New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-14
TWO VISITORS FROM THE PlST.
PROCTOR KNOTT AND J. RANDOLPH TUCKER
AS SEEN IN THEIR WASHING
TON SOJOTRNS

WASHINGTON. June Is (SpeciaD. Congress
man Proctor Knott. Of Kentucky. was one Of the
guests at the recent Harjin-Stevc nson wedding
He remained for week after The event. renew
ing old acquaintance and talking over OLD
times. lie retired from Congress sixteen years
ago. so that men who are considered veterans IN
that field now We're either not there on the scene
or had just made their appearance. lie foun'
f.w of the old set remaining. but from them ne
received a very cordial greeting Speaker Reed
WAS of the number, ana the two men exchanged
their Natest stories with great relish.
The famous author Of the Duluth speech Is
now an old man His color remains high but MS
rnustache OF military cut. IA snow white, ana
his movements are slow His figure has lllled
ont and as he is below the medium height. his
appearance is rotunl. lie leads quiet lie out
in Kentucky and enjoys it. lie is lecturer on
law in the University at Danvilc. the leadlNS
educational institution IN the state. where ne
is not only the most eminent citizen OF the town.
hut * regarded as one Of the lights of the coun-
try. The young men all but worship him The
classroom oyernOws on his lecture days. lie u
a rare taltcl. uses 4 variety Of striking mus
tra,ions in his discussions. ana not only IN
structs. but entertains the students. II Is He
for which he seems admirably suited in every
way
Mr. Knott is an ardent silver man. end this has
led TO tho suggestion that he re-enter politics and
come back to Congress. ] is not believed. how
ever, that he will consent to do 50. His most
intimate friends declare that the charm OF poll
Tics Is broken for him. and that his heart Tow IL
permanently fixed upon the enjoyments OF pri-
vate life
Another man once famous In Congress Is now
Law Z "A pD'lllar nniEf TSitE. ms
is J. Randolph Tucker Of Virginia. He Is a
member OF the Washington and Lee faculty.
and occasionally revisits the capital MI.
| Tucker Ike Mr. Knott. Is a charming talker,
and finds much 10 his enjoyment in the life he
now is leading. His temperament Is comlan-
/ ionable and boyish and he loves Crony ana a
good story. He stands high as lawyer. and "a
a man II culture ara wide reading While IN
Congress Mr. Tucker served on the Judiciary
Committee and for a term or two was It's chAlr-
man. He took rank with those VINO are ."Led u
| good deal to the discussion of the larger ieSai
| questions presented
Mr.. fuckers friends have always complained
Of the lack Of appreciation Of him by Mr.. Cleve-
! land In 1850 they presecd him for the Aior-
ey-Generalship, declaring that he was the most
eminent lawyer IN the South. But Mr. Cleye-
/ land took Mr. Garland. of Arkansas with DIS
| astrous results. When Justice Woods, Of the
/ Supreme Court died. Mr.. Tucker was proposed
I for the vacancy. Again II was urged that Mt
/ fuckers equipment IS n lawyer WAS greater
/ than that Of any other man IA the South. But
/ Mr. Cleveland appointed Mr. Lamar. who was
/ not regarded Il lawyer at all. In 1s''2. Mt
! fuckers friends still hopeful urged him the
second time for the Departm, mt of Justice. hu'
/ Mr. Cleveland turned his cycs IN arOtber drec-
/ ton. and discovered Mr.. Olney IN Massachrs-tts
/ after that the NrglaIans lost patience and took
! respectful leave Of the White House.
! Mr. Tucker like all men Of his temperament
! ,e poor lie is n stranger 10 the art Of money
nalng. or even housekeeping. ana lives up L
! a modest income. This learned professor and
/ man Of sixty-nve IS known among his familiars
as "Kan" Tucker. His favOrite song is said tc
be "Old Dan Tucker'-"nCt relative" he al
ways explains.