The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-05
gress on the admission of washington as

a state.
Richard W. Townsend, of Illinois, was
page in the house, and afterward came
back as a representative He became chair
man of the committee on military affairs,
and won national reputation. As every
body knows, Senator Arthur P. German
was at one time page in the senate.
These instances are indicative of the abii-
ity of clerks and other employees of the
house of representatives. Much of the rep
utation achieved by prominent men is due
to the clerks of their committees. Major
John NJ. Carson, clerk of the ways and
means committee in the Fifty-nrst con-
gress, took active part in the prepara-
ton Of the Mckinley tariff bill. The same
is true of the committee clerk, Henry TAI
bott in the Fifty-third congress, when he
Wilson bill was passed. Talbot was also
the clerk of the committee when the MOT
rison bill came before the house. MAJOR
Herbert M. Lord was clerk OF the same
committee when the Dingley bill was pre-
pared. He took an active part In its prep
aration, and was as we'll versed as Mr.
Dingley himself in tariff lore. He made
study of the question, and Governor Ding
ley frequently consulted him and TOOK MS
advice while the bill was under considera-
ton in the committee. Probably no man
in the United States understands the tarift
question more thoroughly than Major LORD
He had the confidence Of every MEMBER Oh
the committee, and much of the reputa-
ton achieved by the author OF the Dill Is
due to him.
1t would not be surprising, therefore, to
hear of his selection the republican can
didate to fill the vacancy created by the
death of Governor Dingley The people or
Maine usually send men to congress who
thoroughly understand their business, and
no man knows the business of the ways
and means committee better than Major
Lord. His election would strengthen the
delegation and add to his reputation.
So much for the ebb tide The flood tide
is equally as remarkable. Men who drift
out of congressional life frequently return
to Washington as employees of the house.
Gen. John B. Clark, Jr., of Mississippi,
served eight years as a congressman, and
j then became clerk of the house. His IA
Their before him was a member of the house
and the one who defeated John Sherman as
q candidate for speaker by unearthing the
Hinton Rowan-TIelper Endorsement. When
Sherman withdrew from the contest Clark
made the remark that he had broken the
wing CT that turkey, and 1t would roost
lower hereafter in political life. Emerson
Etheridge. of Tennessee. after serving sew
eral terms in congress, became clerk of the
house. He is still living. near 90 years old.
but hale and hearty. a landmark of the past
and an estimable citizen of Memphis Tenn.
Others who followed in their footsteps were
Edward Mcpherson, of Pennsylvania;
George NJ Adams, of Kentucky; James
clerk of the house, Alexander Mcdowell,
Mcpherson was clerk of the house four
teen years. the longest term of service on
record.
The returning tide has brought back to
the house many a congressman in the ca
pacity of sergeant-at-arms Among the
number were Adam ]. Glossbrenner, of
Pennsylvania; John p. Leedom, of Ohio;
Adeniram j. Holmes, of Iowa; S. S. Yoder,
of Ohio, and Herman w. Snow, of Illinois.
Nor has the office of doorl1eeper been be-
meath the consideration of former congress
men, Charles II. Turner, the ice man, who
was elected to congress from New York
city, became doorkeeper at the expiration
of his term of office.
Certain it is there is a fascination in
Washington life for members who have
drifted out on the political tide. Some
haunt the capitol for years. The most
noted instance of this was the Hon. Thomas
l.. Clngman, once a member of the house
and also United States senator from North
Carolina. When over so years old he spent
hours upon hours listening to debates in
the senate and house Many ex-members
who do not return to Washington in an Of
fetal position put out their shingles and
practice law within the district You can
meet a score of them any day on Pennsyl-
vania avenue. And still the tide GIBBS and
flows, and men are as eager to obtain sub
ordinate positions in the house as they
were formerly to become members of con-
gress The Goddess of Liberty stands upon
the dome of the capitol watching the re-
flux and the influx Well might she say, in
the language of Tennyson and Timothy ].
Campbell:
Men may come and men may go,
But I stay here forever
AMOS ]. CUMMINGS.