for man
past 20. He and General William Barks-
dale, of Mississippi, were friends In Con-
gress together in 1860 at the outbreak OF
the civil war; and Sickles lost his leg az
Gettysburg under the same tree In the
evening under which Barksdale was killed
in the morning OF the same day.
KILLING OF GENERAL COBB.
Another Incident OF the war which /
recall was the killing OF General Thomas
r.. II. Cobb, of Georgia, at Marye's
Heights, within sight of his mothers
Virginia home, who, believe, was Miss
Howell. Howell Cobb was Speaker of the
House in the fifties. and one Of Geogia's
most eloquent orators. lie was a nTst
cousin of Tom Cobb above mentloned),
OF Cobb Legion fame. who equipped his
gallant Georgians out Of his own pocket.
Cobbs command spent the winter OF
lS6l-'62 very near the winterquarters OF
the Richmond HowtZers, between Bethel
Church and Harod's Mill. and the Second
Howitzer boys will readily remember the
dashing and manly bearing Of this popu-
lar young officer. with his long, curly
blonde hair, who, when In the saddle,
bore a striking resemblance 10 the bravo
Custer who fell at the head Of his gallant
band on the Little Big Horn.
Mrs. Secretary Hoke Smith was Lucy
Cobb. a daughter OF Tom Cobb. and her
nleces Miss Jackson and Miss Hull, OF
Georgia, who are spending the winter
with their aunt, assisted Mrs. Cleveland
at her last Saturday evenings reception.
THE STEPHENS ROOMS.
met Senator George. OF Mississippi,
at his rooms. in the National Hotel. last
night. He is quartered in the same rooms
occupied by Alexander Stephens, In the
seventies. when he was wheeled from the
National to the Capitol in a roller-chair
each morning-beng unable to walk on
account OF rheumatism. Senator George
retires at s O'Clock and rises at day
break. and is In his seat in the Senate
chamber at $50 A. NJ. In his systematic
habits OF industry and simplicity he Is
more like Franklin and Jackson and
John Marshall than any OF the senator's.
He Is a great friend to the Confede-
rate soldier. and is liberal contributor
10 the Soldiers Home at Richmond. He
Is the ablest constitutional lawyer of his
State, and is more closely Identified with
the political revolution OF 1915 I'm Missis-
sippi than any other Mississipp'an. This
uprising OF the Democrats In Mississippi
In 1875 was the inaugural movement for
local seif-govermnent IN the South. ami
gave the Democrats the control OF the
House in 1876 and elected sam Tilden.
ACTIVE INTELLECT.
Judge Culberson. Of Texas is one or
the most honored members of the House.
and is regarded as one OF the SOuthS
strongest constitutional lawyers. He
wears a PREDETERMINED slouch hat and
easy-fitting clothes, and, while. like Dr.
Samuel Johnson, lazy-looking In his
movements, he has wonderfully active
and powerful intellect. He and Senator
Berry, OF Arkansas, and Mr.. Abbott, OF
Texas, are perfect types, in manner and
dress, OF the old, ante-bellum southern
cotton and sugar-planter. / asked Con-
gressman Abbott, of Texas, the other day
"a close personal friend OF Judge Culber-
SOM, why II was that Texas had never
sent the Judge (her most gifted SOM 10
the United States Senate. He replied that
"Culberson could have been In the Senate
long ago, but he was too lazy to run"
A SPLENDID FELLOW.
There Is no sarcasm Ia John Daniels
pleasant vein OF mother wit. He cannot
help the spontaneous and genial overflow
of humor which is Il part or his re-
markable intellect and genius. and which
was we'll Illustrated I'm a little incident
which occurred in the Senator's COM
mittee-room the other day, when | hap
pened to be present. A Nirglnlan came in
and introduced himself TO the Senator.
10 seek his influence in his behalf for
government position.
The applicant was embarrassed TO state
his case In the presence Of four or 1--WE
other ofIlce-seekers, and began his re-
| marks TO the Senator with an apparent
nervous apprehension Of the difficulties In
the way OF getting job under the pres
ent administration. To strengthen MS
case he said that he was n cousin OF the
| Confederate Colonel --, who was
killed in the battle Of ---, and the
party was moved to n smile. when the
Senator promptly but pleasantly rejoined
that he knew the Colonel wel' ana
he was a splendid fellow, notwithstanding