New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-26
qualifying clause which invariably detracts from
the strength OF his assertions.

Quaufy1ng clause which invariably dctr2cts from
the strength OF his assertions.
When the Senator leaves the Senate II will be
with one serious regret. As chairman OF the Com
mittee Public Buildings and Grounds he be-
convinced Of the adVsability OF providing for
the construction Of public building. opposite the
State. War and Navy Building. for the accommods-
ton the departments OF State. Justice and Com
merce and Labor. Preliminary plans pro-
pared and looked attractive that the Senator be-
came enamoured Of them and conceived the idea
that no could leave no fitting monument 20
his eight years service in the Senate than the
beautiful structure which the architects had de-
signed. Early and late he labored for his pet
measure, and finally. the session drawing to
a close he succeeded in having It made the ''unhn-
ished business before the Senate" Then he sent
for a newspaper friend and suggested that tho
sketch of the building and a detailed description
would make an admirable Sunday article He
offered his friend the picture Of the building, but
the correspondent forgot to take it with him. He
did not forget however. to 60 at once to the man
ayers Of the Senate to ascertain their plans with
regard to the Fairbanks bill. In confidence they
told him the Public Building bill was to be used
as a stopgap until the Panama Civil bill ready
for consideration that Fairbankss enthusiasm
would prevent HIS approaching the true situation,
and that while he pressed his measure unde-
sirable legislation could get through. When the
Panama bill ready the Fairbanks bill
laid the table. to the Indianan's great disap-
pointment This suggested a story told by Bayard
Taylor which went the rounds of the Senate. The
story is that Taylor. returning to his home one
evening, discovered a crowd around the court
house. What is the occasion OF all this crowd?'
inquired Taylor IVY dis de great punko case"
replied the HAT you not heard of de great
punko case?" Taylor said he had not. ''Vell 1 can
dell you all apout Id. replied the German 81 vas
dere." You there" exclaimed Taylor in sur
prise. Then, why did you not stop it?" "Ah. you
see replied the German. Il de mand vot got
punkoed" and so it was said that Fairbanks could
tell all about it, for He de man vot got
punkoed."
Much fun has been made of the senior Senator
because OF his reluctance to become an avowed
candidate for the Vice-Presidency His position
IN this regard. however, always consistent and
he told the writer that he not a candidate and
would be glad TO the nomination go elsewhere
On the other hand he believed that man should
resist the consensus OF opinion Of Republican
vention. and. If he called upon make the
sacrifice. he would not refuse This his atti-
tude throughout the period anterior to the
ton Last Saturday he assured the writer that his
position had not changed. and that he wanted the
convention TO act. not result OF electoneer-
ing by the Indiana delegation. by himself but in
accordance with the judgment OF a majority Of the
delegates acting solely for the best interests Of
the Republican party. 1T must be the untram-
nelled wish OK the convention" saId the Senator
"and IL It is 7 win not refuse" That was his
position up TO the hour OF his nomination and no
actual electioneering done in his behalf
The day that Senator Fairbanks changed hats
with Senator Billy Mason. of Illinois, couple of
years ago. was Of the saddest in the Indianians
memory. 1t Is not often that THE laugh" is d.
rected toward him. but when he searched the cloak
rooms In vain for his tile" and could only find a
hat three sizes too large. and then had TO pass
through the corridors and along the streets with
that monstrous coal scuttis over his ears he made