Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1907-06-17

As n sample Of the singing language |
Blackburn sometimes uses may be |
cited his characterization of a western |
Judge whom he had introduced to |
President Cleveland late I'm the cam |
paign Of 1883. After this judge re- |
turned home he gave out an Interview |
IN which he professed TO quote the |
president as having given up the cleo
ton because Of the treachery Of Sen
and others. Blackburn characterized
the whole statement as false and
wound up his sizzling roast in this
fashion:
II can do no more than TO crave the
presidents pardon for having been
misled into introducing to him carl
cature upon humanity, for whose ex-
istence the Lord in fair dealing owes
an apology TO mankind"
Here Is another sample of the sort of
English Blackburn sings when he Is
feeling we'll He was detected read
Ing the presidents message, and as he
read he chuckled to himself. Finally
one Of his colleagues approached the
senator from Kentucky and asked for
the joke.
1T has just occurred to me-" solemn
ly observed the senator, that Mr..
Roosevelts English does not coruscate
with the pyrotechnic scintillations of
obsolescent linguosity which so ex-
tensively illuminated the lucubrations
and mutations of President Cleveland"
Since he halls from Kentucky many
OF the tales concerning Blackburn
naturally relate to the beverage which
cheers. Here is one: A friend recently
met the ex-senator at the station on
his return from a trip to the country.
How are you, JoeT' his friend ask
ed
I'm up against It," was the reply.
81 lost the best part of my baggage en-
route"
Did you misplace it, or was it
stolenT his friend inquired solicitous-
ly.
Neither" said Blackburn. "The
cork came out"
When questioned about this story
later. however, Blackburn denied it.
mot a word Of truth in It," he said.
"You know / would be more careful
OF the cork"
Blackburn's fondness for speechmak-
ing is a matter of common knowledge
At one time he was on an outing trip
with some friends along the Kentucky
river when a few dozen residents of
the neighborhood Joined the party. The
food was Of the best, and there was
. plenty Of liquid refreshment. Black
burn, however, did not seem to be en-
n ioyiug himself One of his friends
asked him what was the matter. 81
don't like this crowd" Blackburn re-
! sponded Why. joe his friend re-
monstrated. there's not a man here
who wouldn't die for you" Il know
that" returned Blackburn. 'Its not
the quality I'm Directing to. but the
quantity The crowd is too big for an
anecdote and not big enough for a
speech"
One day Secretary of War Taft ap-
neared before the military committee Of
the senate. Of which Blackburn was a
member, advocating the view that jun
Tor army officers should not marry.
"But how" asked Blackburn, "can
You make that accord with the admin
istratpn views on race sucide?"
Secretary Taft met this question with
Characteristic roar Of laughter.
Blackburn was a stanch silver man
and therefore opposed to the repeal of
the purchasing clause Of the Sherman
law. Representative Caruth and q
party Of other Kentuckians called on
the senator and told him he was hurt
ing himself politically. as most of the
towns in the state were passing reso-
buttons favoring the repeal.
! What d I care for the resolutions of
/ the townsy rejoined Blackburn. "They
. are passed by bankers. lawyers and
4 dry goods merchants. and no country
& men were at the meetings"
How DO you knowg" asked Caruth.
How do / know? why. Asher. ]
n know IL darned well. Every town in
ii Kentucky Is reached by a tollgate, and
Fl the poor country people haven't money
ii enough 10 pass them. That's the rea-
son I know. Here, Jim, give these
fellows drink OF Bourbon and LET
them 60"
Blackburn one day invited Secretary
Shaw and Vice President Fairbanks
who was then senator. to have some
thing. When Shaw was asked whai he
would take, he replied:
well, / guess I'll have a glass OF
lemonade"
Blackburn then turned TO Fairbank:
and said:
"And what will you have, senatorT
"Ill have a glass Of moxie," was tn,
reply.
The bartender said TO Senator Black
hf1rn.