The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-12-23

DIV a ITlend 10 aIIGOO a lecture one EVEN
ing at the areopagus. The lecturer, il
happened, chose as his topic the life
and military career OF Hannibal As
Hannibal returned from the lecture.
which was anything but complimentary
TO him. he was asked by his friend what
he thought Of II.
His reply continued Jenkins calm
~. Ats the gentleman from Tennessee
like the wedding garment he has 50 elo-
quntly described
; TAT this Foote, a very excitable man,
was demanding that Jenkins should
state what Hannfbars reply was. /
know what he intends TO imply shout
ed Foote. I know what Hannibal said.
He said the lecturer was an old fool
The feeling was very tense. and
there seemed to be trouble ahead" con-
tinued the venerable Virginian, but
Jenkins kept his temper. replying:
mo. Hannfoal's reply, as it has come
/ down to me was far different from what
the gentleman has said, although 1 am
not, like him, a classical scholar. Han
nibals reply was: AS a general rule
civilians are not competent military
critics
I'm a the body was in an up
roar and what threatened to be a tragic
incident became humorous in the ex-
treme."
One of the very convenient seats IN
J the House Of Representatives Is &C.
cupied by Mr.. George F. Huff. of n
sylvania- At his side sits MI. w. o.
Smith, of the same state. Republicans
coming over from the Senate have a
! %-0n TSro6ilnotinn f1r Mr. IrffftC CaaT
He has talked about putting a barbcd
wire fence around it, that it might not
be pre-empted every time he steps out.
Not a long time g a little man with
| sharp, distinctive featurers, the hair
on the back of his head all frowZ!ed.
sauntered down the aisle, and, like
hundreds of others before him dropped
into the Huff seat. Not long afterwald
Mr.. Huff returned.
| His colleague, Mr.. Smith, seeing him
impatient, observed to the man with
frowzled hair:
MIR. Huff there is anxious for his
seat. Won you kindly give it up to
him?"
The stranger compiled politely and
with alacrity, AMI. moving to another
part of the hall was treated with spe-
cial difference by other members. Now
Mr.. Smith, of Punxutawney. Is doing
in his thought, for he inquired
the name of the stranger and learned
that it was Senator Spooner.
! If Representative Greene, of Massa-
chusetts, and other legislators have
heir way the Capitol will before long
become the center of a subway system.
An underground street, with means cf
rail communication. is contemplated be-
tween the House and the new office
building now in process or erection
just south of 3 street. The same idea
has been preached in influential senate
circles for the new office to be erected
for the convenience of the statesmen ac
that end Of the Capitol.
Now Mr.. Greene comes forward with
a bill to construct a subway between
the Capitol and the government print
ing office. He proposes that it shall be
utilized in the transportation of ov-
eminent documents.
Senator Kean rarely takes UP the
gayel as a Presiding officer without
someone attempting fun at his expense.
Yesterday the trrouble maker was Sem
ator Martin, of Virginia.
A little bill being under cons'dera-
ton, Mt. Kean was speeding Its pas
sage Shall the bill be read a third
time?" he inquired, calling for the ayes,
of which there was none, and then fo"
the noes.
Mo- exclaimed Senator Martin.
There was a halt in the proceedings.
Then Mr.. Kean smiled, declared that
the bill would be read a third time IN
with the bit of pleasantly at al end
the Senate proceeding with it sgrrist of
minor bills
. Representative Holiday, of Indiana.
when in meditative mood sometimes
tits his head far back in his chair.
looks into the gray ceiling of the hall cf
Representatives, and allows his beard
to assume a horizontal position. Yes
: terday he was in that kind of a medita-
tive MOOD when a gray, old man slip
J ped into the seat beside him.
Say, Holiday" called the man III
the rear after a few moments.
The Indiana man reused himself aud
turned around to see. 1t was Speaker
: Cannon.
There are just t~hirty-one," said the
Speaker.
"Thirty-one what?" said Holiday.
"Thirty-one hairs in your bald head"
%rejoined the Speaker friskily. Il know
: because l lave counted them.
Secretary Bennett has a wonderful
variety of Senate articles in MS official
possession. Every year the law requires
him, as well as other officials at The
Capitol, to render an account of the
property on hand. The list in the sta
t~ionarv room is the longest. 1t includes
one suggestive item Of sixty-four cork
screws. a good supply of which it IS
apparently deemed prudent to keep on
hand for sale. Nine quarts of black
sand, worth so cents a quart, five pin
cushions. and eighty-two key rings are
among the articles of equipment for
this DEPARTMENT Of the Senate's opera
tons.
Luxurious as the House end of the
Capitol is getting TO be, it does not yet
vie in all the conveniences to be found
in the rooms under Secretary Benefits
immediate eye. There are clocks of
numerous types-observatorv clocks.
marble clocks, and clocks u~nclassihed.
Mahogany wood boxes also abound IN
J thnt $50 &c IL H.-s.oi l1lr-