The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-11-07
STORIES OF SENATOR HOAR.
"reminiscences of the National CAPT
tol.


On the strength of a distorted account
or a 'run-in" which the late Senator Hoar
mad with a Washington street car con-
ouctor a greet many entirely baseless
stories gained currency which sought 10
snow that the noted .Massachusetts
statesman possessed peeyish disposition
and an acrid tongue. Nothing could have
neeu further from the truth, says the
Washington Star. Senator Hoar was
civil, courteous, patient and considerable
Old gentleman to the very last day of his
residence in Washington. There are in
Vulnerable well authenticated stories 10
prove this.
One forenoon a year ago last spring
Senator Hoar sent in his card TO a bu-
reau chief-since resisned-who during
his short career in Washington, was noted
for sort OF insouciance that bordered on
bad manners.
The messenger conducted the Massa-
chusetts senator into the bureau chiefs
sumptuously appointed office. The bu-
reau chief sat at his desk, facing the
door; Dut ne never raised his head when
the senator. entered. or responded to the
latter s Good morning. The bureau
chief went right ahead with his writing
The senator halted about ten feet in front
of the desk and stood waiting for the
bureau chief to give some indication that
he understood that he was not entirely
alone in the room. But the bureau chief
went on writing Three or four minutes
passed thus the old senator patiently
shifting from one foot 10 the other
Then the senator advanced 10 the desk
huge double affair. and pulled a chair
up TO the side of the desk facing the
bureau chief. Senator Hoar picked up d
pen and block of writing paper and
began TO write.
1t was only then that the bureau chief
looked up from his papers and over at the
senator on the other side of the desk.
There was an expression of simulated STIR
prise on the bureau chiefs face, as if he
had only then become aware of the SEN
a frrs IL he
"Oh. hw'are you, senator?'' said the
bureau chief. dryly to the senator, who,
however. did not look up from his writ
ing. Anything l can do for your"
NO sir; I dropped in only TO write a
few letters complaisantly replied the old
Massachusetts statesman. never looking
up. Don't put yourself out. Proceed
with your work
BY the way. senator he said, leaning
back in his revolving chair. about that
little matter that you submitted to the
! department awhile ago. We
''Oh. never mind calmly interrupted
the senator. Its rather an irksome case.
/ am going TO sec the secretary about
that little matter as soon as finish these
few letters
The bureau chief flushed and bent over
his desk again. The senator went calmly
ahead at his correspondence for about a
| quarter Of an hour. when he touched the
button at the side of the desk he was
sitting a and summoned the messenger.
BE so good as to take MY card To the
secretary he said to the messenger, ana
the messenger went out.
The secretary's office was only two
doors down the hall In less than min
ute the bureau chiefs door was thrown
open and the secretary himself plunged
| in, both hands extended toward the SEN
atOr who was still seated at the desk.
Why. the top Of the morning TO you,
| senator" cordially exclaimed the secre-
| tary gripping Mr.. HoaF by both hands.
You're just the man l want TO have z
| long talk with Messenger" addressing
| the waiting black man. tell the rest of
| the folks waiting for men that I'll be busy
! for the next hour or 50" and he con-
! Quoted Senator Hoar 10 his holy OF
| holes.
Something like an hour later. after the
senator's departure from the private Of
| flee of the secretary, the bureau chlef
was summoned by the secretary.
AN he dun look lax TO cents wuf o
dog meat Wen he all come out O de sec
tahy's office" was the comment of one
| Of the black messengers stationed in the
| corridor
There is another story, also having 70
do with a departmental chief, which
shows how exceedingly patient Senator
Hoar could be up TO certain swapping
point.
mental office-now out of the service. too
"a little after the hour of noon one day.
| The official was noted during his regime
| for his vast capacity for food. When the
senator was ushered into the officials
room on this occasion a big focd tray
covered the latters desk. He was taking
| his luncheon, which consisted OF a re-
markabIe assortment of Sandwiches. and
| pastries and a pot of coffee.
Just taking bite" said the official,
| his mouth filled with a tongue sandwich.
BE through directly. Have a seat, SEN
ator"
The senator replied that he would call
a no hnIIr another TOOK
lie returned on the following day at
| O'Clock IN the afternoon The official
was saving away at stack OF lamb
chops garnished with lyOnnaise potatoes.
coffee on the side. spread all over mis-
desk.
Another bite" said the senator whose
| business with the department was urgent.
He went away, saying that he q return
| on another day. .
on the next day the senator was back
| at the department again. this time at
O'clock. He found the official in the en-
| joyme Of a little snack comprising such
staying dainties as sandwiches, eclairsi
/ pieces of pie and cheese. SLABS or cake
and tea, The old senator looked the lay
out ovet out of the tail OF his eye. and
/ shook his head in q puzzled sort OF way,
Well I'm going to wait tn you get
through this time, Mr. Blank. ne SAID
and he sunk into q deep leather chair
and watched the official devOur food as
IN fascinated by the spectacle. The Of
fetal had Il newspaper propped up IN
front Of him, and gormandized ana rea .C
I'm A leisurely sort Of way. He looked w
from his little repast when he heard z
sort Of half gurgle. half snore. The SEN
ator was profound in slumber.
/ The official. having satisfied the pangs
of appetite. gently shook the old senator
awake.
.'Must have had hearty luncheon. en-
. senator" he said TO the distinguished
Old man.
I haven't had mouthful of luncheon
sir said the senator. rubbing his eyes
and rising from the deep chair. 1T was
/ the uoweT of suggestion that put me tt
! sleep-watching that extraordinary mix
rure YOU We're loading into your system
: We'll" the official started 10 say
, shall we take Up that matter
No" interrupted the senator we
! better not now. TN send my young man
around TO see you and let him get ma
matter untaugied. If he can. Maybe ne !
be able. with his youth stu upon him. 4
stand seeing you introduce those hun
dredweiRhtS OF peculiar provender mt
Your Internal economy. but | am no
/ equal TO it, And the senator went away