The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-02-13

Congressman George Smith, Of Illinois, is
being congratulated on his phenomenal sue
cess. He actually got pension claim for one
Of his constituents through the Bureau. But
the work he did to secure il was enormous.
*
During the heated discussion in the Senate
over the Presidents Venezuelan message re-
Gently, one occupant of the House floor ire.
verently declared that he didn't see the use of
Senate anyhow Then there arose by his
side elderly Illinois Congressman, who pro-
coeded to tell his belligerent confrere little
story:
"A good many years ago." said the elder
man, eve had a President named Lincoln and
Secretary named Seward. Lincoln and Seward
one day were taking a quiet cup OF tea together
in the Presidents study. Stewards tea was
very hot, and he was blowing vigorously into
the cup TO cool the tea. The conversation be-
tween the two men drifted hther and yon, and
Seward made the remark you have just echoed
that he didn't see what this country wanted
with Senate. As he spoke he poured his hot
tea into the saucer to cool. Lincoln looked at
him queerly, and said
"'You have answered your question, Seward
"a How do you mean2' questioned the Sec.
rotary.
Pouring out that tea replied Lincoln.
The Senate is the saucer of the Nation into
which we pour hot legislation to cool off,"
II
Lieut.. Niblack, of the Navy, is not only one
Of the leading naval tacticians Of the service
I l.
possesses rare ability as a scenic artist. At an
Army and Navy dance held here the spectacu-
lar effect produced by the decorations. Of a
typical naval character, were by all odds the
most superb ever attempted at a ball in this
city. Mr.. Niblack had the stage converted
into magnificent maritime picture. so realis-
tic as 10 bring forth the admiration of the most
grizzly old Admiral present. There were the
turbulent waters of the Atlantic produced with
white-cap waves and picture of squadron of
seven ships arranged in feet order, with tiny
red and green running lights and smoke fat
almost with their tunnels aud giving an idea
of great speed. The ships used in the picture
were the models of the latest additions to the
Navy constructed by The Department. These
models vary from eight feet for the New York
to about three FOR the little practice vessel Ban
croft. and each is an exact reproduction of the
vessels as they are when in active service. Be-
fore one of these miniature vessels was sent to
the hail. however, the Secretary required an
insurance Of $50 900 TO be taken out by the ball
committee to protect them against fire or other
injury.
friend Of the veterans Gen. n. NJ. Curtis, of
New York, called up bill 10 give poor widow
in his district a pension OF S. month. OF
course, he at once became the shining mark of
the jibc5 and sarcasms of the smart soldier
hators. who come to the Friday evening scs-
sions TO practice debating tactics. But the
General stuck TO his work, and finally got his
desired favorable recommendation. The next
morning as he sal down 10 bis desk with feel
ing Of duty well-performcd he opened a tele-
graph en- velope, and read the brief message it
contained: Susan Wright died last night"
Another victim to the Nations tardy justice
Col. Z. w. Blue, OF Kansas has been confined
to his room for several days with a combine
ton of rheumatism aud the old wound in his
foot.
The passing Of the Congressional years makes
many a conspicuous change in the appearance of
those s0lons who have wiihsiood The wear aud
tear of several Senatorial terms OF the entire
number there perhaps none who have
altered more than Senator Sherman. Not that
be has grown old more rapidly than would I've
on 10 in hat off hut ba
cut OF his beard has made a remarkable change
lie then wore his beard in a style which is
seldom seen at the present day, though quite
fashionable quarter of Century ago and ex-
ircmely becoming TO certain men. The years
since that time have been periods Of hard work
TO Mr.. Sherman. lie is indeed persistent
worker. He has just rounded out his doth
year in National affair. for lie came to the
Bah Congress as a Representative from Ohio.
having been continuously Representative, Sena-
tor. Cabinet officer. aud Senator again.
Il
Another man who has very much changed
in personal appearance is Senator Stewart
The transformation in his case is from dark
hair and beard to the whitest hair and longest
beard that any ST. Nicholas ever dared sport.
Who would have thought. in gazing upon tho
full sandy beard of Stewart OF those days. that
he would be the benevolent-looking Santa
Claus of the Senate that we sec him today?
4
quarter OF a century has made something
OF change in the personal appearance of
Daniel Wolsey VOORHEES,, Of Indiana. That
straight, stiff brown hair and beard, almost
black, have been al last compelled TO yield.
somewhat, to the touch Of time. Mr. Voorhees,.
however celebrated his 65th birthday Oh the
% b Of September, aud is entitled to at least a
few gray hairs.
Senator Stephen Il. Elkns is an Ohioan. "a
years old. He went TO Missouri when q bow.
aud got his schooling there. After brief ex-
perencc in the army he emigrated TO New
Mexico, where he praciced Law, served in the
Legislature and engaged in many business
enterprises, which for the most part proved
was his interest in the Maxwell land grant
For four years be represented the Territory in
Congress. For several years he was on the
Republican National Committee, and in 1884
he was chosen Chairman aud conducted the
Baine-Clcveland campaign with distinct abil-
ity. In 1891 President Harrison asked Mr.
Elkins 10 enter his Cabinet as Secretary of
War when Gov. Proctor resigned to take his