The age-herald., 1902-05-10
Washington Day by Day

first six of these May days have proved to be a harvest time of disease and death amongst men of distinction. Arch bishop Corrigan, the greatest Catholic of this country, dies at 61-before his tin e. Not within twenty years, with the single exception of President Mckinley, has the death Of any American filled so large q space in the public mind and the public journals as the passing away of this illustrious archbishop. The sorrow Is not confined to the Catholic church. 1t is felt by every enlightened person in our country; for no man has done so much individually for the moral advancement and the spiritual welfare of our people. His place in the hierarchy will be filled esteem and affection will remain vacant; none may occupy that proud position.
 The death of Bret Harte removes the first of all American story-tellers Meas ured by the standard of his genius all the others in our time are mere babblers of babblement. The distinction achieved by Bret Harte embraced the world. No man who told stories in English, since Dickens death. enjoyed so wide a repu- tation or such great honor from the multitudes of the English-speaking world.
 For more than twenty years MT. Harte has dwelt in England. About 1879 he was sent as United States consul to Glas- gow, but he spent very little of his time at his pest of duty The duties of the consular service were not to his liking, and he being genius the department of state did not hold him to strict account ability. Therefore. Mir. Harte dwelt most of the time In London. where he became a great favorite in the higher society class and more intellectual clubs.
 By way of Illustrating Mir. Harte's high personal position in the literary and so- ciety circles of London, 1t may be stated that upon one occasion, in 1SS6 I met at country house one of the most distin- guished literary leaders of England. Nat urally our talk drifted to American au- thors, and this man, having in view the liberal policy of Engls nd towards it's lit- erary men, declared to me emphatically that his conviction was that duty America owed to the world was to give Bret Harte a pension sufficient to keep him from all necessity of work, in order that his distinguished personality and his unexampled charm might adcrn the literary circles of the old world. When this man was informed that there was no lawful way whereby such pension could be granted to MT. Harte, he re- marked somewhat In disgust, That is one of the faults of so-called republics"
 In 1883 Assistant Secretary of State Adee was making cycling tour of Scot land; Mir Adee having been accustomed now for more than twenty years to make annually such a tour of some European country. Arrived in Glasgow, he called to pay his respects to Consul Harte. He was received by the vice consul, MT. Gib- son, charming Scotchman, of whom MT. Harte and innumerabe other Americans had become very fond. Not recognizing MT. Adee, Vice Consul Gibson said:
 ''Oh, you wish to see MT. Harte"
 Yes" said MT. Agee, 'I would like to speak to the consul personally"
 My dear sir exclaimed the vice con sul, You'll have to go to London to sec the consul. He doesn't stay here; hasn't been here in six months
 You surprise me very much" re- marked Mir Adee, and drawing his visit ing card from his card case, he said to the vice consul:
 Will you kindly give my card to Con- sul Harte when he returns?"
 The story goes that when Vice Consul Gibson read the name on the card he straightway tainted.
 During these same first six days of May three members of Congress have passed away-Amos Cummings, perhaps person. ally the best-loved member of the House. MT. Otey of Virginia and MT Salmon of New Jersey. Two other members are be- lieved to be fatally il--Mr. Babcock of Wisconsin, one of the ablest men of the Republican majority and one of the best men In the public service: and MT. Shep- herd, Democrat of Texas. While Amos Cummings was well known all over America, and was personally beloved by perhaps millions of his countrymen, MT Otey and MT. Salmon. being compara- lively new members of the House, were not so we'll known, although they were held in the highest esteem, and their death has caused very great regret amongst their colleagues
 Mir. Otey was rather a fat man with q stentorian voice, and much given to the anecdote habit; most genial and happy man withaL. MT. Salmon was younger man, and perhaps won even more friends than MT Otey with all his geniality. If you would see MT. Salmon in life, that is to say, see MT. Salmon's other self, you have but to look upon Colonel Milton Paul LeGrand, the distinguished banker of Montgomery. It's not conceivable that any two men ever more perfectly resem- bled one another than Congressman Sal mon and Colonel LeGrand. Even the mole on the left cheek of each was identical The likeness of one to the other was most extraordinary.
 A certain Alabama newspaper received here prints request from some man resi- dent at Galloway Mines that the news paper inform Senator Pettus that 5000 laboring men of Alabama are resolved to prevent the Senator's reelection. The newspaper in question, apparently speak ing for itself declares that Senator Pet