Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1895-08-16
TOLD OF TIE SENATORS.
Some Good Stories on August Leg
islators at Washington.
Vest Changes HIS Views on the Constitu.
tionality of a Proposed Law-Coke,
OF Texas, Does Liiccwise-The
Texas Seed Bill.

lney tell great many stories OF
that honest old ex-senator, Coke, Of
Texas, says the Washington Star
He was great admirer of Vest.
One day some bill was pending
which, bluntIy stated, offered to
appropriate public money for what
seemed to Senator Coke private or
special purpose. Coke was very
much against 1t, as was Senator
Vest. The Missouri senator made
speech and showed that the proposed
law was unconstitutional. Coke
listened to his oratory with rapt at
tention, and very much applauded
and approved of it. Before the bill
was put to vote, however, the hoof
and mouth disease broke out in
Missouri among the cattle, and Gov.
Crittenden wired Senators Vest and
Cockrela to gain the aid of the
national government In hunting the
malady TO Its lair and discriminating
it. A measure was introduced
making an appropriation to investi-
gate the causes and report remedies
for the hoof and mouth disease.
The measure made exactly the same
question which Senator Coke was so
much opposed to, and which Vest
had so eloquently denounced but the
week before. Under the stress of
danger threatening Missouri live
stock interests, Senator Vest felt
compelled to change his position in
the matter and did it most graceful
ly. 1t all afforded the good-natured
senator from Texas mnch amuse-
ment.
Vest" he said, as a writer for
the Star was told, that Is the first
time ever knew man to change
his opinion on constitutional law on
telegram" Ia V
But Senator Col1e's turn was COM
ing. Inspired by the hoof and mouth
appropriation example, the Texas
seed bill was introduced 1t asked
an appropriation to buy farm seeds
for drought sufferers in Texas. In
all its principles it paralleled the
hoof and mouth measure as well as
the one before, against which Coke
had voted and Vest had grated,
But this time Senator Coke felt
obliged to bow to fate and support
the Texas seed bill. Senator Voor-
bees offered him irritating consola-
ton by saying: '1tia ID 2 ~
Never mind, Coke, suppose you
do have to switch. Remember
craftsmanship Is but the science of
circums tances, and senator, like
sailor, may be going north on one
voyage and south on the next"
However, Coke felt very sore over
his fate; and the Texas seed bill was
understood by his fellow senator's to
be subject which must not be
lightly mentioned in his presence.
One afternoon Senator voorhees,
had just introduced an old white
haired, MISUNDERSTANDING gentle
man to Senator Vest. They were in
the senate cloakroom at the time.
The white-haired philanthropist had
just finished a campaign In Indiana
for seat in the house, and he had |
been egregiously beaten. Senator
Vest was consoling him and ex,
pressing regret that his light was
not to shine at the south end of the |
capitol in the next congress.
However, do not regret it,"
said the white-haired Samaritan.
Il was glad to run, even If I was
defeated. My slaughter may do the
party good. The blood of the
nartyrsis the seed of the church"
1t was just then that Senator
Joke went by. His quick ear caught
,le word seed" and his face
lushed. However, he passed on to
lis seat in the senate. But his
wrath began to rise, and in ten
minutes he was back in the cloak
DOM again looking for an explana-
ion. voorhees, and his white-haired
riend were gone, but Vest was
lifting there all alone, contented as
! toad under cabbage leaf. Coke
addressed him.
Senator Vest" said he, who
uac that whita hairad old idiot I
aw talking with you and Senator
Senator Vest was somewhat sur
,rised, but furnished the informa-
ion.
IT have merely returned to say
O him. SIR" went on Senator Coke,
everely, what. I now say to you,
ir; and that is, that some Of you
gentlemen are making yourselves
ar too merry about that Texas seed