The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-02-10
/ WASHINGTON LETTER.
One of the Capitals Interesting Men
1.-TWO Chairs Gaines" - May
Adopt Metric system.
lSneclnl Correspondence.l

Especial Correspondence
One Of the most interesting charac.
tiers about Washington and one Of the
most highly respected Of the 100000
officials in the employ of Uncle Sam is
Captain Charles Loetller, the cOaiiden-
tial messenger and dOOrkeeper of the
president. Captain LOefller probably
knows more famous men than any 9th
er person living. because he has stood
at the entrance Of the executive cham.
Der for over 80 years, and everybody
who has entered the presence Of the
chief magistrate of this nation during
all that time has handed card t. him.
Captain Loefller Is native of Germa-
ny, but he came to this country when
child and enlisted In the army as sooD
as he became Of age. He rose from the
ranks TO be a sergeant before the civil
war broke out and was detailed for
confidential duty with Secretary Stan
ton at the war department During
the entire war he served as a messen-
ger and bearer Of dispatches for Presi-
dent Lincoln and Secretary Stanton to
the commanding generals In the field
and the day after the assassination OF
President Lincoln was detailed as a
bodyguard for Secretary Stanton. That
was not a very pleasant duty just at
that time.
The day after the Inauguration Of
General Grant Captain Loefiier was de-
tailed as an orderly for the president
and took charge of the door at which
he now stands. He has been there ever
since. When his term Of enlistment
in the army expired. he was placed up
on the roll Of civil employees ar the
White House, aud his name remained
there until last year, when President
Mckinley nominated him TO the senate
as a captain in the United States army,
and he was unanimously confirmed by
the senate.
s'Two Chairs Gaines"
There IS a man who is a member Of
the Tennessee congressional delegation
whose name Is John Wesley Gaines.
He is known to his friends as 1.-TWO
Chairs Gaines" He gained this so
briquet as a result of an interview with
former Governor Taylor of Tennessee.
One day, It Is said, Mr. Gaines had oc-
casion to call at the executive office Of
the Tennessee governor, and finding
nobody to present him he entered the
inner office and introduced himself.
my name is Gaines, governor" said
the Tennessee congressman.
How'd We do" replied the governor.
"You used to know my father
"Ahl Yes, yes; have a chair, Mr..
Gaines" was the governors reply as
he continued TO peruse some official
documents.
"But l am Gaines. Congressman
Gaines" persisted the congressman, in
a vain effort to make an impression Of
his presence on the chief executive Of
the state.
"Ahi indeed. indeed; have two
chairs"
The repetition Of this story has earn
ed for Mr.. Gaines the peculiar title Of
1.-TWO Chairs Gaines"
May Adopt Metric system.
Representative Southland Of Ohio is q
believer In the metric system Of
weights and measures. There is a bill
before our committee on coinage,
weights and measures" said he, ito
adopt the metric system after July l,
ace In all the departments Of the gov
eminent for the transaction Of all bust
ness requiring the use Of weights and
measurements 1t was introduced by
Representative Littauer Of New York
and l believe will be favorably report
ed from the committee. A favorable
report was made on a similar bill in the
last congress.
81 wish that the English language
could be applied to the various terms
used IN the metric system" explained
Mr.. Southland. "That would make It
far more satisfactory to me, but, as 1t
does not seem possible, suppose we
shall have to adopt the system as 1t Is
and with the terms of denotation al
ready fixed In the public mind"
The Two Webster Monuments.
It Is not every statesman, however
great, who can boast two monuments
In Washington. Daniel Webster is the
exception to the rule, and there Is
something Of a story back Of 1t all.
Senator Lodge Of Massachusetts laid
great stress in bis grafton at the I'M
yelling exercises Of the new statue up
on the way Webster's name is linked
with the history Of Massachusetts,.
Massachusetts has always resented the
action of New Hampshire in putting
Webster in Statuary hall as son of
that state. He was born in New Hamp-
shire, but as his fame is associated
with Massachusetts the sons Of that
state have always contended that the
great Webster should stand for Massa-
chusetts. Each state is allowed to put
the statues of two men In Statuary
hall, which is In the capitol. Now there
Is another monument to Webster In the
city.
Architect Taylor's Plan.
Supervising Architect Taylor of the
treasury department has prepared a
scheme for identifying the city Of
Washington. Immediately opposite the
executive mansion is a fine park-La-
sayette square. The block lying to the
east of that square Is now occupied by
q theater, built on the site Of the old
Seward Blaine mansion; the Dolly
Madison house, now occupied by the
Cosmos club; the Riggs National bank,
d hotel and a few buildings Of minor
Importance. On the corner nearest the