Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-12
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participation of the President. and the
planting was in charge of Henry Pfster
who had been for years n charge of the
conservatory and green houses of the
White House Visitors to the White House
grounds often inquire about the little tree,
and look at it thoughtfully and carefully
White House guides passing through the
grounds with visitors point the tree out to
their patrons one of the points of inter
est N the grounds.
x x
1.-The suggestion that has been made of
celebrating next year the centennial ami
versary of the beginning of the public
school system in this city" observed one of
the old residents, ''revives in my mind a
thought that has come to me when see
a list of the names of the school buildings.
Instead of numbering these buildings as is
done frequently In other cities, the excel
lent plan is being followed of making use
of them to perpetuate the names of men
who have been identified with the develop
ment of the city in its various phases The
services of the mayors Of the city and other
city officials have in this way received rec
ognitien, as well as those identified with
educational interests
In the latter class belongs properly Rev.
James Laurie, who was for many years
actively associated in the work Of the pub
lie schools as trustee. He was also for a
long term the president of the Washington
Library Company, the first incorporated
Institution of the sort in the city, and in
other ways DR.. Laurie contributed as a
publc-spirited citizen to advancing the well
fare of the community. The appropriate
ness of such recognition is specially
timely as the centennial anniversary of the
church OF which he was pastor for many
years has just been observed in an elabo-
rate fashion by the New York Avenue
church, which Is the successor of the old
+ street church.
The late Vice President Carrot A. Ho-
bart had fund OF humor which was fire.
quentiy enjoyed by those near him in off,
cfal life here While he was the embodi-
Hent of dignity in the performance of his
duties as Vice President, he often cast
aside the manner and language of his Of
nee, and his friends then found him as I'M
affected and ready for a frolfc as any
school boy.
1t was while he was Vice President and
presiding over the deliberations of the Sem
ate that the wonders of the X-ray were
made known to the world. The interest in
the invention resulted in one Of the ma
chimes being sent to the Capitol laboratory
where it was viewed by many of the SEN
ators and representatives. One party that
went over to the laboratory included the
vice President, Senator Tillman and about
twenty others. 1t was popularity Of Mr.
Hobart that he cultivated the good feeling
and friendship of every senator alike Poll
tics caused no line to be drawn in his so
cfal affairs. He was as careful to invite the
South Carolinian, with his pdtchfork COW
cred with gore, as he was any other SEN
ator. When the machine was in position
the Vice President suggested that TilIman
stand in front of it. He had no sooner
done than the bones of his body became
visible.
Great heavens" exclaimed the Vice
President. "Tflimann, you have an I'M
mense backbone!'
The South Carolinian was rather pleased
with the alluson to the size of his spinal
column, as his backbone had already been
acknowledged to be of unusual proportions.
The Vice President had spoken in serious
tones, as if merely communicating fact
Of the Ti1lman anatomy to him, and with
out change in the muscles of his face to
denote that there was any hunor in the
remark
II wonder II he's joking remarked Sem
ator Stewart. In an unlertone, to some one
at his side. The undertone was the sort
that is always uttered by the Nevada SEN
ator, and was heard all over the room with
ter as much at the fncredulous tones of the
Nevada senator at the observation Of the
Vice President
X
On another occasion Mr.. Hobart was
presiding over the Senate when the mer-
curry was climbing into the ntneties. 1t
was hot everywhere, and the usually
pleasant Senate chamber was not an ex-
ception to the general condition Of the
city. The task of presiding over the Sem
ate was an irksome one. and resulted in
the chosen officer perspiring at a very
rapid rate. But there are many comforts
that men In ordinary walks of life may
have had that are out of the reach Of
senators. The dignity of that body had
always forbidden the Introduction of an
electric fan into the chamber Few sena-
tors would be guilty of using any kind of
fan within the chamber, as it was not in
accordance with the traditions of that
august body
But after MI. Hobart had suffered and
suffered with the heat without complain
ing he called on an official of the Capitol
and inquired in serious tones whether he
knew great deal about senatorial dig
nifty. The reply came very quickly that
the official had come in contact with
good deal Of 1t. and naturally he had some
idea about that mysterious thing known
as senatorial dignity
Now" continued Mr.. Hobart, would 1t
shock the dignity of the Senate IL
should have an electric fan on my desk?"
That suggestion in any other place
would have been a very harmless. one
but it was weighted with great impor-
lance when applied to the Senate cham
the fan there il wanted. at very short no
tice. but evaded risking an opinion as to
its effects on the Senate itself
Well said the Vice President, IF I
should ind an electric fan here tomorrow
when the Senate convenes will
not say anything about it."
The suggestion was as good as q COM
mand, and that evening a fan was Sc
lected with a view to having it run with
out perceptible noise. The next morning
IL was throwing cool breeze oyer the
Vice Presidents desk.
The effect of the fan was wonderful. At
once the Vice President was overwhelmed
with offers TO preside whenever he should
wish to be relieved Of that task. Speaking
of the effect Of the fan Mr.. Hobart re-
marked:
Suddenly my position. has become so
coveted that 1 am afraid for the conse-
quences. 1t seems that every senator
wants to sit UP here. / think we will
keep that fan running"
And there was never recorded any OBJ
lection to the innovation.
Sport With Kinks in It.
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