Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-03

TT Is curious to watch the kindergarten
stage of a people just learning to use po-
litical freedom and putting into operation
the machinery of legislative government
remarked Civil Service Commissioner Ro-
denberg to a Star reporter on his recent re-
turn from the Hawaiian Islands. THE Ha-
waiian legislature is very amusing body
In some respects There are native men,
bers and American members. Translators
of both languages are employed. but the
original remarks of members will be de-
livered in first one language and then the
other
The native members regard their Of
fetal positions with great solemnty, and
their comprehension Of the power OF the
legislature is sometimes most ridiculously
illustrated by the bills which they intro
duce. Not long ago a bill was introduced
by native member to repeal all the laws
of the United States which might apply to
the islands. Following this was a measure
which provided that any person might be-
come a licensed physician simply upon pay
ment of the fee for securing the license.
AS a travesty on these bills a young Amer
lean member one day introduced bill with
all solemnity to prevent the waves from
beating on a certain portion Of the beach
which was used for bathing. The august
while the measure was being read, and it
did not occur to it that 1t was not a mat
ter for its earnest consideration.
Postmaster General Smith was visited at
his office by a photographer a few days
ago and after his picture had been taken
and a number Of prints had been run off 1t
was discovered that the photographer had
unwittingiy furnished the head Of the Post
Gffica rtp will
he had before had a smooth face. except
ing the possession of mustache. The ad-
dtion of the goatee made a remarkable
change in the Postmaster Generals coun-
tenance, and he has been given the unusual
opportunity Of seeing just how he would
look with this hirSute appendage before
undertaking to provide il by the natural
and more usual method. The trick Of the
camera which produced this Illusion is
only discovered by a careful examination
of the photograph. When so examined it
is seen that the knob on the back Of
chair in corner Of the Postmaster Cen
erals office protruded in the picture from
the chin of the subject photographed in
such way as to form a goatee in so nat
ural a way that those not well acquainted
with Mr. Smith would never suspect ina. it
was polished wood and not hair. If this
picture survives the lapse OF time 1t NAV
give rise in another generation to a discus
sion whether the Postmaster General did or
oid hol wear d gOatee.
X X
A number of lawyers and others having
business In the vicinity Of the city hall
noted an incident the other day of at least
passing interest. Attorney Charles C. Cole,
who recently rendered his resignation as
associate justice of the Supreme Court of
the District of Columbia was walking on
one of the paths of Judiciary Square lead
Ing to the court house. His tread was
measured, his manner dignifed and his
head bowed as though in deep thought.
He carried several law volumes. The indi-
cations Were that the former judge was
very much concerned with some knotty
legal problem.
Suddenly. however, he halted and turned
to an aged colored laborer who was now
Ing the grass of the park. After word or
two the law books were exchanged for the
scythe. and, apparently unconscious of his
surroundings. the usually staid exponent of
the law began to WELD the implement with
the skill and vigor of an expert. The green
blades were ieSeled with surprising rapid
ity. After about five minutes devoted to
this diversion Justice Cole silently handed
back the scythe, obtained his books from
the smiling laborer and resumed his pre-
occupied air. and. Incidentally his walk
toward the city hall. oblivous of the fact
that he had afforded entertainment for
several of his friends.
X \ \
Many and diversified are the ways of ad-
verttsement. great many persons hav-
ing something to SELL barter rent or ex-
change. and not being disposed to place
their wares or other property involved be-
fore the public eye in the more legitimate
channel OF newspaper advertising adopt
some rather peculiar methods of securing
publicity for their purposes. Some of these
methods are odd-many are freakish-
others are commonplace. while still others
are sensational. But a clerk in the treas
ury has found a way of advertising a GER
tain thing he wants disposed of in a manner
that has heretofore not been attempted In
any OF the government departments, that
Is. SO far as can be learned. In one of the