New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-07
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
ADMIRAL sTEvENS'S LOVE FOR THE
TUNE OF ANNIE LAURIE"

WHY SENATOR BLACKBURN FAILED TO GET HIS
ADMINISTRATION r. BRECKINRIDGE's
cAREER-TnE NEGRO MESSENGER.
Washington June 6 (SpeciaD.-The late Ad-
miral Stevens not musician, and not great
lover Of music. but there was one tune, ANNIE
Laurie" dear to him from early associations
which he always recognized and which he never
missed chance to hear. Lieutenant Bnford, ms
nag lieutenant during his laet command. knew
this, and when the end Of his memorable career
came, on the day of his retirement from active
service. after his flag had been saluted ana
hauled down the band played this tender Ola
ballad the popular air of half-century ago
II was played again, recently at the inevllapie
send At the funeral Of Admiral Stevens, at Ar
1ngton, when the commttal service was ehdeo'
the comm had been covered with flowers. ana the
three volleys fired his last resting-piace' 'e
nrst cornet of the Marine Band played ANNE
Laurie" then the scarlet-coated bugier TOOK HIS
station at the head Of the grave ana soulueu
staps" for this brave officer. noted in war TOT MS
fearlessness and bravery. in private lie for his
'mildness and gentle spirit.
Senator Blackburn is not only rafting
stumn-speaker but n rafting good talker' Inc
rr,ands nj home never attempt TO talk TO hihi'
They know he doesn't like it. and they never III
+errunt him. If he asks question they uhoeI-
'stand that he wants a reply in the fewest "oruS
nosshle and they make il very brief
After the failure Of the Kentucky Legislature
20 elect a Senator to succeed him. MI p"'
burns friends held meeting al leN'he'"n "i'
in,edred themselves to renew the struggle ia N'
behalf before the next Legislature. lhen '"es
called upon him for speech He respohueu III
what IA termed by the politicians "A very happ!
effort" He expressed his deep gra'ituue ioi
what mis- friends had already done FOR hih' '"e"
.basted" Wall Street and the gold puss III
stirring style. and wound up by plcdgng himSe'r
n.,,, - silver Raising his right hand and speak
,ro with unusual emphasis and solemnity' ne
.o,a "If ever desert the cause Of silver, let my
-,obt hand forget her cunning and my tongue
c,eave TO the roof Of my mouth!
To Mr. Blackburn's surprise the audience diu
not respond with that burst OF applause which
he was expecting and to which ne hao eNe'N
himself 10 lead up There was lnstean' eo''
amusement and in the rear OF the nan PoSi'''''y
a litter wae heard. Later Mr.. Blackburn asNeu
tho chairman of the meeting, confdenuaiiy lor
an explanation of the matter
eft was the way in which you expressed your
..,, Too mont talk to people here at home about
They believe you are sincere about silver out
&hev know that nothing you could DO snort Vi sur
Ia rou,d ever stop YOU from talking
Tho Senator saw the point. and forgavc the
crowd
Clifton r. breckenridge the American Ampas-
.ador at the court of the Car, ana participants
In the great state fetes in Moscow Is inc seco"u
son Of the late John c. breckenridge, ana man
NJ Nftv General Breckenridge left three SOILS 'o
eldest named for him. who is often In Ne"-'oiN
and Washington on business; chiffon H. anu
Owsr r who died several years ago in Califor-
MIA The Youngest son alone inherited MS 1a'her
An. stature He was regarded as one OF the haiio-
soros., men on the Pacific coast He had point
tco, ambition and had made some progress HAD
no lived he would probably have entered Con-
.rsss and become National figure. His miodIe
name was County. General Breckenridge was
candidate for Congress in the Ashland district at
IN. time of his third sons birth. and the contest
hinged on Owen County. Only few hours De-
fore the youngsters arrival the news had oeeh
received that the pivotal county had gone for
n Brecknridge This greatly elated the General
! and 1t is told that when the nurse ushereo MIN
u into his wife's room he leaned over the bed and
coz hor tho election bulletin and said my dear
we'll name the young man In honor OF the VIC
.or,." And so the child was called Owen County
Breckenridge.
Clifton r. Breckenridge. though but lad. saw
service in the Confederate Army under his rather
After the war he attenCed college at Washington
and Lee University III Virginia, and mace some
preparation for entering the Presbyterian minis
try. He changed his mind, however and be-
came O cotton-planter in Arkansas. His neigh-
bors decided after time to send him 10 Con-
gress. and they kept him there about ten years
His appearance in the House was opportune lot
his advancement Mr.. Carlisle Speaker. and
the Kentucky influence was exerted TO bring the
new member from Arkansas to the 'front.'
Mr. Breckinridge Is Of low stature and wears
rlasses He suggests the college professor both
In his appearance and in the elaboration OF his
manner With a good deal Of dignity he carries
pretty high spirit at times In Democratic
caucus in the hall of the House several years ago
the discussion became excited, and the members
were treated to fist fight between Mr. Breckin-
ridge and Mr. Blount, Of Georgia The latter
afterward became the famous Paramount Com
missioner TO Hawaii and upon tackling the Dole
Government got permanently knocked out"
Mr. Breckenridge Is the third native Kentuckian
70 represent this Government at St Petersburg;
Charles s. Todd was the first and Cassius NJ.
Clay was the second.
Mrs Breckenridge who accompanied her nus
band to Russia, is a charming and decidedly
pretty woman.
A member Of the lower House. belated for some
reason he did not feel when telling the story.
compelled to state. although his Damon insisted
# wa. a poker party and that Pythias came off
a handsome winner, found himself at o'clock
one morning last week several miles from
his home In the extreme northwestern part OF
the city. and no cab in sight. There was moth
ing to do but foot It. So. with what energy
O man can muster after an evening devoted TO
the onerous labors imposed by game Of poker
he started toward home On this especial occa-
sion luck was evidently with him. for ne had not