The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-08
ABOUT NOTABLE PERSONS
A BUDGET OF ANECDOTES IN WHICH
SOME wELL-KNowN MEN FIGURE.
Friendly Relations Between Two SEN
ators of Opposite Parties-MuI-
doon's Methods.

- Cabinet OF President Roosevelt
Secretary of the Treasury Shaw has been
called the David Harum OF the Cabinet. and
IL the duplication is fitting one, Secretary
Wilson might be called the Bill Nye Of the
executive circle.
Shortly after he assumed charge or his
important department Mr.. Wilson made
some changes In his Office Senators and
congressman came to protest, but all to no
avail, because the secretary felt that what
he was doing was in the interest of the pub
lice service. Finally one of the employees
whose transfer had been ordered called upon
the secretary. He said
"Mr. Secretary. am afraid that IL you
dispense with any more OF our men IL will
impair the efficiency of this department.
considered it my duty to say this to you
and to get your views"
For answer the secretary looked UP at
the ceiling and said:
There was once farmer in Iowa who
had three fat cats. His barn was overrun
with mice. One day he gave the three fat
cats away and got one new cat-not so fat
He was never troubled with mice after
that"
This is a story of conscience. Senators
Quay and Vest for years were the Damon
and Pythias of the Senate. a fact that tends
to prove that opposites really do make con-
genial companions. No two men, apparent
~. can furnish more pronounced contrasts
than these two senator's. Quay, Northern
man; Vest from the South Quay a pro-
nounced Republican and upholder Of pro-
lection: Vest a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat
and believer in free trade; Quay a colonel
IN the Union army; Vest proud Of the fact
that he fought for the confederacy. But
given two fishing lines and a pot of bait
and these veterans experienced that one
touch of nature which makes the whole
world kin.
A few years ago, as result of the fierce
factional fight in Pennsylvania, Quay
reached Washington with certificate of
appointment to the Senate from the Gov
ernor of the keystone State. The Legisla-
ture had been deadlocked; the question i'm
mediately arose in the United States Sen
ate-is the appointment constitutional? The
lawyers in the Upper House of Congress
debated the proposition for weeks; the prac-
teal senator's counted noses. 1t was adj
mitted by both sides that 1t was a neck
and neck confessional single vote would
decide the issue. AT that time 1t was as
serted and believed that If Quay were not
seated. 1t would sound the death knell Of his
political supremacy. The Quayites claimed
Vest as a matter OF course.
The Missouri senator had been very i'll
and IL was feared would not be in his seat
when the vote was taken. On the morning
of the fateful session the green baize doors
OF the Senate were pushed open, and Vest,
looking haggard and worn, was assisted to
his place. Surely the issue must be momen-
tous to bring a man from his sick bed? The
roll call proceeded amid the most intense
interest. Every senator was In his place
keeping tab the vote On the surface
constitutional question was to be decided;
beneath 1t the career of the most criticized
and most masterfuI politician of America
was at stake. Hanna. ambushed leader of
the opposition. was i'll at ease; Penrose. cap
tain Of the Quay forces, making great
show of confidence, was filed with doubt.
The names were called in alphabetical order
and the clerk was near the end Of the roll
1t was tie.
VESTS DECIDING VOTE.
Amid heart-breaking silence every man In
the chamber almost at the same instant
realized that Vest would have the deciding
vote. Would he vote Yes to accept the
questioned credentials CT his fishing chum,
or mo to reject them?
MIR. Vest" called the clerk, with a
monotonous drawl.
Every eye was turned in the direction
OF the Missouri senator. He sat motionless,
unheeding the call.
mr.. Vest" repeated the clerk, in rising
voice. as IL piqued at the physical effort re-
CURED to call name twice.
Once more every eye turned toward the
veteran from the South and every ear was
strained to hear his response He half rose
In his seat. and then in a voice that was
husky and trembling he answered:
IT vote No."
Then the man who could not overcome his
constitutional convictions sank back In his
seat exhausted. and the wires flashed forth
the news that his bosom friend had met
with disaster. Quay's partisans were fur
ious, but Quay's voice was silent and his
face inscrutabIe. Only once he spoke. and
that was 10 bid a man who was abusing
Vest TO be silent.
Tnat was the act Of the drama that was
only half and not understood by the
public. But its sequel was truly Quaylike.
Two years later the Pennsylvania Legisla-
ture reelected Quay to the Senate His
Journey to the national capital was like a
triumphal tour. Flowers were dumped into
the Senate by the wagon load: Quay fol-
lowers packed the galleries. He took the
oath calmly, possibly with an inward feel
ing of citation over his victory, but after
that disappeared in a most mysterious man.
ner. Admirers who wanted to give him
dinner were nonplused. When he returned
four or five hours later a member OF his
family inquired anxiously:
Where have you been? Your friends
have been looking for you everywhere"
Il have been taking dinner with an old
friend. he said. quietly.
who was it2''
Quay shifted about. like schoolboy about
to be scolded, and said. with just touch of
dehance:
1T was my friend Vest"
And so 1t was. and the friendship of
many. many years still continues
MULDOON AND CHRIS MAGEE
The announcement that Muldooa, the
wrestler. has donated a $4,000 property to a
church in his native town, indicates that
the Napoleon OF the ring does not propose
to be- outdoue bV the Schwahs the Moroans