The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1905-02-15
The NATIONAL CAPITAL
Side Lights on Public Men at
Washington.
COINAGE OF A POLITICAL PHRASE
How Congressman Castor Of Penn
sylyania Became Responsible For
q New One-severe shock Received
by n Senator'S secretary - Damon
and Pythins Of the senate.

q New One-severe shock Received
BY n Senator'S Secretary Damon
and Pythins Of the senate.
Congressman George A. Castor Of
Pennsylvania. who was recently elect
Ell second time, Is responsible Tor the
coming of new phrase In politics,
which Ii, 1--WE got to have It," says the
Washington correspondent Of the st.
Louis Globe Democrat. When Mr.. Cas-
tor had got fairly warm In his seat he
made visit to the departments at
Washington in the interests Of bis con-
stituents and to bis surprise found that
nearly all of the positions worth hav-
Ing were tied down under the civil
service blanket He was annoyed, but
not discouraged.
One day, calling on the head of a
bureau, he asked for the appointment
Of one OF his constituents to a subordi-
nate laboring position which did not
come within the classified service. The
official, for some reason or other, was
not able to accommodate him and re-
marked:
There Is no way OF getting this
place at present. Besides, 1t don't
amount to much anyhow"
Then the congressman told the OFF,
cial story. 1t concerned three men
who went out cunning. They got lost
In the woods aud wandered around
aimlessly for nearly twenty-four hours.
They were almost famished from hum
ger. Presently the leader of the party
saw little chipmunk roosting on the
stump of tree. He turned to one of
his companions and said: Get that.
Do you hear? Get that"
II can't" was the weak reply. Its
too far of. My aim isn't very good
now, and. besides, it's too small any
how,
The first man turned to the objector
and said declsively:
lit may be small and 1t may be
skinny. but we've got to get 1t or
starye."
The congressman, turning to the
head of the department after finishing
this story, said.
"And that's the way with me. These
appointments may be small and may
not have much meat on them, but I've
got to get them"
Nine out of ten persons who address
letter to a senator or representative
mark the envelope personal" believ-
ing that unless the communication Is
thus marked 1t will never come under
the eye OF the member Of congress,
but will be disposed OF by his private
secretary, says the Cincinnati CONNER
cial-Tribune's Washington correspond
ent. A few persons, however. recog-
nize the futillty Of addressing letter
In that way, knowing that, with few
exceptions. the private secretaries han
die all the personal mail, although of
course 1t comes under the eye of tho
senator or representative after the Sec
retary has first perused 1t.
One such person addressed letter to
Senator Albert j. Beveridge Of Indiana
few days since. The envelope had
the familiar personal" mark on 1t, and
the senator's secretary. Thomas r.
Shipp. opened 1t as usual, but he re-
ceived a severe shock. He found a sec
ond envelope inside, duly sealed and
with this inscription:
Mr.. Secretary Now that you have
gone this far In opening a letter which
wish Senator Beveridge alone to open,
please back up"
Ehipp backed UP.
Senator's Philander G. Knox and Win
throp III. Crane are as Damon and
Pythias, says the San Francisco Ex-
aminer's Washington representative.
They have seats close to one another;
they were sworn In simultaneously.
Instantly there sprang up at Washing
ton mutual fascination for each 9th
er.
Knox waits for Crane to go to the
luncheon room. Cranes carriage takes
the two away when the senate has ad-
journed for the day. When one goes to
the White House. the other goes too.
They remind one Of two boys arriving
at college who get together In COM
mon sympathy and for mutual comfort
and ever afterward may be found the
best and warmest of friends.
The Hon. Bird s. Mcclure, delegate
from Oklahoma, recently received a let
ter from a constituent which read as
follows, says the New York Worlds
Washington correspondent:
Dear Mr.. Mcclure Il enjoyed that
last package OF garden and flower seeds
you. sent me very much. wish you
would send me some more garden
ge6da aud send few flower seeds to
Hiy wife. But please do not send her
any canary seeds. II you do, she might
eat them and try to sing. and. God
knows. have troubles enough now"
Summer girls and Summer board
ers'' are terms that are well known.
Representative Edwin G. Burleigh Of
Maine has invented b new summer