The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-09-26
STORIES OF THE SENATE.
One Of How Chandler Got ConkIing 20
Pat ON Gloves with Jsm Niece.

IN. Y. Sun
Old attaches Of the United States SEN
ats like TO tell stories OF the palmy days
of Senators Pomeroy, "Old Pom" of
Kansas, Zach ChandierfofEM Michigan. and
Nesniith Of Oregon. Chandler was more
of practical joker than story teller
Roscoe Conkling. being q much younger
man and In almost constant training,
subjected Chandler to some severe drub-
bings In their friendly bouts with the
gloves. Oncs Chandler invited ConkIing
TO dine with him. his family being away
at the time. and at table he was intro
duced to a mild-m annered, well-buiit
man who seemed to be somewhat embar-
raised by his environment and ysntured
not word beyond.ths most commonplace
expressions. Conkling concluded that the
stranger was backwoods constituent
and. beyond the common oivilities. ceased
to address him. After dinner they re-
paired TO the billiard room, and presently
old Zach and Conkling. as usual, put on
the mittena Conkling was In high
spirits and seemed to enjoy himself i'm
mensely In knocking his old fri end all
around the room.
| Chandler soon cried enough, and inti-
mated that his other guest might be dis
posed to join Conkling In a bout The
stranger jumped at the suggestion and
donned the gloves. Some awkwardess
was shown by thesnewcomer, although he
seemed quite spry upon his feet. Conk-
ling caught him heavy blow on the
chest which staggered him, followed by an
upper cut that missed Its purpose, anu
he caught in'return blow on the point
OF the chin that landed him fiat on his
back. Throwing back his curls, he was
up In an instant and rushed on his an
tagontst full OF fire and Indignation. In
tending to give him a settler. Instead
be was turned upside down by left
handed blow on the neck that came with,
trip hammer force AS he slowly raised
himself, he caught sight Of his host
doubled up with laughter, rolling on a
settee In the corner Of the room. Without
saying word be removed the glnves and
stalksd out Of the house. AT dinner
party next night, Chandler related how
he had engaged Jem Mace. the champion
heavy weight pugilist of England, now
exhibiting In this country, 70 meet his
friend Conkling, and the result OF the In
terview. For few days Conkling was
boiling mad, but the fun OF the tsituation
was too much and he gave In ana Joined
In the laugh.
Senator Pomeroy usedgto tell of q loo al
1 preacher In Kansas who had forced him
self upon the stump after Linooln's sec
ond nomination and who demanded
recognition Of the party for his services
during the campaign. he said he would
like TO be sont as minister plsnipotentiary
to Engiand or France and when told that
| 1t was impossible, insisted on being ap-
pointed consul to Liverpool. Finding
that the powers that be- considered
1 hat ruII~ -
offended at what he considered lack of
appreciation OF his services In State
thai nothing could have turned against
the Republicans Finally, senator Pom
eroy said to him: "I'm going to Wash
ington In about two weeks time-think
ON something in reason, I'll aid you In
getting It," In ten days he called on
! the Senator again, his head still away up
In the clouds, and being assured of the
impossibiltiy Of getting what he thought
WAS about his due said;
"Senator, can't you think of some
place that would suit mer'
| "Yes," said Pomroy, "I'ye thought of
a place that would suit you and that you
would suit, and that there 10 possibility
OF getting for you. It's an Indian
Agency"
tan Indian Agency, what's thats"
lQueried the preacher.
"Well. you are to look after the welfare
OF our red brothers and see that their
supplies are properly and honestly deliy
| cred TO them"
"What Ia it worth"s
"Fiftsen hundred dollP-s and per-
quisites, returned the Senator.
4 "PerQuisites-what perqufsiteef"
Well. you see, my friend, the govern
ment contracts for SO many herd of beef
cattle averaging about SO many hundred
pounds. Now, In delivering these cattle,
they are counted while being driven into
an enclosure, and IL a yearling should
happen to slip In now and then, you are
not to make too much fuss abont 1t, and
there You win find your perquisites.
| Think 1t over 10
"I'n take it," said the reverend gentle
man. i've already thought 1t over. and
do you know, Senator, 1 think veal is q
blamed site better than bsef for Indians,
anyway"
Nssmith of Oregon had never been at
the capital until after his election as Sem
ator. and OF course he was much I'M
pressed by his new surroundings. He
was sworn Ia alone, being escorted to the
| Vice Presidents desk by a senator from
Pennsylvania. and The scene fllsd MIN
with awe. Some months later, when he
had grown familiar with fellow senators
and surroundings and been discovered to
be the most companionable OF men be was
asked as TO his feelings when he first
entered the Ssnate chamber. He replied
that when he walked down the aisle 90
take the oath and Viewed the white and
venerable heads on either side of him, his
heart jumped 10 his throat and he could
hardly refrain from saying aloud, .fNss-
mith /. how the devil did you ever get
hsreP" WELL" said q colleague, "now
that you have been with us ak months
and are no longer a stranger, what are
your feelings AZ you look over the august
bodyfn
SWELL" replied Nesmith, "now suat
I've had chance TO meet you all and
take the measure of each, look on the
| old bald pates by which am netiged In
and inxninnfarilx ash anraAif laNeapnith