The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-07-31
MORGAN Of ALABAMA
Anecdotes Related About the
Veteran Statesman.
INSTANCES OF HIS ENDURANCE

ms IANCES Ut HIS eNUUkANCe
How Hs Made the Long Distance
Speaking Record Sample Of His
Ability as an Advoeats-Lovsd to
Joke-How He Named a Street.
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 Aldrich, who in these last
hours of congress shared the leader
ship with Senator Hale, says the New
York Tribune. 1t 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-
ers and the senate ste~nographers that
altogether he had spoken more than
100000 words on this one topic. Hour
after hour he held the door, 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 Aldrich flnan-
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 a night session. Mr.. Nor
gan had the floor and yielded for a 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
her 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 it 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 we'll known thieving pro-
| clivities was on trial for stealing Il
mule. Mr.. Morgan defended and clear
ed him. AS lawyer and client were
walking out Of the courtroom Mr.. Nor
gan said:
"Rastus, did you steal that mule?'
"Well, Marse Morgan, 1t was jest like
this: I really thought l did steal dat
mule, but after what you said to de
jury I was convince I didn't"
1t is not generally known perhaps
that Senator Morgan was one threat
ened with arrest for alleged completely
In the assassination Of Lincoln. says
the Washington Post.
OF course Senator Morgan was not
only innocent. but actually did not
hear Of Lincoln's death until a week
after it had occurred. He was then a
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. ut Selma, to arrest him and send
him to Washington for completely in
the Lincoln assassination. Senator
Morgan went into his house, atUred
himself in his Confederate generals
uniform, with starred epaulets, belt,
sword and other accouterments com
plete. Then he saddled his plow horse
and rode to Selma, where he presented
himself to General Macarthur.
"Good morning, general" he said.
"Good morning. general" replied
Macarthur, recognizing Morgan's rank.
"FOr what am I indebted for this
visit?"
II have conn to be sent to Wash
ington," remarked Morgan. II under.
stand you have an order to send me
there"
General Macarthur expressed surprise
to learn that the existence Of the order
was known and smiled when General
Morgan told him that ex-Confederates
had not lost their habit Of acquiring in
formation. Then he remarked that the
order would not be obeyed-or at least
not until there had been a reasonable
delay. This did not suit Morgan. who
wanted to go to Washington to present