The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-01-19
.ur DEBONAIR STATESMAN.
Glory OF HIS TRIALS AND TRIB-
ULATIONS.

,atbies Have Got Him Into
ubIe-He Sometimes Gets
o...r. Into Trouble by Not Re-
.;nr Assistance to Those Who
Not know What They Want.
=, TO Be Found in Both Wings
the CapitOI-To the Demand
Yon Him There Is No Limit.
Wellington, Jan. II. Interesting
hardly enhancing is the
NJ the debonair statesman.
w.. essence of courtesy and affability,
lis always complacent and accommo-
,o+ng Usually he is a universal fav-
wife His sympathies once thoroughly
.one.d his heart and pocket are open.
when asked to use his influence toward
curing a pension for the widow of
some army comrade, he willingly as
..,te Nor does he ever refuse to visit
~. auditors Office in quest of claim
.,,oiting action by the Treasury De-
.,r+rent Hours of his time are de-
,.oted TO the personal requests of his
constituents and others, but his fail
,rss ia accomplish what is wanted cut
~,rober his successes, unless he is in
ethical sympathy with the administra-
.;or If he secures a pension for an
ornlicant his troubles increase. The
Fact is noised abroad. The recipient
NAV possibly send him a letter of
thanks but he is sure to advise other
ornljcants to run down the man who
has done so much for him. The more
tensions secured the greater the de-
rand His apartments are daily be-
eieped by persons who have no claim
mon him whatever. Not one in ten
ie a resident of the district he repre-
sents and in seven out of eight cases
thew are entire strangers. Occasion
sIIv they bring letters of introduction
from representative men in his district,
hut the most of the letters come from
nersons who have casually met him in
tbo DAVIS of wore. A debonair states
man who passed the time of day with
a railroad traveller in the campaign of
1905 was harassed night and day by
his son at the beginning of the present
session. Although a resident of West
crn state he was urging an Eastern
congressman to aid him in securing a
Mace in the postal service. The civil
that the importuned was not in politi-
raj touch with the administration car
ried no weight He inundated his vic
finn with letters, and camped at the
door leading to his rooms. Having oc-
casion to visit the Postmaster General
on other business the statesman finally
made injuries concerning his Western
tormenter. He was told that the de-
partment regarded him as a nuisance,
and not worthy of the place sought.
Even this statement had not the slight
est effect, for the opportunities stu
continue.
Another debonair statesman details
q peculiarly interesting experience.
Over two years ago a volunteer SOL
der in the Philippines amused him
self by cursing his commanding othcer.
He was curt martialed and sentenced
to three years. imprisonment at Alca-
traz. His friends importuned the deb
onairs legislator to use his influence IN
trying to secure a remission OF the
sentence. A letter from the father
stirred the sympathy of the represen-
tative and he went to the front. After
continued importantly the War De-
pdrtment released him from contne-
ment and sent him back to his regi-
ment. Instead of apologiZing to his
captain he made personal assault
upon him. The assault was SO atroclous
that he was tried and sentenced to
DEATH Again were the commiSeratons
Of the Congressman aroused. But he
visited the War Department in vain.
The secretary was obdurate, and i'm
pervious to all appeals. Finally the
congressman went to the White House.
President Mckinley listened patiently
to his recital, and for some time re
NAMED silent At last he drew long
i
atty would be RENTED. He added that
punishment fitted to the crime ought
to be of unusual severity. A fort
night afterward he made it as it was
originally-"three years in AlcatraZ."
But the opportunities on behalf OF the
volunteer did not cease. A second
time was the President urged toward
enency and a month before his death
at Buffalo he pardoned the soldier out
right 1t spoke volumes for the kind
ness Of the President, but it added mis-
cry to the life of the Representative.
Within a month he received three ad-
diti0nal applications from men con-
fined in Alcatraz His mail was bur
dened with letters from influential cit1-
zens One of the applicants based his
appeal on the ground that the con-
gresham had proved himself hus-
tier and friend of the soldier"
through his kindness of heart, gets
himself and others into trouble. While
the Spanish war was raging repre-
sentative was awakened at night by
an honest citizen. He was seeking adj
wee and he got it. He said he was
eeserter from the navy. Years agone
ne mad grown tired of the supercilious
ness of the officers above him, and had
taken French leave. Now that the
country was at war and needed his
services, his conscience smote him, and
ne wanted to return to duty. His i'm
pulse was to go to the receiving ship
ana give himself up. He was advised
70 OBEY it, and say that he did so by
sle advice of the congressman and
ron a patriotic sense of duty. A week
alterWard he wrote from the naval
PRISON IN Boston. He had been court
mdrualed and had received a two
lars sentence. He appealed to his adj
.Ser 10 go to the Navy Department
anu ask for his release. The visit did
~, pan out as expected. The authori-
r ues could see nothing patriotic in the
tpentance Of the deserter, and refused
interfere. Considering himself in a
Insure responsible FOR the sailors
tbiS'ortune, the statesman denounced
eo action of the authorities as a re-
nruoh upon his good judgment. SO
ia Sisleht was he, and so thoroughly
wy, wa he eliminate the element of red
s%,pe, that the man was not only re-
sn'Hgu 10 duty, but all other prisoners
Cary situated We're discharged
rai.lloh sense thus added scores of
Of Witt sailors to the navy, most
ssl,aIoih gave a good account of them
ives in the war.
air o was this the only time a debon-