St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-04-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Secretary of the Treasury Shaw is
suspected Of writing spring poetry. At
least he recited a stanza the other day
which can't be found in any book of
quotations in the Congressional library,
and he uttered the lines in way be-
coming a proud young rhymester who
likes to dwell on his poetical fancies.
1t was at the White House, and Sec
rotary Shaw, as usual, was the first of
the cabinet to arrive for the semiweek-
" council. Coming through the White
House grounds, he stopped to examine
the buds on the linden trees and to en-
Joy the springlike air. When the sec
rotary reached the top Of the stairs
leading to the executive office, he
branched off and approached a group
of newspaper men who were discussing
the recent order that cabinet officers
are not to divulge state affairs to the
press.
"Wen, Mr.. Secretary, what's new to-
dayY exclaimed one Of the reporters
from force of habit and forgetting the
injunction.
Secretary Shaw paused moment
and delivered himself as follows:
l heard the woodpecker peck,
! heard the sapsucker sing,
l turned to my window, and. 10 and
behold, 1t was spring.
Then he disappeared in the cabinet
room. but not before acknowledging
the applause which greeted his effort.
Electric Baths For Congressman.
To be literally sprayed with electric
ity from head to foot, rolled with an
electric roller the wrinkles ironed out
of face and brow with an electric
glass bulb as a flatiron and to nave the
spark of life impaired to any particular
section Of the anatomy through
wooden ball are some Of the IuXurles
which a senator or representative IN
congress can enjoy by simply descend
ing In the elevator to the magnificent
marble bathrooms at either end OF the
capitol. stepping on to zinc plate ana
ordering Chief Electrical Engineer
GLEN to turn on his lightning"
The electrical adjunct to the legisla
tive baths is a comparatively recent
addition, and as yet seemingly rev
members have learned of its wonder
fully ipvigorating effect on tired leg
islator. Those who have, however are
constant patrons, and the static ma
chine is creating for itself an envlable
reputation as a next morning anu
dote. And for putting a member into
condition for speech in the senate OF
house it has no equal.
Powers Maiden Speech.
Sam Powers of Massachusetts, the
wit of the new Republican contingent
and the president of the Tantalus CLUB
has set the fashion for maiden speech
es. 1t is a short crisp utterance, where
in you drive the point home with logic
and vivid work and then sit down
Prolixity Is tabooed.
Although he has shone at public
gatherings outside the house, Mr.. Pow
ers did not essay the role of an orator
till very recently, and then he chose as
his theme the rather exceptional topic
for an eastern Yankee Of irrigation
He compressed his ideas into nine tart
paragraphs, each one Of which was an
interesting argument carrying some IN
formation. and resumed his seat. That
is the style of speaking by which Mr.
Powers captivates, 1t has made him
much in demand for 5anquets and 9th
er political gatherings
Gambler, Poet and HumOrist'
Poet and humorist combined IS KEEP
resentative Gambler Of Mississippi. Ut
burden of his song is the TomDlgDet
river, not poetica name, but invested
by Gambler with all the attributes VI
sweetness and light.
Mr.. Gambler besought the house Il
spend a few dollars improving TIT
Tombigbee river. Not only Is 1t one
the oldest rivers in the country, accord
ing to Gambler, but it has been traVel
ing the even tenor of it's way eve
since It was discovered. If it can onl!
he opened to commerce, there will b.
no trouble to navigate it, "for," accord
ing to Gambler, there will be no storm
to disturb, no ice to block, and the sil
very moon will light up the crysta
waves by night, and the dazzling SUI
will lend its transcendent rays D.
day"