The morning times., 1896-12-19

Hon. Robert w. Davis, Representative
elect from the Second district OF Florida,
is registered at the National. Besides
having business engagements to call him
here, he will make use of some of his time
in learning the ropes of Congress ioual
life so that the extra session that he
thinks is sure To be called will not find
him a stranger to the way he VIII travel
after next March.
Mr.. Davis is a typical Southeruer. with
the suavity and good-fellow ship that is
tradit ional among Southern gentlemen.
He has none of that lack of acquaintance
with his own sense OF dignity that some,
times characteriZes the new Congressman.
His perfect knowledge of the necessities
and desires of Florida, and his identity
with the great interests OF the State is
the best possible guarantee of his SIC
cess i'll national life as her Representative.
He has decided opinions on the Cuban
question, and thinks that independence
cannot come too soon for the unfortunate
island. 49,
But he said, "the people Of Florida
are opposed to the annexation OF Cuba
TO the United States. That the !sland
should gain its independence is desired by
all; every feeling OF humanity and love of
liberty unite In this deInand; but aside
from the consideration-of CtNe difference in
character Of population, Which wouldrender
assimilation difficult il not impossible, there
remain certain. economic consider ations
that must be taken into account.
The people Of Florida have investments
amounting to millions Of dollars both in
manufacturing interests and in plantations
that would have to compete, on an alto
gether different basis from the present, with
similar industries in Cuba. / do not be-
lieve that the people OF Florida should
be exposed TO this shock of competition,
and know that annexation is not cOnsd-
cred desirable by those citizens whose
business interests have brought them in
close touch with Cuba and the Cubans
This must not be construed as opposition
to independence; as l said, we all favor it,
but we are opposed to annexation
Judge Blakey, of TappGhannock, Va,
is registered at the Metropolitan and is ac-
companied in his visit to the Capital by
his newly welded wife. Judge Blakey
is prominent in Virginia politics, having
been the Presidential elector for his dis
trict, the First, as well as a delegate to
the Chicago convention. He will remain
in Washington for several days.
Apropos OF the fads of public men, it
was said by a West Vrginian at an up
| town hot el last night that the late
| Senator Kenna was, when alive, pas
| SionateIy devoted to amateur photographs y,
and was skilled beyond belief in the
mysteries of that art. He used to devote
| every spare moment TO his camera and
| his dark room, and was prouder of d
well yeloped print than Of his match
less cloquence and power to move mems
hearts. Ir this connection, somebody in
the party told this story:
Artists men of paints and brushes,
that is-are proneto deny that photography
is an art They scoff at its claims and
say that it is the mere record of fact and
incapable of idealiZation, the true aim
| of art. But it has certain advantages,
which are best illustrated by the story of
the old Scotch gardener who had watched
the slow growth on the canvass of a roam
ing artist, of tie. painted semblance' of
the landscape which he helped, by his
daily labor, to make worthy of the artist 's
| brush About the time OF the compile
ton of the picture his better acquaintance
! with the painter emboldened him to ask:
Man, why dinna ye go in for photog-
raphee?"
THE artist explained that photography
was not art. 90
'Weel, 1 dinna ken about that said
the gardener, but it's deal quicker
and taking close look at the canvas,
added: And ID sight likcr.' -