The age-herald., 1897-12-12


 When rough work is to be done David and unyielding, he is just the man to press a parliamentary fight to a finish. A Clayerhouse trooper could not have charged more ruthlessly or have laid about him more savagely. Nor is he ever unhorsed. The majority intuilfvely range themselves behind him, and the contest is sharp and decisive In parlia- mentary skirmishes Henderson usually acts as the speakers lieutenant, and ac- qult himself more than cred tably His personal influence on the floor is strong and his geniality unbounded. Add to this a commanding presence and a voice that penetrates every nook in the south wing of the capitol and the secret of his sl1e- cess is easily discovered.
 One ether veteran, unconnected with Nhe ways and means and committees dealing with appropriations, merits at- tentlon. He is as slim as a horse hair and nearly as supple He is known among his associai es as Long Jim Rich ardson, of Tennessee. Founteen years mas he been member of the house and an indefatigable worker on the District otCclumbia and printing comm u.aes. lie is the Richardson who presided oyer tne democratic nslyional convention in Ch-cago when Bryan was nominated for president, and who has compiled the messages of the presidents from the in auguratlon Of George Washington down e4i1 PAIoNiII Ady. IGCldIuSDn IS e&- ceedingly effective in discussion, and is unl;Neelled as a presiding officer He Knows aS much about the District of Columbia as John Sherman himself and IS equally as wary and watcfful where the interests of the government are in volved. The legislative labyrinth Us. like an open book to him. He tramps it's sinuosjtles with perfect freedom, and can drag ito Fight amy monstrosh.y that may llrk in it's intricacles. Richard a1.. in the future.
 So much for the veterans who are not members of the leading committees of the house. The committee on appropri- a'flons will undoubtedly preponderara the ways and means in the present session. The ways and means had it's innings i'm the special session last summer before the appointment of the committee on appropT1atiers. The latter Is now the center of interest," Its chairman Joseph C. Cannon, has sub-divided At into seven committees, according to the usual cus- tom, each having charge of an appro- priadlon bill. Cannon himself Is chair man of two Of these sub-commibteas OhS mas charge of the sundry civil tefl, ana the other of all the deficiency bills
 Cannon has been a member of the house for more than twepsy-four years. His associates are mostly veterans. He served on the committee for many years, when Samuel J. Randall was its chair
 
 successor of the eminent Pennsylvanian Gen. Harry Bingham, a veteran of twen- ty years standing, is chairman of the subcommittee charged with the leerls- laliVe, executive, and judicial approprin- altion bill, and William w. Grout of Vermont, who has sixteen years of ser vice to hts credit, Is ait the head of the one that recommends the appropriations for the District of Columbia. Grout is a Canadian by birth and Cannon a North Carolinian
 The oher veterans on the main com n1ittee are Joseph D. Savers, of Texas, and John Allen, of Mississippi, each with fourteen years of service; A. M. Dock cry, of Missouri, with sixteen, and Thomas c. McRae, of Arkansas, with fourteen. All are workers and talk CTS. When appropriation bills are be- fore the house common parliamentary courtesy requires their recognition, to the exclusion of members not of the committee. Other veterans charged with appropriations are Charles A. Bou- telle, chairman of the committee on naval affairs, and Robert R. Hit, at the head of the comnahbee on foreign affairs. Both are credited with six teen years of continued service Thomas c. CeI.chings has served nearly four teen years on rivers and harbors The veterans buried on the ways and means for the session are Nelson Dingley, eighteen years; A. J; Hopkins, of llllnDnS, IOurueen, BeHuOn MCMnllln. twenty; Serene B. Payne, fourteen, and Gen. Joe Wheeler, eighteen.
 The quaintest of all is Gen. John H. Ketcham, of New York. filling his ninth term He is always in movement and is as bright as a dollar You find him in every part of the house. and circu- lating freely in the lobby and corridors. He never made a speech in his life, but hfs activity is almost ceaseless. Many amusing stories concerning him are afioalt He called at the white house once to upbratd President Harrison for vetoing his public building bill.
 "The president can't be seen today" said the usher.
 Good heavens" replied the general. 'FHas he goN as small as that? We'll, I'll call around in the morning with microscope"
 AMOS J. CUMMINGS.