The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1907-08-07

cited MS characterization or n western
judge whom he had introduced t,
President Cleveland late in the cam
paign of 1883. After this Judge re
turned home lie gave out an interview
in which he professed to quote tn,
president as having given up the cleo
ton because of the treachery of Sen
ator Hill of New York, Mayor Hewitt
and others. Blackburn characterized
the whole statement as false ant
wound up his sizzling roast in thi.
fashion:
II can do no more than 20 crave the
presidents pardon for having beer
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 well. 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..
Roosevelt's 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 trip to the country.
How are you, Joe" his friend ask
ed.
I'm up against it," was the reply.
II lost the best part of my baggage en-
route"
"Did you misplace 1t, or was it
stolen?" his friend inquired sollcitous-
ly.
Neither" said Blackburn. "The
cork came out"
When questioned about this story
later, however, Blackburn denied It.
"Not a word of truth in it," he said.
You know would be more careful
of the cork"
Blackburn's fOndness for speechmak-
Ing is matter of common knowledge.
At one time he was on an outing trip
with some friends along the Kentucky
river when 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-
joyng 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 man her
who wouldn't die for you" 81 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
speech" .-.
One day Secretary OF War Taft ap-
peared before the military committee OF
the senate. of which Blackburn was
member, advocating the view that Jun
Tor army officers should not marry.
"But how" asked Blackburn. "can
you make that accord with the admin
istration views on race suicide?" .r~ =
Secretary Taft met this question with
q Characteristic roar of laughter.
Blackburn was stanch silver man
and therefore opposed to the repeal Of
the purchasing clause OF the Sherman
law. Representative Caruth and
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-
lutions favoring the repeal
what do care for the resolutions OF
the townsT rejoined Blackburn. They
are passed by bankers, lawyers and
dry goods merchants, aud no country
hieH were Ut tile uleetlHgs.
allow do You known asked Caruth.
How do know? Why. Asher. !
know IL daried we'll Every town in.
Kentucky Is reached by trllgate. and
the poor country people haven't money
enough to pass them. That's the rea-
son | know. Here, Jim. give these
fellows n drink Of Bourbon and let
them go"
Blackburn one day invited Secretary
Shaw and Vice President Fairbanks.
who was then senator, to have some
thing. When Shaw was asked what he
would take. he replied:
well, l guess I'll have a glass of
Blackburn then turned to Fairbanks
and said:
"And what will you have, senator?"
I'll have glass of mOxie," was the
reply.
The bartender said to Senator Black
burn
"And what's yours. senatorf"
"Oh," said he. scarcely able to con-
ceal his disgust, II guess I'll have a
% ~, L.