The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1901-08-07
CHAMP CLARK STORIES
Gathered In and About the
Halls Of Congress.

sone of Tom Reeds Witty Sayings.
I His First Mee3~g With 5ourke
cockran-concerni a New Suit Of
cIothes-Senator Fettus and Repre-
sentative Grow-Dr. MarshaIi's Ra-
zor-A Coored Mans Opinion OF
Joe Blackburn.
+ copyright, 1901, by Champ Clark
7 really do not know whether all the
stories told of Hon. Thomas Bracket
Reed are true or not or whether he
ever uttered one-half the bright and
biting mots attributed to him. 1t is
said that after Abraham Lincoln's
fame as a story teller was established
he was made to father a great many
anecdotes Of which he never heard. 1t
may be the same way with the eX-
speaker. One thing l do know, how
ever-whenever a coterie OF congress
men or other habitues Of the capitol
get to telling stories it generally hap
pens that one or more Of Mr.. Reeds
sayings are quoted.
Reed and Bourke Cochran.
Judge Dorsey W. Shackleford, "Sil-
yer Dick" BANDS successor, says:
'When Bourke Cochran first came to
congress, he had never been introduced
to Mr.. Reed, but when he first met the
GEAR the Tammany orator held out his
hand and said cheerfully:
"'How are you, Tom| whereupon
Mr.. Reed, with great affability and
whitening sarcasm, replied:
"'Why all this formality, Mr.. Cock
ran? Why not call me Tommy"
The fact remains, however, that, no
matter how the acquaintance between
those two illustrious men began, they
became not only friends, but chums.
Reeds New Clothes.
Judge Shackleford proceeded: zone
morning Mr.. Reed came to the capitol
rugged up in fine suit of new clothes
and a flaming necktie, so red that it
made ones eyes blink to look upon it.
The elevator conductor with whom Mr..
Reed assembled to the house floor, MOTTO
ing the speakers new clothes and de-
string to be pleasant, said:
"'That is a very handsome new suit
you have on, Mr.. Speaker
"Ya-asr drawled the imam from
Maine" I bought it for your special
delectation. ] am glad you like it!
Two Grand Old Men.
The senate numbers among its mem
bership a remarkable old man, General
Edmund Winston Pettus of Alabama;
the house another, Hon. Galusha A
Grow, congressman at large from
Pennsylvania. l congratulate myself
that | am on friendly footing Will
both these venerable statesmen. July
6 General Pettus will be so. He began
his senatorial and congressional career
at the age of 76 Aug. 81 Mr.. Grow
will be IS. He was first elected to
congress in 1S50-a half century ago
and was then the youngest man in the
house. He served u years and was
speaker in 1862 He remained out OF
congress 80 years, coming back at a
special election in 1894 He is now the
Oldest man in the house. Parenthetical
ly it may be of interest to state that
the late Judge William S. Holman OF
Indiana, the farfamed watchdog OF
the treasury, served longer than any
other man has ever served in the
house. He died with harness on in the
thirty first year Of service, but not con
tinuous service. He was nominated
for congress 90 times. Had he beer
elected every time he was nominated
and had he lived his last term out, he
would have been a congressman two
score years. But, owing to the vicissi
tudes of Indiana politics, the judge
failed to be elected four times between