New-York tribune., 1902-07-07
aTTHE NATIONAL CAPITAL
PORTO RICO TO HAVE DELEGATE IN
HoUsE-MEDAL FOR BRAYERY-LORD
PAUNCEFoTE'S BIoGRAPHER.

pnprQHeQ kg LIE 1tkSAleuls dAAONli46 EoA ~ 4N4OO
q delegate in the House Of Representatives, who
will have the same privileges as are accorded to
the delegates from Oklahoma, New Mexico and
Arizona the same rights. in fact, except the
right Of voting, that a member Of Congress en-
lows Mr. Degetau, who has been resident COM
missioner from Porto Rico since 1900. was on
the ground to claim these prerogatives, and ex-
presses natural satisfaction that he should be
the first representative of his people in Congress
The constituency Of the ne@ delegate is larger
than that of any member Of Congress number
ing nearly. if not quite, a million TO which under
the old regime was allowed four Senators and
six Representatives in the Spanish Cortes
Mr. Degetau is not OF pure Spanish blood his
grandfather having been a German and his
grandmother Of English extraction. His mother,
born Gonzales, was a very beautiful and accom-
pished woman, was daughter of of the
Oldest and most distinguished families in Ponce
and brought up her son and directed his educa-
ton, his father having died when the lad was
less than year old. Mr.. Degetau is one of the
best known and most successful lawyers in the
little island he represents, a man of wide culture
and profound scholarship. His education, begun
st the Instituete de Secunda Ensenanza in San
Juan, was continued at the Central University
Of Madrid and at the classic institutions at Saa-
manea and Grenada. He is a member Of several
scientific societies in Europe among them the
Academy Of Anthrapologieal Sciences in Madrid,
ST which he was for some time president, and an
author of RQte having written a number of es-
says ana novels on sociological subjects which
show both talent, research and an original point
Of view and have been Well received. His most
recent work, "Juventied," has for a theme the
abolition of capital punishment, and is said TO be
autobiography,
After several years spent in study and travel
abroad, Mr. Degetsu returned to his own coun-
try and took en- active part in politics. becoming
leader Of the party which advocated a repub-
Ira fnrT11 of and in h.
elected deputy to the Certes in Madrid. posi-
ton that was abolished when the United States
took possession Of the island. In 1900, after a
successful administration under Governor Henry
as Secretary Of the Interior, he was elected
T d cut to 81 me to nfed sasSs rsseyns fbc
then he has lived for the greater part of the
lime in Washington looking after the interests
Of his country and seeking 10 obtain the recog-
nitiol that Congress has recently granted.
Mr.. Degstau was married early last spring TO
Miss Santa Lucia. the daughter of the count of
that name. who, like her husband, has literary
tastes and Is skilful with the pencil and brush.
Mrs. Degetau is fine looking woman of the
Spanish type with dark hair and eyes, = clear
complexion and most sympathetic and win
ming smile She will visit her adopted eountry
shortly for Ponce with her husband. whe stands
for election next fall. There is. howevsr, little
doubt about his being returned as he is far and
away the most influential and popular man IN
the island.
A prominent citizen OF Boston. who. while
EtedgS IlSA1lS AdDOI 4OuSs os d
scholar and an author, does not entirely ap-
prove of the official course Of the Junior Senator
from his State. met Mr.. Lodge IN one Of the
Hobbies OF the Capitol just before adjournment
How do you do. Senator" he asked: so
long since we have met perhaps you don't re-
member me"
"Remember you?" echoed the Senator "Of
course do. Wss in your brothers elias. at
college, you recall and il l were TO forget that
I could never forget the thrashings you used to
give me every time went to your house"
We'll, L dare say you deserved them" replied
che visiting Rostonians then, sotto voce, as he
turned away: Il would Ike to give you
thrashipg now and then. at this late day. for
you often deserve them"
Captain Frederick Johnson, of Chicago has
recently received from the Secretary of the
Treasury silver medal in recognition of the
bravery he showed in saving the lives Of the crew
on barges Nos. 3 and of the Lake Michigan
Perry line in the terrible storm that occurred
December II. 1900, when johnson was towing
them. The rescue WAS made at great risk to
Captain Johnson, his crew and ship, a risk that
few men would have taken The wind reached
a terrible velocity. and the swept steamer
and barges both fore and aft when the latter
began 10 leak. and, the pumps being out of
order. their captains signalled the captain of
the Fischer, which had them in tow. that they
could not kesp long afoat TO save his tow
johnson decided TO take shelter under Long
Point, Ontario, which affords a safe refuge in
case of storms. but he had hardly changed his
course when the towing hawser broke and the
two barges fell into the trough of the raging
sea. a part OF their cargo was washed over
board ard there was danger that the baFges
would become Waterlogged and sink with their
crew of fourteen men. Johnson's safety plainly
depended on keeping his boat out 70 sea. but,
disregardine this. he went to the rescue Of the
disabled barges and, after several Intellectual at
teElpts, succeeded in saving the crews OF both
boats.
In his letter transmitting the medal Secretary
Shaw says:
this occasion are set forth and highly commend
ed by many witnesses, INCLUDING the captains Of
the harges and the mate Of the Fischer. all OF
whom, being officers accustomed to handle yes
sels. are especially competent judges, have
great pleasure in acting as the medium for the
award of the accompanying medal, which is
designed to bear official testimony TO your gal
liant conduct"
At a revival in one OF the nearby counties in
Virginia ths other day an old farmer. 4he richest
man in the place and noted for his miserly
habits becoming irnbueo with the power"
arose to reclts his experience.
Y joined this church forty wears ago, praise
be 20 God" he said "and during that whole
time il has cost me only 50 cents
:. Praise be TO God. indeed, called out the IN.
digpaat preacher. "and may He have mercy on
your stfngy soul," which met with q hearty
Amen from the congregation,
The people Of Dover. Tenn, attribute the pas
sage Of the bill authorizing the construction of
military road from that village to the Ma
toRal Cemetery on the site of Fort Donelson
10 Speaker Henderson who was a participant
in the battle Of ponelson and received a wound
there that laid him up for three months AS an
evidence Of their appreciation of his interest
two citizens of Dover have sent the Speaker a
Walking stick from the banks of Lick Creek