The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-07-13
SENATOR MORGAN, ALABAMA


Six years ago, just as the Fifty-sev-
enth congress- was passing into history,
Alabama's veteran statesman, the late
Senator John Tyler Morgan, made the
long distance speaking record, forced
an extraordinary session OF the senate
and killed the asset currency bill Of
Senator Aldrioh, who In these last
hours Of congress shared the leader
ship with Senator Hale, says the New
York Tribune. It was the last night
except one Of a rather eventful session.
Senator Morgan had been speaking al
most every day for two weeks on the
question Of an isthmian canal. 1t was
estimated at the time by close observ-
ere and the senate stenographers that
altogether he had spoken more than
100000 words on this one topic. Hour
after hour he held the floor, and when
he had documents to be read he read
them himself instead Of sending them
to the clerk. 1t was thought that he
would never stop on the canal and that
he could not possibly have anything
to say on any other measure, especial
ly one so intricate as the AIdrich fnan-
cial bill.
On another occasion Senator Cullom,
as chairman Of the foreign relations
committee, was anxious to get a vote
on certain amendments to a treaty and
insisted on q night session. Mr.. Nor
gan had the door and yielded for re-
cess. He resumed at the night session
and spoke on for two or three hours,
Mr.. Cullom meanwhile keeping his seat
because he felt responsible for forcing
the senate to return late at night.
Shortly after midnight Mr.. Morgan
glanced across the aisle and saw Mr..
Cullom asleep In his seat. Senator
Morgan paused for some time, and
finally silence itself woke Mr.. Cullom.
The whole senate broke into laughter,
in which Mr.. Morgan participated. He
then proceeded with his speech until
Mr.. Cullom was forced to move an ad,
journment.
This wonderful endurance of the Ala
bama senator Is all the more remark.
able when 1t is considered that he was
feeble in early life and his disabilities
were a great trial to him during his
army career.
They tell to this day in Alabama this
story to illustrate Mr.. Morgan's ability
as an advocate, says the, New York
Herald:
A negro Of well known thieving pro-
clivities was on trial for stealing
mule. Mr.. Morgan defended and clear
cd him. AS lawyer and client were
walking out Of the courtroom Mr. Nor
gan said:
"RaBtus, did you steal that mule2"
"Well, MRrse Morgan, 1t WAS jest like
this: really thought l did steal dat
mule, but after what you said to de
jury was convince didn't"
1t is not generally known perhaps
that Senator Morgan was once threat
ened with arrest for alleged completely
In the assassination Of Lincoln, says
the Washington Post.
Va SOAAap 0GhAA0Af AOLAdn WnH nut
only innocent, but actually did not
hear Of Llncoln's death until a week
after It had occurred. He was then
farmer In Dallas county, his practice
Of law having been prohibited by the
federal authorities, and he was plow-
Ing corn when he heard that an order
had been received by General Near
thur, at Selma, to arrest him and send
him b Washington for completely In
he Lincoln assassination. Senator
Morgan went into his house, atttred
himself in his Confederate generals
Uniform, with starred epaulets, belt,
sword and other accouterments com.
plete. Then he saddled his pillow horse
and rode to Selma, where he presented |
llmself to General Macarthur.
"0ood morning, general" he said.
Good morning, general" replied
dcArthur, recognising Morgan's rank.
For what am l indebted for this
yisitr'
Il have come to be sent to Wash
ngton," remarked Morgan. 81 under.
Itand you have an order to send me
here"
General Macarthur expressed surprise
o learn that the existence Of the order
vas known and smiled when General
dorgan told him that ex-Confederates
lad not lost their habit OF acquiring In.
ormatton. Then he remarked that the
Fder would not be obeyed-or at least
lot until there had been a reasonable
clay. This did not suit Morgan, who
Vanted to so TO Washington to present
omS claims for destroyed cotton and
1as quite willing to travel at govern
1ent expense.
Il want to make one request of you,"
aid Morgan. when went into the
'ar had $4,000 In gold In a bank In
elma. When l came back from the
ar found that my gold had given
lace to $4,000 In Confederate money.
nth that $4,000 bought half a box
tobacco. With some OF the tobacco
secured coffee aud sugar and shoes
Y my family, and the rest of II went
u seventeen shoats, kept those