The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-01-09
CAPITOL CHAT.

This was the soliCitous observation made
by Representative John s. Rhes, Of Ken
lucky.
DO. you think it a specially hazardous
undertaking.
Il don't intend any harm TO the young
man, for he Is a friend of mine" replied
the Kentuckian He volunteered for
the work with complete knowledge Of the
disastrous results that have followed all
previous efforts 10 secure a likeness OF
myself"
This bit of history about Representative
Rhea is very unique and constitutes the
basis OF a reputation at home that some
peculiar influence precludes the pOssibil-
ity OF obtaining photograph OF him AT
present there IS 10 picture OF Mr. Rhel
in existence. Several unsuccessful trials
have been made, and Mr.. Rhea was entire
ly friendly to the experiment. Some years
ago in Louisville a friend attempted 10
photograph him, and in the midst of the
proceedings a conlagratlOn OF very seri-
Gus character started in the building. so
that Mr.. Rhea ana the photographer ha1
some difficulty in escaping with their lives.
Again. not long afterward, photographer
OF daring in Frankfort undertook to sc,
a likeness of Mr. Rhea. He succeeded in
making the negative, but before the piet-
ure was printed the photographer was
carrying the glass from one part of the
building to another, when he stubbed his
foot and fell. not only breaking the mega
tive into a thousand pieces, but badly
fracturing his nose.
81 am not a candidate for governor and
under no circumstances will accept the
Democratic nomination next year." said
Representative Ben F. Caldwell, of Hi
nois, who is one Of the richest men of
the House of Representatives, and who
Is credited with having an annual income
as large as the salary of the President OF
the United States. Il have been urged 10
accept the nomination, as have other Illi-
nois Democrats in the House, but / do not
want it,
Representative Caldwell was born on a
farm in moderate circumstances, but has
made his fortune out of farming property
and banking in the agricultural section of
Illinois. He represents practically the
same district that sent William NJ. Sprin-
er 20 the House continuously for twenty
years. There was a change of a few cOun-
ties when the State was redistricted-
representative hoileO DOyl rIeST, vi
West Virginia, placed one foot on a chair
in the Republican cloak room yesterday
and leaned an elbow on his knee. The
tall, shiny silk hat on his diminutive stat
ure lurched slightly to one side. There
is war of sentiment in West Virginia, -
he observed.
What is the cause of it?''
I'VE are trying to divide the State into
tr4~a Ifr1sa 81 4 ,,ts. &InN
sitiou we are arrayed in two camps.
Representative Dayton and myself are
for it. Our United States district judge,
John J. jackson, jr., is now seventy-odd
years old, a very able jurist, and an ap-
pointee of President Lincoln. He aspires
TO preside over the Federal Court in the
district of West Virginia during his life.
But" added Judge Freer, ''the bust
ness of the court is now much in arrears,
and the demand for another district is
great. We are encounterins opposition
from some of the lawyers also, who
would like to know the name of the man
to be appointed as judge, if another dis
trict is carved out Of the present district,
comprising all of the State"
They are accusing you and Mr.. Day
ton of having judicial aspirations?"
mat the ILldLSt Ull II q lie, re-
sponded Judge Freer, with frankness, but
utmost goOd-natUro. Dayton and I
would be in the old district, anyway. and
not eligible for candidates Then l left
the bench to come to Congress, and I am
not sick of my bargain"
Col. Richard J. Bright has made such an
efficient Sergeant-at-arms of the Senate;
the office has been so wholly free from
scandal since he was placed IN charge of
1t; he is 50 admirably qualified for its du-
ties on account of his personal acquaint-
ance and relationship with public men,
that the Senators generally in private
conversation, do not hesitate TO express
the opinion that ii would not be the part
of wisdom to make a change. Col. Bright
is distinctively persona grata to the Sen
ate, as well as to all visitors at the north
end Of the Capitol. He is always atten-
tive, tactful, and obliging, and is recog-
nized as pre-eminently fitted for Ser
geant-at-arms- He has been an ideal oc-
cupant of the office. BY none is this fact
az preciated so fully as the Senators them
selves, and it is not surprising, therefore,
that they have given no encouragement
to the movement TO change the incumbent
for political reasons, solely and wholly.
'I think Justice Brewer must have a
high regard for the city of Detroit" OBJ
served Representative Henry c. Smith,
who is the new Smith in Congress from
Michigan. Il gave myself the pleasure
Sunday evening of listening to the judges
most interesting and scholarly address on
The Twentieth Century from Another
View Point He charmed me with his
eloquent voice, but / notice that the news
papers said nothing OF his remark that
the climax and the eonsummation OF the
grandeur of the coming century would be
when the magnificent city of Detroit
should rise 10 the occasion and annex the
Dominion of Canada.
Justice Brewer comes out our way fish
ing every summer" continued the MichI-
gander, and he undoubtedly knew where
Of he was speaking There's a place on
Starr Island. in the st. Clair, where he
recuperates himself from the exhaustion
OF his arduous legal labors. Justice Field
used to accompany him TO Starr Island.
and there the two have had many an en-
joyable outing"
'T am just sitting in my seat and look
ing on to find out how the other fellows
run things. That's my programme for
some time to come" said Representative
Louis W. Emerson, Of Warrensburg, n.
Y. who is a small, smooth-faced man. de-
lightfully direct in his conversation, and
looks as though he were an interesting
and entertaining character.
I've a few little bills that have been
introduced and referred 10 committees. I
don't know but what they will sleep the
sleep Of the just AS TO that we shall see. -
There is a good deal OF Warrensburg in
Representative Emerson's career. He was
born in Warrensburg and was educated al
Warrensburg Academy. Ever since 1878.
when he was twenty-one years old, he has
been engaged in banking and manufactur-
ing, and re doesn't look a day older than
twenty-one now. The people of Warrens-
burg and vicinity evidently think pretty
well OF Mr. Emerson. for they elected him
20 the New York State senate for two
terms and then elected him 10 the House
OF Representatives practically without op-
position. A man named HOag pOIIed ss3
votes Mr. Emerson, OF Warrensburg, had
all the rest