The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-01-17

calls HIS E1rSt tOlnt Oh O10CH AhsA
Relates How David CuIberson En-
toyed 1t Until Davenport Carica-
tured Him-"You're Done Initiated"
Said Cnlberson.
These are the "reminiscences Of John
Sharp Williams, the Democratic lead
er of the house Of representatives, says
a Washington special dispatch to the
New York Times They were evoked
recently by some comments in MIR. Will
liams' hearing on the narrowing affair
on the opening day Of the session, when
young Charles S. Wharton of Chicago
sought from Mr. Williams information
concerning what he meant by the term
1.-The kids Of the house." which was ap-
piled by Mr.. Williams to the first term
ers in congress. 1t came about during
some criticism which the brilliant Mis-
sissippian was indulging in at the ex-
pense of the rules.
"Now, that boys all right" began
Mr.. Williams Hes got good face,
and l believe he's got good stuff in
him. He isn't half so much of kid
as was when first came to congress.
At that time l had not arrived at any
accurate measurements Of my own pro-
portions and those Of the universe in
general When l got off the train l
was little disappointed, because had
half expected that the president would
order out the Marine band to meet me
at the station.
after had been here Washington
a day or two and had got little better
adjusted, so that l could walk up to
the capitol without tripping over it, l
was glad l had brought along letter
Of introduction to old Dave CulbersOn.
l went to old Dave, showed him the let
ter and let him know that he was to be
my guide, philosopher and friend. re-
called afterward that old Dave only
grunted, but at the time that made no
impression on my mind.
and 1 used to go to old Dave and
seek his advice quite freely. l used to
get him to take me around among the
parliamentary pitfalls. Afterward re-
called that he didn't do it much, but
didn't notice that at the time.
''Of course as a new member l was
on the alert to watch all kinds Of legiS-
lation for chance to distinguish my
self After a few days the time came.
There was bill up which appropriated
$3.50 for some purpose or other, and, lis
tening attentively, l perceived that its
passage threatened the very founda-
Of hn I n
old Dave and said:
"'Ir. CulbersOn, this Is bad bill. 1t
ought to be beaten
Yes, l guess that's SO, John he
said.
well, can't we beat it, thenY per-
sisted.
"'Well, you see, John. these things
me very easy to beat
"'Well, Mr.. Culberson, wasn't it re-
ported from some committee"
eyes, John, 1 reckon it must have
been. These things generally are
"'Do you know who was on that
committee, Mr.. Culberson?
"'Yes, John. If l remember rightly,
w do vi tudL SOlAllltlCS.
"'Couldn't you have beaten it there,
Mr. Culberson?
"'Well, John, would have found it
very difficult
"Is there any way we can beat it
now, Mr.. Culberson?'
"'Oh, yes, John. 1t can be beaten by
a point of order
20 h,,I1
statesman Of Yazoo City. l leaped into
that aisle, raised my finger with a ter
rible gesture and shouted, "A point of
order, Mr.. Speaker
1.-THE proceedings came to an imme-
diate halt 1t hadn't occurred to any
body that any point Of order would lie
against the bill, and they all looked at
me with the most intense interest. The
chairman, as surprised as the rest,
called on me to state my point Of order.
Then it occurred to me that didn't
know what my point Of order was, and
turned around to ask my mentor, my
guide, my philosopher, my friend. He
wasn't in his seat. With a sinking
heart looked down the aisle and saw
Ills SudkllS SuOulucIS as uc uODDIcU AL
to the clOakrOOm.
IF hadn't had q sense Of humor I
would have been left up In the air in
the most ridiculous position ever seen
in the house. As it was. the position
was ridiculous enough. I had enough
sense Of humor to see how had been
done, and, turning around, said:
"Mr. Speaker, on further reflection
will withdraw my point Of order
"After that I gradually became &C
climated and shrunk In size as the
capitol grew larger and larger. To
old Dave, however, 1 was still the man
who had made the point Of order. Then
| one week there came into town an
artist named Homer Davenport, who
| used to seduce statesmen into posing
for him and then produce the most
! ungodly caricatures Of them In his pa
per.
AFTER he had been here two or three
| days he had spread such panic that
no statesman could be induced to go
anywhere near him. He got Walthall,
the most dignifed man in the senate,
| and drew a most infamous likeness Of
! him driving q hog. II Walthau had