Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-20

O.sS
Washington, d. c., May 29.-Tha leg
islative guerrilla is much in evidence.
There is nothing particularly remarka-
BILE about his personal appearance, but
his personality is comprehensive. He
wears neither slashed jenkins nor trous-
ers of Mexican cut, and he sports
neither belt nor spurs; nor does he
wear q sombrero with silver frnges.
But he has the eye of an EmDecinado
and the dash of a La Rochejacquelain.
Haunting the glades of legislation night
and day, he heads formidable forays at
unexpected moments, sallying from be-
meath the palmettoes like lightning,
fighting desperately at close quarters,
and dashing to cover with his plumber
at the first opportunity. Asynlert as II
fox-terrier. he is fully as vicious. AT
times he ambushes his victims. and
ruthlcssly robs them of their accouter-
ments. Anon he openly assaults them,
battling manfully for victory. Nor Is
he above sneaking into camp at mid
night and carrying off whatever strikes
his fancy. He is ever on the TANKS OF
[ the bulls of Legislation, swapping and
snarling like n prairie wolf and cutting
out the half-grown calves. His hearing
is exceptionally acute, and his sense
of danger almost intuitivc. He lies
under cover for days thirsty and hun
cry, awaiting an opportunity for shot.
The Legislative guerrilla is ever wary
and watchful. He is sleepless in energy,
untiring in movement and electric of
impulse. With all his care, however. he
is sometimes caught mapping Sad is
tho day for him. for he neither expects
nor receives mercy. While somewhat
of political outcast, the legislative
guerrilla is usually loyal to his party.
The fierccst and wickedest are Popu-
lists. They seem to take delight in
torturing their victims. treating Demo-
Gratis with little more considcrat ton
than Republicans.
Probably the most famous of all the
guerrillas in the last Congress was
Jerry Simpson. There was no diplo-
macy about Jerry. He shot from under
the fronds ut all hours, whether the
4 supplies were guarded or unguarded.
Ills Skill and dcXterity were aclnowl-
edged by all. When Jerry appeared on
a the field everybody was on the Qui vivc,
5for 1t was bound TO be a fight worth
3secing Indeed. the Kansas jayhawker
was so bold that he frequently made a
Hdash ut the Speaker himself, occa-
Hsionally getting away with some of his
3para phernalia. He dashed from cover
Hlast year toward the close of the short
session. and TILTED straight for the
#ln Inc cnair, and in q mood not placid
Terry was in fine trim. and was put to
lis trumps TO avoid striking Il foul par
a lainentary blow. He had been ordered
s % his seat once or twice for trespassing
8 III the grass. In very suavc way he
s. lnally said that the presiding officer
#'l the House reminded him of the story
= pr great Chinese philosopher who was
asked this question by the Emperor
n lara Kwang: Yang Foo, YOU have
ii wed ninety years. In that time YOU
81 must nave accumulated great deal of
- knowledge. What. in your opinion, Is
q he greatest enemy to the govern
ncnt?''
THE rat in the statue" was the re-
4 lily.
S. Jerrys eyes were twinkling. and the
ri peaker took n firm grip of the gavel.
IL eady to rap him down If he transcend
IN Il the bounds.
The rat In the statue?" the Emperor
n epeatod. What do you mean?"
= You know that we build statues to
s ur ancestors" the philosopher an
All wercd. They are made out OF wood
q nd are hollow. When Il rat gets inside
FL on can't put the statue in the water
t# nd drown him out. because it is glued
& ogether and would come apart. You
&&an't smoke him out, because it would
# isiigure the image. The statue being
*8acred. the rat is safe.
~ NOV that is the trouble with your
iules." Jerry continued. There is a
8#at inside OF them, and they are so sa-
#red that You can neither drown nor
IN noke him out The Speaker, by the
Il over to appoint committees. becomes
Ii lie sacred thing. because so many ex-
Meet good places there that they all
~ I'll down and Worship
s# MI Reed laid down the gavel with
4ie faintest suspicion Of q smile, while
.rry's conferecs awoke the echoes of
fsle House.
HI Many encomiums have been passed
3%l the personal appearance of James
H arnilTon Lewis. All were we'll de-
- rived. and none did him full Justice
&1 s a legislative guerrilla he was really
~ thing of beauty and a joy forever"
G3 wore Il hussar jacket, Respondent
l 18th gold lace and other military fun
cry. its cXnuisitcly trimmed sleeve
~ vinging abaft his left shoulder. His
umed cap was an Oriental dream, and
S tiSht-ftting brooches and ton boots
98 iracles of loneliness. Gold SPURS
atched his jcwelad fingers, and with
e real Sancy diamond flashing above
~ IS brow he would have recalled the
|6 VS. OF Charles the Bold. No more
$ shinS cavalier ever turned Cuer-
4 In.
&&# 'le UeBan MS predatory warfare forty
aSht days after he was sworn in as 4
representative. 1t was in the extra SEES
8)n beginning March 15 1897. The
S ngley bill had passed the House with
a word from Lewis. He did not
~ tie for any candidate for Speaker. and
M ide from his graceful tout ensemble
IS entirely unknown in legislation.
.rly in May. however. he surprised
House by coup d'etat Speaker
led had withheld the appointments of
$s committees and the House was prac-
~ ally doing no business. excent hv