The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-11-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Captain Bassett's incomplete Notes-Fitz.
Hugh Lees Odd French-Amusing
Story Of Great Dinner.
Especial Correspondence

y
utors of the late Captain Bassctt, who
was for 60 years connected with the
United States senate, have about given
up tho idea of publishing tho often re-
forrcd to book which the captain had in
his mind for over 20 years. 1t appears
that though Captain Bassett had pre-
pared a great quantity of "reminiscences
of his long experience i'll the senate the
greater part Of it was i'll such shape
that it could not be handled by any ono
except himself. He was kept so busy
with his duties at tho senate that he
was unable to prepare the necessary mar
rativc. The notes that he had made
were disconnected, and many of them
had the proper names only referred to
by initials. In the great majority of
cases the notes could DO transcribed and
filled out, but there would necessarily
be many portions which would have to
be guessed ut. Under the circumstances
the indications arc strongly that tho
book will never DO published
Fitz-Hugh Lees French
General Fitz- Hugh Lee who is arrang.
ing to return to his post at Havana, re-
Gently told of his first visit to Cuba.
That was several years ago. when Gen
cral Leo accompanied cx-Presidcnt
Cleveland, Mr.. Bayard Don Dickinson
and others to Havana. I'VE had Il pref
ty good time" said General Lee, land
were entertained royalty. The enter
tainment that l remember best was one
given by Salamanca. who was then cap
tain general of tho island. 1t was given
i'll the palace and was equal to any
state dinner i'll tho White House.
Besides our own distinguished party
there were some French officers of note
among the guests. Mr.. Cleveland was,
OF course, tho guest of honor. Hc had
tho captain general OIL one side and an
other distinguished Spanish official on
tho other side of him. They couldn't
understand syllable of English and
Mr.. Cleveland could not speak work
of Spanish. 1t was a pretty long two
hours for him. myself tried to help
along tho conversation, not in Spanish,
because tho language was strange to me-
but with tho Frcnchmen. 1t was too
good dinner to eat i'll silence Mr.
Bayard, you know, is a thorough French
scholar, but tho table was a long ono
and he couldn t do all the talking.
Thought Farley Woo Would Come Back
When l was cadet at West Point,
l studied French. That was q good
while ago, but thought the parley VOC
would como back TO me. There was ono
OF tho French officers sitting opposite
me who had Don Dickinson OH one side
and Spanish official Oh the other He
too, was pretty lonesome l thought up
few phrases and fired them at him
sort of light artillery. as it were. He
seemed greatly pleased and replied vol
ubly. Then brought up my re-enforce-
ments. They were mostly French verbs
Again he replied. Then there was 81
lence for q period. and | attacked him
for third time. Ho seemed surprised,
but BIO brought his troops right up 20
the line and received my fire. His
troops were Il staggering lot OF sen
fences. Ho was getting tho best of tho
slirmish when 1 made flank movo Oh
him. watched his face carefully, and
when he seemed to look for me to agree
with what he said | would shrug my
shoulders and say, 'Oui, moseer! When
no seemed to expect me to disagree with
him, would shake my head sternly and
say, Non, non. moseer!' I'm that way
we had pretty animated conversation.
Don Dickinson, Mr.. Cleveland himself
and all the rest of our party were envy
ing me. l could SEQ that from their
looks. Well, just as the dinner broke
up the Frenchman got into little con-
vcrsation with Mr. Bayard. When wo
came away, | asked Mr. Bayard what
the Frenchman bad been saying. 'Ho
was asking Il question, MIR. Bayard re-
piled. Ho was asking what language
the military looking gentleman. mean
ing yourself, spoke. That thing upset
me so that haven't ventured to talk 10
Frenchman in his own language since
that dinner 4"
Why Ee Likes Official Life.
John Z. Green. an Ohio politician of
some note, not long ago was appointed
to fairly good place in one of the de-
partments Ill Washington At home
Green is criminal lawyer and is
known by his success in influencing the
feelings of the jury He weeps natural
tears at the right time. rends his hair
and does other things which successful
lawyers do. His department position
pays 50, 500 year Green told his Ohio
friends that he earned as much at homo
from his practice. They thought no
ought to have had something better
"Of course | ought, said Green, land
hope 10 get something better, but let
me tell you this-the $500 get now
comes coed deal easier than the SO 900