The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-05-29
knot by nominating ttttl

pledged to another candidate and felt
pledged TO another candidate and felt
in honor bound to stand by his man.
lie therefore opposed the suggestions
of his own nomination, but it was of
no avail, for the convention was
stampeding in his direction. Finally
he struck on an cNpedirnt. Mount
ing chair, he announced that he
was not yet twenty-five, the constl-
tutional age. This of course settled
the matter, and his candidate was
named. In his self abncgation, how
ever, Mr.. Bailey had failed to state
that he would have been old enough
before the next congress met. Two
years later he announced himself
openly as a candidate and was nomi-
mated hands down.
Bailey's first speech in congress
was a revelation to the older men,.
bcrS. 1t related to the rules commit
tee, or "houSe machine. and so wen,
into the history and Fundamental
principles of the subject that it made
the Texan. who was then the young
est member of the body, marked
man from that day. lie was congrat-
ulated by leading men on both sides
of the chamber. even Thomas r.
Reed adding his praises.
No Mean Antagonist.
When Bailey became minority
leader Of the house he was often pit
ted against Reed. who was then
Speeker The clashes of the two were
worth journey to see. Rec WAS
more nimble and had keener ami
more sarcastic wit. besides being Il
more experienced parliamentarian.
but the Texans solid qualities. his
mastery of his subjects and his force
as debator made him no mean an
tagonist even for the man from
Maine.
After going to the senate Bailey
one day got into a controversy with
the irrepreSsible Bcveridge. Til,
Texan thought he had been insult,',i
by the HuoSier senator and after the
body adjourned went tn him aud de-
manlcd rctraction. This Bevcrii@o
refused t" give. Bailey thercu)o;
seized the Indiana man by the thrrai
and chnkcd him rather severely
cll."r sea 'rrS lu.,E.d bcr.' Il III,
W. -, T. the Texan nw:..
Tie up>il"t Of this ulliorian,!t If
fair came only recently. Senate,
Bailey was offered the riiucrity lcai-
ership of the upper house and de,
clined it on the ground that he was
not sufficiently amiablc, evidently
referring 20 the Beverldge incident
Despite his refusal of the Gnma!
leadership, however, Bailey is the ,,l.,
Questionable minority leader of tin:
United States senate.
Admired His Nerve.
Joseph Weldon Bailey was born in
Copiah county, Miss, Oct. 6. 1868
He was self willed boy and ran
away from home to keep from going
t" school, but after roughing it for
time returned with chastened
spirit and set to work in earnest in
gaining an education. So well did
he succeed that he was admitted to
the bar at the aye Of twenty. a year
later ne was district elector on the
Cleveland and Hendricks tickt. His
native county did not furnish the
field he desired for his talents, how
ever, and an uncle, Joseph Weldon
Of Philadelphia, sent the young man
money to go to Texas. Bailey hung
out his shingle in Gainesville, Tex,
in 1885. Dressed in the old time
statesman garb-all Of black, with
long coat, low cut vest, white tie,
broad soft hat-and hair hanging be-
low his collar, the six foot youth
made sensation even in Texas. This
garb had not seemed out of place
in Copiah county, but it was a triffle
exaggerated for Gainesville. In sa-
loon one day cowboy made some re-
marks about the white tie. Bailey
said nothing, but left the saloon. A
few minutes later he reappearcd with
a revolver. Hc invited any of the
many cowboys present to make furth-
er remarks about the Bailey neck
wear. None of them accepted the
challenge, but they admired the nerve
of the young lawyer so much that
they have been whooping it up for
Joe Bailey ever since. IT,
In 90 NJ, DALAI L.