Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-04
out just how he benefited by the gem
crosby Of the Missourian. =


There IS an inventive genius in the
General Land Office who has missed his
vocation. He ought to be III the Patent
Office across the street. The genius is
an old soldier and suffers-at least, he
used to-from cold feet Unable, be-
cause of the protests of his fellow
clerks, to keep the office at a temper
ature above so degrees, he has made q
neat little nest for his ''tootsies, out of
old newspapers. A desk blotter forms
a radiator and protects his eyes from
the light, while nestled among his toes
he has two 50-candle-power electric
globes, which on chilly days he keeps
constantly lighted. These are connec-
ted with the electric light wires. The
ingenious foot warmer is recommended
as sure preventive for any variety of
chilly pecal extremities save those
which haunt the poker table.
Several changes will be made in the
seating arrangements of the Senators
occupying seats on the front row of the
Republican side of the chamber. These
seats are numbered from 1 to 8, and
form a quarter circle Immediately in
front of the presiding officer. From the
extreme left of the chamber, and run
ming to the broad aisle in the middle of
the hall, are the seats now occupied ty
Senators Penrose, of Pennsylvania /;
Depew, of New York; Quay, of Penn
sylvania: Platt, of New York; Fair
banks, of Indiana; Plat, of Con-
necticut; Gallinger, of New Hampshire;
Cullom, of Illinois and Frye, of Maine
consequently New York and Pennsyl-
vania have two each of the most desir-
able seats in the United States Senate.
Mr.. Frye Of Maine, president pro tenn.
OF the Senate has occupied seat No. 9
Tor number of years, but since his
selection as presiding officer has had no
use for the seat, and Senator Quay has
obtained his consent to occupy it the
remainder of his term.
Though the allotment of seats in the
Senate is quite different from that in
use in the House, where it is deter
mined by lottery at the beginning of
every Congress, considerable jockeying
and dickering are INDUCED in by the
dlgnilied members of the upper branch
TO secure coveted seats which, under
the rules, they are permitted to hold
until the expiration of their terms.
one Of the most pleasing instances of
Il Damon and Pythias style of friend
ship is found in the long associates OF
Secretary Cortelyou and BENJAMIN T..
Barnes assistant secretary to the Presi-
dent. A number of years ago thew
started in together as fellow clerks in
the Postoffice Department. They COLA
boratei on perfecting a system of filing
documents. Both men were determined
to conduct their official work better. if
possible, than it had ever before been
They grew to have high re-
gard for each others ability, and when
MI. CortelyQu was called to the White
House he saw to it that Mr.. Barnes
went with him, and in all the prefer
ment that has come to the now Secre-
tary Of the Department of Commerce
and Labor he accepted no promotion
that did not carry with it an advance
for his cOmrade.
arrangement, as Mr.. Barnes has made
himself indispensable at the White House
In fact. President Roosevelt teIt he could
NOT spare him to go to the new depart
TO assistant secretary when Mr. Cortelvou
was made member of the Cabinet.
N o1hclal hours Mr.. Barnes is gravely
serious, and it is therefore a surprise to
earn through Mr., Cortelyou that his old
associate is a writer of exceedingly hum
orous sketches. The late President Nc
smiley. who greatly relished humor, was
u the opinion that these efforts, if pub
lSned would establish their authors repu-
,ation as a man of wit. but Mr. Barnes
1as never wished to have any of his work
appear in print.
Either Civil Service examiners arc rot
hIaiilple or else some of the applicants
or the government positions are afflicted
hitn Wnat allenlstS call 'psychical palsy
vheh undergoing examination" said a
" aShlnStonlan who is making a study of
ne subject, During a recent ordeal of
lueStions submitted 10 aspirants, one man
VINO has been college professor and who
few years ago in the pub
failed, according to the
markings received, to obtain the neces-
'arN credits on an examination in the
cry topics upon which he was supposed
S puzzling. Perhaps the ex professor ex-
'erlenced a sudden and ineXplicable rout
If his accumulated knowledge. Another
itriklng instance concerned newspaper
nan who took the recent examina ton for
he position of clerical examiner He
lad been out Of college twenty years. but
he passed creditably in all the purely
suases, civil government and law his
'ating was high. During the past few
ears he had been employed as head
'roofreader on metropolitan daily.
Nhere great proficiency and exactness
were necessary. He acquitted himself
veil, and left that work to serve as pri-
ate secretary to a member of Congress.
he iatter's term of office having expired,
lis secretary took the examination as |
ave stated. One thing is certain he said