New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-29

[FRoM THE TRIBUNE BURzAC.1

washington. Febru4ry =
SECRETARY TAFT No EASY MARK-"-secre-
tary Taft was hurrying away from the White
House after Fridays Cabinet meeting. when one %
TIE newspaper correspondents pursued him down
the steps from the office building ard asked him
question Teistin 70 the Istsmus OF Panama =, .D
state Department. he asked as he stopped IN ths
That may be agreed MS intsriocutor. Out
soT I'M iItsrssts and know good dear s5oIt-so
thought I'd ask you. instead Of secretary Hay.
a. N SSs sy sS6ti f f1ct tSat you ask me Be-
cause you think I'm easier mark than Secretary
HARD on THE OTHER sENAToR.-Pro6soiy
for the first time IN his Iong public career reiec
ton has been cast on the word OF Senator Platt OF
Connecticut and in this Instance Il must be ad-
uitted the reflection was possibly unconscious
Senator Plat and Senator Spooner have adjoining
committee rooms and their respective messengers
two dfgnded colored men. great friends. albeit
they have a certain jealousy regarding the impor-
lance Of their respective masters. Recently caller
inquired Of Mr.. spooners messenger Il the sena-
noting. as he believed. a sceptfcal expression on
the fsee q 'a s Hsfor Psfs s s se
always ten the truth about such thinss" Wen
I'm glad to get the truth outside their doors. re-
Piled the yS-to- can you say ss much COR me
then replied. slowly. Well. SIR. can speak for
my Senator. sir
BARRELS OF MATCHEs-There are two things
dear to the senior Senator from Massachusetts
Nr HOar One is the long established habit OF the
Senate the other IS his little Joke. By a recent n
uovation the venerable Senator has been deprived
OF both, and he * seriously upset Many years
ago. when the present form OF parlor match was
first placed on the market. II packed IN uftls
round wooden boxes. closely resembling a barrel b
shape At that time the Senate placed an order
for these matches and the Specifications prescribed
the little round boxes. This form OF package has
senate could not be changed. and accordingly the
match Trust has been required 70 make SUI
dersn6s Recently. however. the hOrrfd form OF
progress has made its appearance at the Senate end
Of the Capitol and TIE usual paseooard boxes have
replaced the former style OF package, and thereby
IaUqs this tale. 1t has long been the custom for
Senator HOa- whenever any one Inquired for a
match TO reply. We have barrels OF them" and
boxes disappearing. and the senator Is Ike
child that has lost is doll, because be can
longer perpetrate his little joke
HE FOUND WAI4KER.-Rear Admiral John O.
vz-orer devoteS more tire to canal matters than
N fashion plates and could hardly be called spicS
81 sDar in the civilian clothes he wears at his
vgorE A stranger would be far more likely 20 take
Admiral Walker for countryrlan than retired
~ officer His long wtiskers are OF the type so
ro,rlar in rural dramas. and his rolling walk
might well be taken for the movement acquired BY
following a plough
ri4or ~ the Corcoran Building and asked pertly.
Con YOU tell me where Z VIII find Walker
Yes Admiral Walker replied Just come with
THE dapper young fellow followed Admiral Walker
tr+o his office The admiral took seat behind his
desk and invited the young man TO sit down
asked ~ the young man. who began TO squrm un-
easily IN his CHAIR