The Washington times., 1902-07-04
WANT PEN THAT SIGNED
THE PHILIPPINE BILL
Rivals at Odds Over Its
Possession.
Mightier Than the Sword in Causing
Friction-President Appeases Mr..
W. Leon Pepperman.

The pen with which President Roose-
welt signed the Philippine bill came
within an ace of dis1upting the civil
service commission of the islands. But
for the affability OF the secretary of the
commission, Mr.. W. Leon PepDerman,
who is now sojourning in Washington,
there might have been swords and coffee
for two in this mornings gray twilight
out in the direction of bloody Bladens-
burg where in days gone by gentlemen
of honor met and secured satisfaction in
each others gore.
In the first place. it should be men
toned, the pen is very innocent, steel
tipped. black handled instrument, worth
about cents, and not gold pen as at
first stated. It had rested probably for
weeks upon the Presidents desk at the
White House and was moved to the
present temporary offices of the Execu-
tive several days ago with the other
stationery adjuncts.
Mr.. Pepperman Appears.
Senior Buencamino. the ex-member of
Aguinaldo's cabinet, who is now a mem
Der of the civil service commission at
Manila. and Mr.. Pepperman, the sec
rotary Of the same body. came over to-
gether on leave month or so ago. Mr..
Pepperman was formerly an examiner
in the Civil Service Commission here
and previous to holding that position
vas 4 stenographer and typewriter
while MIR. Roosevelt was member of
the board.
As Mr.. PepDerman is the oldest mem
ber of the Philippine civil government.
with the exception OF Commissioner
Worcester. he had watched the progress
of the Philippine bill, passed few days
ago, with more than ordinary interest
and was anxious to secure the enacting
pen to take back with him when he re-
turns to his post OF duty a month hence.
Knowing that there would be a scramble
for the pen, he wended his way to the
Presidents office week ago. renewed
acquaintance with the President and
asked for the precious implement.
You shall certainly have it. l shall
be delighted to give It to you" ex-
claimed the President Here. Cortel-
you make a note of this. Mr.. Pepper
man is to get the pen that signs the
Philippine bill"
Happy, Then Horror Stricken.
Mr.. Pepperman went away happy.
What was his horror. therefore, when
ba owCla Tbu-cdov r,,nrnip, 10 roo1 4;
The Times the fact that the President
had signed the Philippine bill up at the
Capitol. and had then and thore pre-
sented the pen to Senator Lodge. chair
man of the Philippines Committee. Be-
fore noon the pen had changed hands
again. sonor Buencamino called upon
the President to ask for the pen. and
had scarcely been informed that it was
in the possession of Senator Lodge when
that statesman walked into the room.
and, hearing the request. gracefully |
turned it over to the old Filipino.
At Last Appeased.
When Mr. Pepperman learned all the |
facts in the case he called upon the |
President
THE only way you can square your
self" he told Mr.. Roosevelt, ''is to |
either make me a major general in the |
army or give NE the pen with which /
you sign the amnesty proclama tion."
You shall certainly have it, cried /
he President. after he had recovered
rom his laughter. ''If you don't get 1t
III see that you have the shoulder