The true northerner., 1898-05-04


of His Mother Came tn Him with "a Can
teen of watsr While He Lay Wounded
ON attlsfield-Congressnan Coriiss still
Receiving Petitions Against the Anti
scalpers' Biii-senator McMilian's Mail.
Washington, May a-"May is the
anniversary OF a great battle" says
Senator Burrows this morning. "Thir-
ty-fve years ago on that day General
Hooker led his army across the river
back of Fredericksburg, Va, on the
heights of Charlottesville and there
engaged the Confederate army under
General Lee and General Jackson. Hook
er had every advantage on that occa-
sion, but through some ineXplicable
cause lost his advantage. He permitted
Lee to violate one of the Napoleonic
axioms not 10 divide an army in the
presence of an enemy. Directly in the
presence of Hooker and his army Gen
eral Lee divided his army and sent Gen
eral Jackson 70 attack Hooker's rear.
The movement was successful. and
Hooker was defeated, but the Confed-
crates lost their ablest lieutenant gen.
eral, for "StonewalP' Jackson was shot
by mistake by some of his own men,"
Congressman Spalding of Monroe
said: II left the Army of the Potomac
several months before the battle of
Charlottesville was fought. i was at
the seige of Yorktown. but was detailed
to Cincinnati. and afterwards was with
Rosecrans. / remember the battle,
though-remember reading it in detail
Everybody was then afraid that Wash
ington city would be captured. But
General Lee did not undertake that
movement, but on the contrary. he in
vaded Pennsylvania, and was driven
back from Gettysburg. That was the
high water mark Of the Confederacy."
Spirit of His Mother.
1T was wounded at Chancellorsville,"
says Colonel Lounsburry of the First
and Twenty Michigan. while /
was lying there on the field at midnight
the spirit of my mother came to me and
gave me canteen full of water. That
revived me and saved my life. That is
the reason I am a spiritualist."
II was suggested that one of the sis
ters of mercy might have given him
that water, and that. in his weakened
condition he imagined that il was his
mother. But no, he will never believe
anything other than the impression he
received that night.
"It is strange how self-interest over
looks patriotism" says Congressman
Corliss Notwithstanding the fact that
this country is engaged with a foreign
power i'm a war which may affect our
entire future the people are still send
ing in petitions for and against the
anti-scalper bill: for and against all
sorts of measures; and some Of the old
soldiers are vehemently urging con-
gressmen TO secure the passage of spe-
cial bills granting pensions to them.
Now, the right of petition cannot
and ought not to be abridged. Con-
gressmen ought always to pay heed to
the petitions and requests of the peo-
pie; but IL is just as we'll for the peo-
pie TO pay some heed to the limitations
OF power which a congressman pos
sesses. / could as easily fly to the moon
as to get congress to consider private
matters just now, and / don't think
that people ought to overlook the fact
that we are at war, and that congress
is considering national rather than per-
sonal and individual matters"
War Vessels for the Lakes.
While the war goes on the preliminar-
les for the new war vessel TO take the
lakes are under consideration in the
navy department The money is al
ready appropriated. plans are being
prepared. and il is simply question Of
little time when contracts will be let
and the work begun.
Senator Mcmillan nowadays sees but
few OF his business and political letters
All Of his mail is handled by his con-
fidential secretary, Charles Moore, and
Senator Mcmillan sees only such letters
as his secretary deems necessary to
place before him. The average business
man employs a stenographer, and this
necessitates great deal of work in
debating letters. The superior business
man employs a confidential secretary,
who can write letters on all subjects
without dictation. Such a secretary is
Mr.. Moore and he is invaluable TO the
senator in his political work.
Political Conditions In Michigan.
All sorts OF rumors reach Washing
ton concerning political conditions in
Michigan, but we don't know what to
believe or disbelieve. There was man
here recently from Michigan who said
that 100000 have been raised to re-
elect Burrows to the senate, and as
soon as this story excites interest, in
comes a man from Bay City, who says
that Pingree has unlimited wealth
backing him. These stories which reach
Washington are probably blowing over
the prairies and soughing over the
lakelets.
Congressman Bishop gave half a dol
lar TO a poor but respectable-looking
beggar woman on Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. The correspondent witnessed the
occurrence, and slowly walked after the
woman, accompanied by Mr.. Bishop.
The woman walked two blocks, entered
a saloon came out wiping her lips, and
carrying a pint flask in her hand. II
will be a long time before Bishop gives
any more money TO street beggars.
Committee without Occupation.
The committee on foreign relations
of which William Alden Smith is a
member, Is practically without occupa-
ton, now that the Cuban-Spanish af-
fair has gone beyond the limits of di-
plomacy. There is a strong likelihood,
however. that the committee will soon
be required to take UP for consideration
some propositions looking to a treaty