The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-13
PRIVATE JOHN ALLEN
,,rR CONGRESSMAN FROM MIS-
W. sIssIPPI IN SAVANNAH.
OF BIG MEN.
-, ALLEN TELLS THEM IN HIS AC-
'''' CUsToMED STYLE.

.,,a Guest of Hon. F. G.. duBig-
Of whose Residence Senator
c,,v was Also Stopping-somc-
,,:,,o- of the Personality That Has
Him Friends From East to
,,-a.+-Nevspaper Interviews and
Mathod of Their Construction.
anon Is out of Politics, But
-rode no Promises-SenatOr
c1o~,s idea of Succession.
,,-,,.a+a John Allen. sometime-quite
tio,e representative in Congress
Fso,, the state of Missippi, at present
- of the st. Louis Exposition
l,...r,ission. ever and always prince OF
- fellows and man of the world, albeit
w. halls from Tupelo, is in Savannah.
ue reached the city yesterday morning
= euest of Hon. F. G. duBignon.
a. Mr. duBignon's hospitable home Mr.
~, found Senator Steve Clay Of Geor-
=. 1,rovn by him of old, when and be-
yort the time they were in Congress to-
ostber. Mr.. duBignon's friendship with
- had it's beginning at no later date,
.a the foregathering Of these three was
very delightful incident to all.
w Allen was seen last night by a
,ror,ir, News reporter, and for half an
,o,r ar more talked in a vein altogether
Characteristic of the man. His is most
attractive and winning personality, and
M long acquaintance with him is neces-
cary, 10 understand the feelings that
4 ,,rononted the unprecedented expressions
4 If regret and good will, from those of
q every shade of political belief, that mark
n e5 the closing scene of his career in the
Il House.
& well" said Mr.. Allen, II don't know
I that I have anything particularly inter
estins to say. I am reminded just now
Z of an old fellow, with whom served sew
s. 4ral terms in Congress, to whom the white
/ glare of publicity was the one thing al
n ways needful and newspaper praise like
n the SAVIOR of sweet ointments in his nos
4 trs.
He was on good terms with the news
paper men in Washington and always
most accommodating in furnishing them
with news for the papers that circulated
in his state. In the news that he fur
nished. it may be added, there was usual
" some incidental reference to himself.
one day. and one of the boys stopped him.
Governor, isn't there something new
you can tell me-?
'''WelI, yes. was the reply. there is
something You may say that you met
me coming out of the Office of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury-of course, you
didn't, but that doesn't make any diff
ference, and that I told you that I had
Just had an hours conversation with the
o. 7 I,.,f y,afS e
an incident. and that while I was not
willing to disclose the nature Of the con-
ference, you are authorized to say that
the result was entirely satisfactory
Il sometimes fear" said Mr.. Allen,
sadly, that there are a good many news
n paper interviews that are constructed on
the same plan"
He said that his retirement from poll
tics. so far as his belief in the matter ex-
tended. was permanent, and that he never
intended to enter the arena again.
However" he added, Il have not made
anybody. not even myself, any prom
NJ ises." What time he can spare from the
performance of his duties as member
M of the St. Louis Exposition Commission,
IA he intends to devote to the practice of
law.
But" he said. quizzically, ct don't
know whether I can practice law or not
have been so long in Congress, 1 am
afraid my grasp Of the subject has be-
come trife slack. Not dong ago / was
in New York, and dropped in 10 see ex-
Speaker Reed. He was telling me about
case which he had recently tried, which
involved good many facts. Well ]
said I'm pretty sure you'll be able tc
handle the facts all right; but how about
the law" Then l told him this story. II
Is one Senator Vance used to tell on him
self.
Half dozen men, of one of the lit.
ME country towns in North Carolina, were
NJ sitting about the stove in the store, as
men in country towns will, and another
FL haolt of theirs. discussing the abilities
Id OF the members of the bar of the circuit
IA hacn member of the circle had his fav.
orlte lawyer, and each of them had grown
|H eloquent in his favorites praise. One
/" pinned his faith to Judge Smith, white
10 another the persuasive eloquence d
'ol Jones had recommended Itself highly
wen gentlemen an applefaced indi-
En- Nldual over in the corner finally put in
ye may say what We like, but I'd trus
Aeo vance as fur as any of en- if W
FL JFs let him pass the jedge.'
FL That's the fear that troubles me.
I'd SAD Mr.. Allen. II believe I would be al
Ell ilght with the jury, if / could lust ee
past the Judge"
along about this time the party wa:
|N IuOIeased by the addition of Senator CLAY
suo Mr.. duBignon. Senator Clay was il
nlsn good humor. too good, Mr.. Aller
thought. for from the depths of his mem
Dry ne dug up a story that he said ough
10 ne told. Though it was on him. Sen
~.or Clay agreed, laughingly, to the mar
III gu know said Mr.. Allen, steve,
~ FIem are pretty good friends, ant
I've 10y We got it fixed up that when Stew,
eshS' Elem is to succeed him in tn,
aate. | remember when the schem
a9 us birth. It was in Washington
En- ~ senator Clay had been deliverin,
t I'm OF beautiful little idyll upoi
49, YARNS of home. He had alread,
So u lem was to succeed him IN tn,
49, tnen he added that when he re
r.sase a ne was going home, where h
life '"e last ten years OF hi
"a . row old are you now, steve?' ask
Ell I'm" nm He told me-46, last birthday.
be sretty healthy, are you not?' Quite
e5-sIu u. country boy-never had dissipat
|W always ObCprxra1