The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-09
Statesmen
WIFI Pau
Al Chess.

For some time past spirited con-
test has been waged among the chess
playing members of the house Of repre-
sentatives for the purpose Of determir-
ing who should have the honor of being
selected to represent the house in the
forthcoming international chess match
with team picked from the members
of the house Of commons of the British
parliament.
The first step toward the match was
taken by a member of the British par
lament a few weeks ago, just before
the adjournment of the short session Of
the Fifty-fourth congress. Speaker
Reed one day received in his mail a let
ter from the Britishers which stated
that several of the members of the
house of commons desired to arrange
friendly game of chess with SINH
lar number of members of the house
of representatives. Speaker Reed is not
an authority on chess matters, but
knowing that Congressman Shannon
of New York and Pearson of North
Carolina were both much Interested in
the game he turned the communication
over to them. They at once made a few
inquiries among their fellow members
and found that quite number of them
had played chess more or less and
were willing to undertake a match with
the Englishmen.
AT meeting of the enthusiasts which
was called by Mr.. Pearson a commit
tee was appointed composed of the fol-
lowing men, who were instructed to
reply to the informal challenge and
arrange the details of the pronosed
contest: Congressman Richmond Pear
son of Asheville, N. c., General Joe
Wheeler of Alabama, General David 3.
Henderson of Iowa, Judge De Almond
of Missouri, Richard C. Shannon of
New York, Robert G. Cousins of Iowa
and Claude Swanson of Virginia.
Mr.. PEARSON was nominated and
elected as chairman and opened conn
munications at once with Mr.. J. Hem
nicker Heaton, who is acting as the
manager for the British team.
Congressman Pearson, who is con-
Quoting the negotiations on this side
of the water, will doubtless be the cap
tain of the American team. In the gen.
eral frying out process among the can
didates of the house to determine who
are the best players the North Caro-
linian has had little trouble in van
gushing them all. The Americans will
be at a great disadvantage in selecting
their team, as so many members of the
house are new men, and it is therefore
difficult to find out who are familiar
with the game. The subject has been
generally discussed on the floor of late,
however, and it has been found that
no less than go congressman are more
or less expert in manipulating the ivory
figures.
General Shannon of New York is also
an excellent player and is able to give
Congressman Pearson the closest ar
gument of the congressional contin-
gent. Judge De Almond plays care
full and conservative game and passes
many an evening with General Joe
Wheeler at the latters rooms over
chessboard. General Wheeler has not
recent years, but when young man he
was able to give any one in his native
town a stiff argument. His play is rapt
id and oftentimes brilliant.in character.
Congressman Pearson been max
ing strong effort to Ct 1neral Hen
de1son of Iowa to try forN place on the
team. Cousins of Iowa, who also plays
a good game Of chess, says that out in
Iowa General Henderson has the repu-
tation of being the best player in the
state.
Congressman Foote of New York is
also known as good chess player. He