The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-07-30

announcement. The Democrat in office
has many friends among the Republic
an leaders.
Travesties Upon Art.
Some of the paintings publicly .ex-
hiblted in Washington are travesties
upon art. 4 The paintings in the rotunda
of the Capitol building are large: in
fact. immense. but they lack artistic
touch and the power of true genius.
Many of the statues In the public
squares are worthy of destructive criti-
cism rather than praise. The bad out
numbers the good in all things artistic
here. and yet there is much that is
commendable. The public buildings are
without rivalry in the whole world in
many respects.
In the executive departments some Of
the really commendable works of art
are buried from sight. and few of our
citizens or visitors to the national CAPT.
tai ever see the portraits of Daniel
Webster and Lord Ashburton, which
hang in the diplomatic reception room
Of the state department. They were
painted at the time of the Ashburton
treaty, away back in the '40s. The
artist gave one pair to Webster and the
other to the English minister, Lord
Ashburton, who helped make the treaty.
Lord Ashburton took his pictures to
England. The others remained in the
Webster family, and were the only
things saved by the heirs from the fire
at Mansfield some years ago. Congress
bought them of Daniel Webster's Wild
ow and jewed her down to $4,000 apiece
In paying for them.
The Bey Of Tunis.
In an ante-room, also devoted to the
diplomats. there are portraits of Will
lam H. Seward and Daniel Webster and
life-size picture of the Bey Of Tunis,
which was presented in 1865 by the hey
himself to the United States govern
ment. In an ante-room at the opposite
end Of the corridor there is a fine col
lection of photographs and crayons rep
resenting the different secretaries of
state. In the navy department and the
war department you will find pictures
of the men who have been at the head
Of them from the beginning. The pub
lie buildings are, in fact, portrait gal
leries made up of fine paintings of the
prominent men of the nation since the
days of Hamilton and Burr.
The collection of portraits of the Sec
retaries of the treasury is very fine
Here you may see Alexander Hamilton,
Albert Gallatin, William II. Crawford,
Judge fancy, Thomas Ewing, Salmon
p. Chase, and in fact, almost every
secretary from 1889 to 1885. 1t is the
same In the attorney generals Office,
place which few men visit, and strang-
ers never. Still, here is an old family
portrait of Edmund Randolph, the first
attorney general of the United States,
and the man who had a fuss with
Washington; a fine portrait Of Levi
Lincoln, painted by no one knows who;
the others of Evarts. Stanton, Alphonso
Taft, John j. Crittenden and in fact Of
every leading lawyer who has ever been
a presidents constitutional adviser.
Story by Senator Proctor.
Senator Proctor Of Vermont, who
used to be secretary of war, and who
was at one time governor Of Vermont,
Is a dignified statesman, but given to
much POPULARITY in private conversation.
In little senatorial group he recently
told story to illustrate the economical
habits of the original inhabitants of
the New England states. He said that
Aunt Betsy Hicks. a widow, carried on
her late husbands farm with ability,
but with such close economy that her
saving devices became famous among
the neighbors for many miles around.
Next to her economy Of provisions her
economy Of firewood was perhaps her
chief concern. At one time a sister of
her late husband from down the coun-
try" came to make her visit and soon
became convinced that Betsey was try
ing to freeze her out. But perhaps this
was not so, as the temperature was as
as Mrs. Hicks usually kept it.
II declare" the visitor ventured to ex-
claim, II would think you kept 1t pref
ty cold here, Betsey!"
THAT ere pesky thermometers to
blame, Susan" said Betsey. II guess
it's choked up. 1 can't get it above so
to save my lfe!"
Then she turned over the stick of
wood in the sheet-ron stove, while her
guest walked up and down the room
with her hands thrust up the sleeves
Of her dress.
The visitor remained at Aunt Betsey's
for several days, however, in spite of
the choked thermometer, spending much
Of her time In bed, or watching chance
to smuggle a stick into the stove when
her hostess was out of the room.
Late one afternoon she happened to
go out into the woodshed and found
Aunt Betsey there with an old shawl
wrapped around her shoulders and a
stick In her hand, engaged In violently
stirring something in a large tin can.
A strong smell of petroleum filled the
air.
"Betsey Hicks" said the visitor. what
be you a-doin'?"
wal, IL you want to know" said Aunt
Betsey, II thought I'd see II I couldn't
stir q leetle mite of water int the kar-
osene. I reckoned it'd go a leetle fur
Their tn so much compny in the house
as seem to have!"
Her guest went away early the next
morning on the stage coach.
Anecdote of Lincoln.
When the congress convenes, as 1t does
on the first Monday Of December every
year, a Joint committee of the senate
and house Of representatives calls upon
the, president. Harry Bryan. who was
at one time a private secretary to Sec
rotary Blaine, says that he often heard
Mr.. Blaine tell a characteristic anec-
1ofa capcarnin0 President lincoln