The Holly chieftain., 1899-07-07

wanted in these councils, and they
o'clock in the morning.
During such conferences as these it
was decided that war with Spain should
be deferred until we could get powder,
shot and supplies for the army and navy.
1t was also decided that the congress
should vote $4,000, 900 "for the national
Defense" in order that the president
might hasten preparations for the in
evitable. 1t was decided that prelim-
mary work should be done on the fnan-
cial bill which is to be passed next
winter. Thus these midnight confer
ences prepare important legislation;
and Col. Henderson has left his impress
on all important measures for nearly
20 years in just such conferences.
| Well, this is q sample Of the way the
days are spent, in a constant grind of
brilliant effort and consistent work.
The reader will grasp at once the fact
that popular congressman cannot
find time for pleasure or recreation
while the congress is In session.
Now what has Mrs. Henderson been
uOlHH lulb dAlCG bAC CdAuot AdVC
her husband with her to lunch, al mid
day. She cannot see him from break
fast time until supper time. She can
not have him with her in the evening, to
go to theater, lecture or other enter
tninment. She and her daughters are
deprived of the company of husband
and father nearly all the time congress
is in session. 1t is only when they are
at home in Dubuque that they have him
to themselves part OF the time; and
they do love him much, and enjoy his
| splendid, congenial, affectionate COM
pany.
| Is it any wonder then that this low
ing, loyal little woman should say that
she will be proud Of his advancement
to the great position of speaker of the
house. but she will also be sorry? For
you must understand that while the
time of the popular congressman is
taken up by his duties. and by his call
ers, and by his letters, and by the con-
ferences, when he becomes speaker the
demands upon his time will be multi
piled more than hundredfold.
Then every member of the house (355
of them) will daily want to see the
speaker about some little bill, or some
public policy, or some appropriation.
They will follow him to his hotel, and
will watch for him as late as midnight,
in order to get their turn to talk to
him. He must continue to attend to his
correspondence, because he will con-
tinue to be the representative of the
Third congressional district of Iowa,
and his people will expect even more of
him than ever before.
With this prospect before him, and
his vsfe understanding the situation
by experience in the national capital,
it is very apparent that pride in sue
cess is mingled with sorrow, because
his family will not be able to see much
of him.
This letter may be lesson to some
of the wives Of ambitious young men
who are aspiring to congressional l.sn-
ors. You must understand that Col
Henderson is one of the most domestic
men in the land; man who loves his
family devotedly. And yet, like others
who possess superior ability and who
forge to the front in national affairs,
he is busy from the moment his eyes
open in the morning until they close
at night; and when he wields the gavel
of speaker he will be buster than ever,
and all of his time will belong to the
people and their representatives,.
SMITH D. FRY.
B. L. Farjeon, the English novelist,