The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-02-23
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WASHINGTON LETTER.
General Miles Hat-A Ballot Box
For the PresIdent-The Same
Joe Cannon.
Lsneclal Correspondence.l

| In Washington. and as the wearer may
have got II from a secondhand dealer
and is proud to don the garb Of the
great even at the expense of being fun
ny, there is reason to believe that some
halter has n specially designed block
for the Miles hat. 1t Is called "NlileS
derby" and he has not changed the cut
of it in years-in fact, 1t is suggested
that 1t is an entailed hat and may be
worn in future years by some of Miles
progeny. General Miles hat might &c
unnoticed In the Latin quarter of Paris
next to which for QueerneSs in hat fan
cy comes the house of congress. but
right in Washington IT IS called funny
characteristic and unique. The crown
of this construction is much higher
than the ordinary and looks accidental
| In shape. AS though mourning over the
general humorous appearance Of the
soaring crown. band of black sur
rounds ii about as wide as a widOwers
weed. The brlm has a jaunty, graceful
curb that looks rather accidental when
compared with the rest of the stately
structure. On a man differently dress
ed the Miles hat might cut less of fig
ure but on the exquisitely groomed ar
my man 1t is distinctive.
Ballot BOX For the President.
Members Of the California delega-
ton in congress, accompanied by ;. NJ.
Shortridge and Colonel George Stone
bn III
House few days ago and presented to
the president a richly ornamented bal
lot box, the gift Of the California
electors. 1t was used by them in cast
ing the vote Of the state. The box,
which is eight inches square, was con-
structed of California woods, mounted
with solid gold 1t is formed of four
panels Of bevel edged glass, resting
upon n base Of dark redwood. On the
front face of the base Is placed in gold
the great seal Of the state Of CalifOr-
mia. on each side of which is an Ameri-
can flag enameled in cOlOrs. On the
back of the base is a shield inscribed:
Presented to Hon. William McKin-
ley by the Electors, Samuel NJ. Short
ridge, William J.. Barrett. John W.
Ryan, Harold T. Power. William r.
Davis. Christian B. Rode, Frank Nc
GOwan. Warren Il. Porter. James Nc
Fadden."
On one edge of the cover is gold !
band engraved, Ballot Box, Presiden-
tial Electors of California, Jan II,
1901" and on the other, Republican
Majority, Nov. G. 1900, 1910"
The Same Joe Cannon.
When Robert w Harrison came here
a short time ago as the bearer Of the |
electoral vote of Indiana, he went into |
the gallery of the house for a few mo- |
ments. red whiskered man was !
saving the air with his arms and at |
lacking the naval appropriation bill !
with characteristic vigOr.
Great heavens" exclaimed the In /
diana visitor, there is Joe Cannon
Years and years ago. when both VIE
boys. Harrison and Iahnon went to
school togetherdnd were members Of
a mock legislature. Cannon was the
+-ssaHine kind of a speaker then as he is
now," said Harrison. He would fling
his long arms around in the air and
make all sorts Of funny gestures. He
would sputter out his sentences In the
way he does now, and he never had
any trouble In making a speech. Yes,
he is the same Joe Cannon now as he
was 90 years ago"
Closed the Inn.
When Representative Wachter OF
Maryland first came to congress, he
was quite generous with invitations
for his constituents TO join him at
luncheon in the house restaurant. When
q man in search Of a job happened over
from Baltimore, he was always asked
below TO have a bite. Now Mr.. Wach-
ter, being more experienced. does not
deal out his invitations so lavishly as
in other days. A caller INDUCED in sew
eral broad hints. along the luncheon
line the other day, causing Mr.. Wach-
ter to say forcibly, IN do all | can to
get you fellows jobs, but I'll be hanged
If III run a friendly inn for hungry
Office seekers"
IL Was Large. but the Last One.
"Boy, get my hat" called Senator
Cockrell TO a page the other day.
In a few moments the lad returned
with hat
THAT is not mine," said the veteran
statesman.
at is the only one there. sir. There
has been a mix up Senator Clay is
looking for his hat now. l guess this is
his. I'll take it back"
"Did l understand you TO say that
this was the only hat in the cloak
foomY
eyes, sir"
"And Senator Clay has none"
Eyes, sir"
"WeIl, | guess this will do me as well
as any," remarked the senator, as he
made his exit from the chamber. The
hat covered Senator Cockrell's head al
most to the ears but he walked along
unmindful of his appearance. Senator
Clay borrowed a little derby from the
sergeant-at-aruos and went home In a
cab.
Delegate Marcus Aurellus Smith of
Arizona, who Is a member of the next
congress. made the city a brief visit
last week.
"You see," said Mr.. Smith to some
friends, cit always costs me a great
deal more to be in congress than the
amount of my salary. When find that
/ cannot afford to remain in congress
any longer, drop out and get back to
real hard work. Then when / am Ut
tie ahead of the world 1t is a pleasure
to return to congress and meet all my
friends again" CARL SCHOFIELD.