The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-14
YOUNG men IN CONGRESS.

The new member of congress always
has his troubles, says the Washington
Post. but II is far better for him IL he
isn't very young-looking man. Indigni-
ties may be heaped upon him, II he has a
beardless face, that will sting more than
the air OF superiority which tried and
experienced statesmen assume In monopo-
lizing the management OF house proceed
ings. Even the doorkeepers, a courteous
lot OF men generally. are apt TO hand
the new member, who comes as a youth
full stranger, a cruel rebuff, and slam the
fine mahogany doors I'm his face until he
establishes his indentity. 1t becomes ter
rible when aged colleagues request the
new ones TO run errands like a page boy
at 50 day, but this is something more
than a mere jest. 1t has happened fire.
quently In the few short weeks that this
congress has been In session. There are,
In fact. trials and tribulations galore for
the young man who rises from an ad-
miring constituency and breaks his way
into congress.
The house this year Is very prolific, not
so much perhaps. In very young men as
in men who look young and possibly act
young. Mr.. Fitzgerald OF New York is
one OF the youngest men in years of all
the house. but. although only %, he looks
older and he has had two years of SER
vice, druing which he has become ac-
quainted Far less fortunate in that re-
gard is Montague Lessler. Republican. re-
Gently elected from a neighboring New
York city district, who was 80 years old
Jan. last, and who, In point of service.
Is the youngest of oil the 357 members
OF the popular legislative branch.
Mr.. Lessler has been fighting his way
rapidly to recognition since Mr.. Cum
mings and Mr.. Lattauer, both OF New
uaIl lred nd xtyith lat
before the bar OF the house a few days
ago. so that the speaker would be sure
he was not swearing In one OF the pages
instead OF a ful-hedged congressman.
Mr.. Lessler is quite short, has a smooth,
but intelligent face, which, In repose,
could well belong to boy OF 16 But his
brain. his voice, and his manner of ex-
preston are those OF ID well-matured man,
and he has been progressing into the af-
lection and esteem OF his colleagues in
rapid fashion. In fact, he might well be
STYLED the boy wonder, for he captured a
Democratic stronghold in order TO get TO
congress. and his story OF how he did IL
is of enhancing interest
There are lots of staid-going old men,
bers OF the house who do not exhibit any
degree of anxiety to get acquainted with
the newcomers, but who keep the page
boys going until their little feet are weary.
This type OF statesman likewise caused
Mr.. Lessler some WEAKNESS for n couple
OF weeks by constantly requesting him to
go on errands.
Looking stu more youthful than Mr..
Lessler, Asbury Francis Lever OF Lexing-
ton. s. c.. took his seat at the beginning
OF the term as successor OF the late DIR.
Stokes. Although only "a years old, Mr..
Lever came with experience I'm public life.
The doorkeepers did not frown on him.
for he had been here several years as DIR.
Stokes private secretary. and most OF
the guardians at the congressional portals
knew him. However, several OF the Re-
publican members tried TO send him on
errands. and Mr.. Lever Is such cour-
teous little fellow that he would execute
any small requests rather than embarrass
his elderly colleagues. He Is slender. his
features are delicate. he Is dark and he
Is hardly any taller than Mr.. Lessler. but
II might be observed that both these
young men arc whirlwinds on the stump.
The South Carolnian Is a graduate OF
Georgetown University Law school and
served az delegate In the state conven-
tlons OF 1895 and 1900. In the latter year
having been elected to the state legisla-
ture from Lexington county.
II have been occasionally requested 90
run errands" said Mr.. Lever who is the
only member Of his family that ever &C.
cepted public office, but that doesn't
bother me. Perhaps the funniest expert
ences that have had were with the
p-ges and clerks of the house who knew
me when I was here myself as a clerk.
Yes. they all come 10 me with their
troubles and they have a great many
troubles"
There is another young Democrat Of
the house who has had some difficulty,
not serious hv any means IN dodring the
watchful foorkeepers. He is John J.
Feely ~ Chlcngo. who r. 7s years old,
snd who defeated the suburn-haircd
'pnly." Lorirner Cor congress. The cur
rent rurnors around the capitol are that