Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-08-10
KICKERs OF OLD.

writer In the Philadelphia Times
has hunted up some items about one Of
the ancestors of Edgar S. Maclay, the
gentleman who has made himself ia
nous as a writer Of naval history and
a critic OF Admiral Schley. The an
cestOr In question seems to have been
chosen In 1855 as one Of the represent
atives Of Pennsylvania to the U, s, Sem
ate In this position he distinguished
himself according to the Times histor-
ian. as n most vigorous kicker. He was
dissatisfied with everything and every
body including the American Constl-
tuition and George Washington. With
out any conjunction he hurled vile
epithets at his colleagues and ridlculed
honest and patriotic folks. He kept
journal, and this furnishes the Times
with evidence Of his disposition.
The following is quoted from the Phil
adelphia Times:
Another time he accused Washing
ton Of wishing, to tread on the necks
of the Senate over some Indian
treaty; but his bltterest words came
out in December, 1890, while the SEN
ate was still sitting in New York CITY.
The President at that time--as we'll as
later. when the capital was removed
10 Philadelphia-hel ceremonial le-
wees These Maclay denounced as
trappIngs Of royalty, and, In an angry
flt said: Republicans are borne down
by fashion and fear Of being charged
with a want of resrect TO General
Washington. II there Is treason In
the wish | would retract IL; but /
would TO God this same General Wash
lngton were In heaven We then would
not have him brought forward as the
constant cover 20 every unconstltu-
tlonal and irrepublcan act
For the Vice President, John Adams,
Maclay has no kindlieT obserYa tons.
On one occasion he says:
81 have really often looked at him
with surprise mingled with contempt
when he Is In the chair and no busi-
ness before the Senate, Instead OF
that sedate, easy air which | would
have him possess he will look on one
side then on the other, then down on
the knees Of his breeches, then dimple
his vissage with the most silly kind
Of half smile which | cannot well eX-
press IN English. God forgive me Tor
the Vile thought-but / cannot help
thinking OF monkey Just put into
breeches.'
Again, while Maclay was addressing
the house, the Pennsylvania senst tor
caught Mr.. Adams, the presiding OIL
Ger, snuffing up his nose, kicking his
heels and talking and staggering with
OTIS
"The Constitution Of the United
States he feared would turn out the
vllest OF all traps that ever were set 10
ensnare the freedom Of an unsuspect-
ing people At. first friendly with his
colleague, Mr., Morris, he soon came
to distrust him, and abused him round
ly, as he did nearly every one else.
When the time came TO move TO Phil
adelphia. he spoke Of the strange lnfat-
uation Of self-love' among the people Of
the city. TO tell the truth he said. !
know no such unsoclal city as Philadel-
phia. The gloomy severity Of the Qua
kers has prescribed all fashionable
dress and amusement Denying them
selves these enioyments they, as much
as in them lies, endeavor 10 deprive
others Of them also; while. at the same
time, there are not In the world more
scornful or insolent characters than the
wealthy among them
This may partly explain the vlrulence
Of the attack Of the present Maclay up
on the Admiral, but does It excuse It?
An apple may not be responsible for
not falling far from the tree that bore
II, but in human affairs there is no law
OF gravitation that compels child TO
repeat the mistakes Of parents. II
there were, there could be no progress
in what is good The perfectblity Of
the human race would then be merely
a dream.