The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-06-07
nouncing his intentions as to chairman
ships.
A Deaf Congressman.

saw that finds confirmation in the pO-
lltical career Of the silent man of con-
gress," General John Henry Ketcham
Of New York, who has lately received
his sixteenth denomination to the house
Of representatives. That his Republi-
can supporters made no mistake in Civ
ing him a unanimous renOmina ton was
proven when the vote was counted, and
1t appeared that General Ketcham had
received 25,6lS votes to his opponents
969- He holds an enviable military rec
ord as well, enlisting as a volunteer in
the civil war, and coming out a brig
adlef general He was elected to the
Ihlrty-ninth congress, and served in
the Fortieth, Forty-first and Forty-sec-
ond, but through his loyalty to General
Grant met defeat in his campaign for
a seat in the Forty third congress.
Later Grant appointed him commission
er OF the District Of Columbia, and so
wen did he perform the duties of that
ONCE that. during the incumbency, the
district bonds rose from discount 10
above par. He was reelected to the
Forty-tifth and to each succeeding con
gress. Yet in all his service as a United
states representative, he has never ut
tered one word which the Official
stenOgraphers might record. Indeed, all
ne has ever been heard to say on the
floor is a yes or no in answer to
the call Of votes. He is deaf He is
never heard in debate, but his work in
committee is fOrceful, and his political
judgment is Of the best. His constitll-
ents lose nothing by his silence. Per
haps they are all the better served be-
cause he wastes no time in words.
Mutual Dislike.
On President Roosevelt's return to
Washington he found the new quar-
termaster general. Brigadier~ General
= Inn hoI =
duties of the office vacated by General
LudingtOn's retirement. General Hum
phrey arrived here with his family this
week after five weeks of steady travel
from Manila. The incident of his ap-
po1ntment as quartermaster general is
one of the most interesting and charac-
teristic acts of Theodore Roosevelt since
ne became president, and the future re-
latiOns of the two men Will be watched
with anxious interest by the friends Of
both, and great curiosity by those who
have no personal concern in the matter.
It is a well-knOwn fact that during
the war with Spain several clashes took
place between General Humphrey and
the then colonel of the rough riders
Both-men are impuIsive, Outspoken and
frank in their expressions as to men
and affairs, and there were no words
wasted on either side when Greek met
Greek. General Humphrey left Cuba to
continue his remarkable career, first as
quartermaster of the expedition in Chi
ma, and, later on. with the army in the
Philippines, probably regarding his dis
but one Of many unpleasant incidents
of a, strenuous time.
When, in the natural course of events.
1t became necessary to appoint a new
quartermaster general. and General
Humphreys claims for that distinction
was apparently no question as TO who
would be chosen. it was quickly made
manifest that President Roosevelt had
not forgotten the sights, fancied or
otherwise which had been dealt out to
Colonel Roosevelt. In fact, his recOl-
| lection of these incidents was so keen
that, when General Humphreys name
was proposed for the succession, he set
it aside as an impOssibility.
This fact was communicated to Gen
eral Humphrey, then in Manila, and.
realizing that the president was just
man, and that possibly both were to
blame for any friction which had oc-.
Cured he frankly appealed to the pres
ident not to bring his most credit2 bic
career to a sudden termination by pass
ing him over for some man less entitled
to become the head of the quartermas-
ter's department. President Roosevelt,
recognizing that nothing stood in the
way of General Humphreys promotion
but personal prejudice, promptly made
the appointment The two men will
meet face to face in a day or two and
I il is believed that in future they will be
all the more closely bound together be
cause of the misunderstanding which
( has existed during the past five years.
If the meeting is not successful there
viii be an unfortunate GOODNESS to the
( end as. judging from the character Of
IL -
1 the past will be forgiven through the
magnanimity of the one and the rugged
/ honesty and good common sense Of the
other.
Washington newspaper men are not a
/ little annoyed by the rumOr that Ar
/ thur Pue German has gone abroad to
| escape being interviewed as a possible
! Democratic candidate for the presiden-
/ cy. Mr.. German. they declare, does not
/ have to run away from importunate
Finterviewers. He is one of those peO-
I pie who cannot be cajOled into telling
I things which they afterward regret
/ having talked about. He is very popu-
} lar with the newspaper fraternity and
always talks freely with his friends
among the reporters, but he makes sure
that he can trust the man with whom
/ he talks.
General Weston Dying.
NOLl1lllSSdIE ATElleIdl JONI W E6LOl
/ is dying. This statement will bring
/ sorrow and regret to every officer in the
/ United States army. and to thousands
! of civilians who have been brought in
| contact with this capable, energetic and
genial Irishman. A few days ago he
was at his desk in the war department
1 in full control Of the affairs of his di-
vision. He has not been feeling we'll
/ for some months, and his friends have
noted with concern that ne was rapidly
/ aging. They did not suppose. however,
| that anything serious was the matter
with him until last week when he went
/ to Johns Hopkins hospital, Baltimore,
! and had a survey made of his physical
/ condition. It was soon discovered that
/ he had an aneurism in the region of his
/ heart, and that II might be a matter OF
/ but a few days when he would die sud
! denly. and while he might possibly lin
ger for some time, he would never again
/ be able to attend TO his duties.
/ In the ordinary course of events, Cen
/ eral Weston would not retire until 1909
/ His presumably fatal illness viii come
| as a serious disappointment TO the war
/ department. for there was great re-
! joicing at the appointment of this able
! executive officer to the control Of his
! important department.
/ He is a great personal favorite of
/ President Roosevelt They hit it of