Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1906-07-12
JOHN G.. CARLISLE
AT SEVENTY ONE

"hFie on clearer intellect, no
more logical mind and no more con
vineing tongue than are possessed
hy the distinguished Kentuclsian
who was for many years prominent
and Influential in public life as rep
resentive and senator "a Congress.
Fair and just. as well as able. he
commanded always the respect and
admiration OF political foes as well
- friends In 1896 IL was the won
iderfally lucid address Of Mr.. Carlisle
IN explanation OF the principles invol-
we'd in the tight for honest money
and in description or the everyday
details of finance" the nrst OF which
~as delivered at the Auditorium in
Chicago, that did as much as any
one other thing TO turn "the plain
people" against free silver. The
fiexibility OF the statesmau's mind as
revealed in these speeches was all
the more astonishing when consider
I'd in the light of his silver record in
Congress.
When he left Washington in 1897
Mr.. Carlisle did not have dollar: he
had lived humbly and generally In
boarding houses or plain hotels
nearly all OF his long years OF public
service. Today at II he earns large
fees and has recently purchased a
modest country place in Connecticut
where he plans to live the remainder
of his days in comfort. Passing
through the gates of the New York
Central station a few mornings ago
along the concourse alive with the
throng or commuters. business and
professional men and "swels" who
we're crowding cityward. Mr. Carlisle
Afforded an opportunity for close
study OF his onward "makeup"by one
who had opportunity 10 observe him
daily for many years. and this is what
he saw
A man OF ; feet 10, with sIoping
shoulders. shuiIline gait and duh gray
ayes. entirely unmoyed by the hustle
and apparently obliyious to his sur
ir"'Ddings Hfs, face, devoid or mus.
tache or whisker was nnshaven. It
being Monday morning. and bore un.
nlstakable marks of the owners
fondness for the chewing OF tobacco.
o ! abit that he was even at nat earn
hour indulging in AIth ugh The hear
7'as oppressive. he wore ing. BLACK.
winter. heavy rrock coat. baggy. we'll
worm trousers OF like material. rus
~ shoes, and. more than all. that
abomination in The eyes Of all right
thinking people-a white lawn tie.
But II was this great mans top
piece. that, without intending play
on words. without the climax. Nertb
ing like 1t. probably has been seen
since Horace Greeley passed along
the same path in his daily Journeys
between New York and Chappaaua.
II was while title OF the most
altitudinous style, worn and weather
beaten, encircled by four-inch
/ mourning band with a rim made
aimsy with long usage. The tout
ensemble of this figure was some
ihing wonderful TO behold, interest
ng as well as amusing. II did not
'y "uy means suggest Reuben, for
no jay fresh from Jayville could by
he Exercise Of any amount OF ingen-
Ety look as John G. Carlisle looked
in his latter-day environement that
bright June morn. Although an i'm
portant figure I'm the very center OF
cdyity surrounded by weaItr and
be influence OF modern life ne
seemed relic Of the past. product
W the stage coach days when ho was
a struggling lawyer in Covington.
whose modest eyes did not dare to
look MP even to the glories Of Gin
oinnai across the muddy river. His
costume can be accounted FOR only
as an eccentricity OF genius. or. to-
do nose justice to the wearer. as one
/ Of the privileges OF the great
Providence Journal
In this age OF spelling reform. II