Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19
A STRENUOUS
STATESMAN

One afternoon last week the city Discov-
erer left his ONCE an hour or so earlier than
usual and started out for one of his long
and favorite rambles about Washington ana
| Its confines. The air was cool and snappy
the sunshine just warm enough TO be pleas
ant, and the Discoverer strobe along like a
! man OF half his age. his stout cane tapping
| the roadway and his mild blue eyes beam
| ing behind his goid-rmmed glasses.
| Inc biscoverer had not gone very far to-
ware the outskirts OF the city when he saw
stroiiing along ahead OF him a tall and
| angular individual. clad in frock coat
somewhat shiny along the seams and wear
ms tan SILK hat OF none too recent
vintage. The Discoverer wasn't nartic-
1 uiariy interested in the stranger bur as he
caught up with him his customary amiabii-
Good afternoon '
not smile - ' "'u
Good afternoon" he said SLOWLY ,hrou,-
ing back his shoulders and COMPRISING hIs
! lips. while frown wrinkled his brow
beautiful bit of weather. is Il no.7"
| SAID the CITY Discoverer as he breathcd
| deeply of the crisp, cool air.
For those who have the time and dis
position 10 enjoy it,, replied the angular
stranger, with gusty sigh. 1.-The weather
is peasant enough. But for those-I should
say for one-like myself. who is charged
with high, grave and imperative duty to
| the people of this fair land. the weather
hath no charms"
| Goodness" thought the CITY niscovarer
as he eyed the stranger curiously II won
der what ails the man?" And he inquired
sympathetically. II with something OF cur
iosity: You say your duties are such that
you have no time TO enjoy the weather.
Precisely replied the tall and angular
stranger, furrowing his brow. II have SO
much before me that must needs be grave
| and serious and forgetful OF all things save
those of great Importance. When you came
along l was just figuring out what should
do first. There is a great demand for rail-
road rate legislation throughout the colln-
try, but the members of the national legis-
iature seem only lukewarm on the subject.
L shall make IL my business to that a
radical law is passed and put into effect at
this session of Congress"
Gracious" said the City Discoverer to
himself. Il wonder If he knows what big
contract he has on his hands? He must be
n man of great influence and immense Inn
portance in the affairs OF the country"
Then, sir" said the tall, angular stran-
GER as he stared fiercely at the Discoverer.
i do not like the manner in which the Sem
ate last year treated the reciprocity trea-
| ties. l propose 10 take up those treaties
and see that they are passed. There has
been entirely too much trifiing with this i'm
portant subject"
Heavens" thought the Discoyerer as he
eyed the stranger with more curiosity than
ever. Il wonder If this can be Senate
Aldrich of Rhode Island? I've heard that
believe even he could"
And another thing" interrupted the an
Suldr stranger. he showed his silk hat on
the back of his head and elevated a bony
right hand, Il understand the President de-
sires what he terms readjustment of the
existing tariff schedules. Those schedules
should not-nay, they shall not-be tam
pered with l shall make IL my business
tomorrow to see the President and tell him
my views. and If he then persists in his
present fdeas-well-we shall see. Is it pos
sible that the glorious protected industries
or this free people are to have their life
blood Slapped by the vampires Of low tariff?
| Is ii possible that the tail feathers of the
American eagle that glorious bird of free
dom, emblematic of the best and highest In
our national life. are to be made to droop?
| Is it.
Excuse me-" said the Discoverer inter
rupting the eloquent angular stranger with
some tlmldity and glancing around to see II
the loud and fne-cut defamation had at
tracted any attention, but Is there any
thing else you are going to have changed?'
Many things, replied the tall stranger,
after he had caught his breath. THE gov
eminent is spending entirely too much
money The senseless extravagance OF
those IN high places is plunging this proud
ana prosperous nation toward the vortex
of the great whirlpool of impaired financial
credit; the il-advised expenditures and
wanton waste in our government depart
ments, which are rapidly creating a condi-
ton of insufferabie inefficiency. must be
stopped, aye, even as the lavish and sense
less and immoral
What else have you in mind?' interrupt
ed the Discoverer, hurriedly.
"A great deal more" cried the angular
stranger, mopping his brow and breathing
heavily The financial system of this i'm
n,ense land, by which the favored few OF
the money kings of Wall street are fattened
by a paternal and patroniZing political
party, should be, aye. shall be, revolution
lied IL this voice still has the power to
make itself heard throughout the land. The
Panama canal shall be built, and built with
out the leeches of graft leaving their marks
on its fair fame. or else this heart shall
have ceased to beat and this voice shall
have been gathered to the eternal chorus
Anything else?' inquired the Discoverer
And" cried the angular stranger. as he
lowered to his full height. darted his pierre
ing glance at nearby tree box and shook
his clenched hand at the sky. the people of
my section shall have free seeds and the
people of the thriving little town near my
home shall have public building. Aye.
they shall have it. or else this bosom OF
mine shall"
My dear sir" said the Discoverer, earn
estly, as he prepared to leave his angular
and eloquent companion, Il have been very
much interested and edited by this CONVEX
sation. Won't you tell me who you are?"
The tall and angular stranger extended
his hand and permitted himself to smile
graciously and condescendingly on the Dis
coverer
Sir" he said, 81 am the newly elected
member of the House of Representatives
seat in two weeks"
Goodness, gracious mel" muttered the
Discoverer to himself as he stepped out
brskly TO continue his stroll. "A new
member of Congress from Sqeedunk. Who
would have thought it?'