Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-09

at the head of the main aisle and
awaits recognition. When accorded, he
appears surprised and totally unpre-
pared. He acts as though it had come
much sooner than he had any right TO
reasonably expect He twangs his
words and talks as slow, IL not slower
than Mark Twain Occasionally he
seems TO be mt q loss for word ana
turns his eyes toward the glass ceiling
as though utterly balled. His listeners
have an intutiye impulse to suggest II
word or do something to help him out
HIS uNSTuDIED WIT.
John apparently wallows helplcssly
IN the slough of his photography. Sud
denly, however, he makes supreme
effort. lands on his feet in great shape
and utters Il Sentence so excessively
droll and grotesque. that the hall rings
Win laughter and applause. His wit
is never on tap. but comes apparently
OF its own accord and despite his ef-
forts to prevent ii. 1t is unstudied. if
not accidental. Hardly is ii uttered be-
lore John seems 10 be wrestling with
the sentence that is to follow it, I;y
THIS time the House is in a perfect
uproar. Half The members throw them
selves back in their chairs in parox-
ysm OF laughter, While others clap
their hands in ecstasy. In good trim,
Allen never becomes tircsome. He
never made but one faux pas in the
iiOuot' IT WIS at IL night session. He
tired TO illustrate Il story by singing
and made n dreadful failure. He lacks
musical talent. and he has the voice
OF night heron. Indeed, it is said that
he cannot tell the Star Spangled Ban
ner from the Dead March," in Saul.
III is question whether the hunlor of
Aliens speeches does not impair theil.
efficiency. Aside from their piduancy.
the line of argument is unusually
strong, and would attract attention
anywhere. Sunset Cox learned late in
lie that his wit was detrimental to
his public career ana possibly the Mis-
slssipDi statesman is learning a SINH
laf lesson. Undoubtedly the most eff
lectiNe speech ever made by him was
mat opposing the claim of Josiah Pat
lerson to the scat held by f.. W. Car
mack, OF Memphis, in the Fiftv-nfth
Congress: yet it contained more stories
than was told by him in the entire
session OF the Forty ninth Congress
Patterson, 10 the surprise of every
iheinbcr OF the House, was sent back
10 Memphis. bitterly disappointed. II
must be remembered, however. that
carinack himself was q potent factor
In achieving this result His plea WAS
exceptionally brilliant ana expressive.
iepicte Ill inVective and sarcasm. 1t
has already virtually placed him in
the tnltcd States Senate.
TOOK HiS SEAT IN 1855
iohn Allen first took his seat in the
House in December. 1855 John G.. Car
lisle was Sneaker. The only other
'tepresen Natives Of that Congress in
the present House who have escaped
jhe destroying angel of politics are
Bnuteiie. OF Maine; Cannon. of III
nois; Catchings, Of Mississippi: Cros-
ycnor, of Ohio. Henderson and Hep
burn. of Iowa. iIitt aud Hopkins. OF
Illinois: Ketchum. OF New York: Ian
ham, of Texas: McRac Of Arkansas,
Muller and Payne, Of Now York. and
Richardson. of Tennessee. Alien was
known in the Mississippi delegation
as PRIVATE John ana has never been
accused OF cutting n great swath in ;be
held of politics. He was regarded as
quiet sort OF fellow, with 4 modest turn
Of mind. and a keen appreciation OF The
ridiculous 1t WAS not until Nav IL
1855. that Mr.. Allen gave hem a taste
of his quality. on that day an elfort
was made TO give four employees OF
the former House an extra months
pay as a gratuity. y rafting discus
sion followed. in which Samuel j