The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-02-24
CAPITAL CHAT
Herald.

lOSSj %"NOiNo vi lAlt
sofa, is very proud of the fact that he
reckons among his constituents at this
time two real, live representatives-elect
and that he himself is reelected for two
more years, this unusual instance en-
phasizing that his section of the North
Star State is full Of sound
sional timber.
Il come about by the last redistrict-
ing Of the state, portions Of Mr.. Nc
Cleary's present district forming por-
ions OF two other congressional dis
tricts under the regime which goes IN
to effect Macrh 4 next. One of the
representatives-elect is c. R. Davis
and the other is 0. J.. Volstead. of
Granite Falls, just arrived in town to
look things over.
Mr.. Davis lives at S. Peter, Mimi,
in which Connection it may be interest
ing to note that Minnesota also has in
the present congress and will have in
the next congress representative F. c.
Stevens, of st. Paul.
A story was told around the capitol
yesterday of an alleged reason for the
new assignment Of Col. T. A. Bingham.
who has for six years been superinten-
dent of public buildings and grounds.
1t was that Senator Depew, while q
dinner guest at the White house one
evening, heard some remark that
pleased him immensely. The senator
laughed. not only heartily. but extern
sively.
After a little, as the story goes, Col.
Bingham approached Senator Depew
and touched him on the shoulder.
Please don't laugh so loudly said
he. You are annoying the president"
This version of Col. Bingham's re-
tirement doubtless is entitled to as
much respect as some of the other YER
sions.
Up to the war department yesterday
went Representative Dovener. of West
Virginia. His errand was to get a con-
stituent appointed to the high and
honorable office Of tombstone inspector
unde the federal government. The
war department purchases a good
many eadstones for the graves of SOL
dlers. which necessarily must be IN
spected carefully to assure complete
fullflment of the contract.
"ThOse places are under the civil
service" was the reply returned to
MI. Dovener's anxIous inquiry in be-
half of his ambitious constituent.
What, pray, must the qualifications
be?" asked Mr.. Dovener as a look of
extreme disgust came over his counte-
nance. Must he be able to stand an
examination of exemption from aiding
in race suicide or must he be an un-
~dertaker?" Then he bottled his wrath.
as an opponent OF civil service, and
boarded a car going east.
"All the fellows are telling Of Justice
Of-the-peace stories," observed repre-
sentative Clayton. Of Alabama. 81
have something in that line myself.
told me by Bob Henry, of Texas, un-
der injunction OF secrecy, which, you
will notice. I am about to violate.
1T is on S. H. Cowan. a prominent
lawyer OF the Lone Star State, and at
torney for the National Cattlemen's
Association. They had a judge in Tex,
as, whose name Bob told me. but
which ! do not at this moment recah.
He was q terror to the lawyers. I
reckon he was something like the late
Mr.. Jupstice Miller, for he would go
at the lawyers practicing in mis- court
and evidently try to bowl them of
their feet by vigorous questioning.
Well, Cowan. then a young lawyer.
was trying a case before three judges.
OF whom the man I have just MENTION
ed was one. He went for Cowan Sc
verely. and the lawyer was plainly
out of the ring at such a lombard
ment OF questions from the bench.
Now, don't be disconnected by my
questions, Mr.. Cowan', said this judge.
Answer me just as you would the
Observation-Disclosures over in your
ty if o were trying a case before
him..
"At that Cowan was ready. quick as
q flash.
~ always tell him, said he boldly.
to keep his d-n mouth shut
The other two Judges could not re-
frain from laughter at that sort Of re-
buff.
This judge remarked the chief
Justice gravely, will o have to keep
his mouth hut.'"-Washington Post.