The Washington herald., 1907-01-22
HEARD AT HOTELS.

afor. "the Old Roman was seen at the
New Willard last evening SIR Thurman
told Herald reporter that he had gone
out Of politics. but that be still watched
tie game, as It was one OF the Interesting
phases Of our complex civilization.
The old Democratic party" said he,
seems in a bad way. and yet IL would
be rash man who would predict its
speedy dissolution Il Is a good deal Ike
the tabled phoenix, and we may expect
10 see II do the phoenix act again Except
for his own unnecessary and foolish pro-
nouncement in favor OF government own
ership Of railroads. I think Bryan
could undoubtedly De elected President
in 1908. This was q throwiug-away
Of the most glorious opportunity that
ever a man ia hts position had. His
road 70 the White House was easy but
for that nl-adyised speech in Madison
Square last summer. a speech that a vast
majority OF real Democrats promptly re-
pudiated
of course. Mr.. Roosevelt IS the CEN
tral figure in America commanding.
interesting. and unique agure-aud he viii
90 down in history as a very great Presi-
dent The country Is with him. for the
people in this age are not slow 10 recog-
nize the services of such a man. The
President has made it plain. I believe.
that he will not run again. and It will
put the Republicans 70 their trUmps %
beat Bryan, even In spite OF his govern
meht-oWnership fallaCies 7 can think Of
naIr dozen prominent men OF their
party who have been named in cOnneC-
ton with the 1908 nomination any one
Of whom would be overwhelmingly de-
feated by Bryan"
why should there be any attempt az
humbuggery or deceit over as reasonable
and just a proposition as IS involved IN
the increase OF the salaries OF Congress
menu" inquired that fearless and out
spoken young representative from Florida,
Hon Frank Clark, at the Shoreham.
i believe the American people under
stand the need Of raising the pay OF their
national lawmakers, and, for one. I am
willing 10 90 before my constituents on
that issue, knowing they viii sustain me.
/ am a new man IN Washington. and
didn't wish 10 seem presumptuous. but
the fact is that Congress has been too
tlmid in a matter Of such grave i'm
portance. II this starvation rate OF COM
/ pensatiOu is kept Up. we shall soon see
only two sorts Of men here-the very
rich, 20 whom the salary is Of no i'm
portance, and the incompetents. who
can't make a living IN private employ
ment.
We are losing some Of the best men IN
public life by this very fact OF Inadequate
recompense- Mr. TOwne. Of New York.
who is an admirable man and a first
rate legislator, IS going out voluntarily.
because he can't make both ends meet
on $500 a year. The State OF Colorado
is TO lose a very useful and intellectual
member, Mr.. H0gR, for the same reason.
and there are a score Of Ike instances.
We are living IN an age where dollars
90 but little further than dimes did in
the days Of our grandfa theirs, and We
should govern ourselves accordingly"
Congressman McLaChIan. Of California.
and Hector Baxter, a leading lawyer Of
Minneapolis, were sitting together in the
New Willard lobby. Both are Of straight
Scotch descent in the second generation.
II Ike you first rate, McLachlan." said
the shrewd attorney, but have Just
one thing against you. You have neg
/
dare say you don't understand a single
word OF the Gaelic"
What are you talking about. man7 I
don't understand Gaelic? Why. 7 was
brought up on it, my good father said
prayers n II every morning OF bis life.
I'll bet you a bottle Of the best Scotch
whisky Though ! don't drink that can
use the old tongue as readily as your
self
The challenge was accepted, and at
once the duel in Gaelic began. Bystan6-
ers heard the queer flow OF q strange
speech and wondered what manner OF
men and OF what race they were. Il was
difficult for a layman to say who won
where both seemed equally at home, and a
compromise was effected that did not
involve quite the whole OF the wager.
Our American way Of giving every man
a show for his white alley and OF not
prejudging his case. is to be admired"
said Mr. Ben ". Ritter, OF Durango, one
Of the leading lawyers OF Colorado, at the
New Willard. For that reason, I think
it only right that the public should not
form any hasty Judgment as % the merits
or character Of the Senator-elect from our
Statesmen Guggenheim. Mr.. GugRen-
helms integrity has never been ques-
toned. and when be states IN the most
positive way that he will come TO the
Senate uDtrammsled by any corporation
ties, and that he is an advocate Of the
progressive policies Of President ROoss-
welt his word should be accepted.
My belief IS that he comes to the Sen
ate with the Hottest and best motives
that can influence an American cittzsn.
He is not impelled by any mercenary
ideas. for be and his family have already
attained all the riches the heart OF man
could cOvet he distinctly states that his
sole purpose Is 10 serve the best interests
OF the people OF his State, and that he sx-
poets to devote all his talents and energies
TO that end. I do not 70 the least Ques-
ton his sincerity. and in common with
thousands OF the best people Of our State.
believe that he will acqult himself with
honor and credit throughout his Senate
rial career"
Hon. "San" Robertson. OF Louisiana,
who. with the exception Of Mr.. Bank
head. Of Alabama, is the Oldest member
on the Democratic side in point Of service,
has Just returned to Washington At the
expiration Of the present session Mr.
Robertson viii have been in the Houss
Of Representatives for twenty consecu-
tive years To the establishment OF his
friends here and throughout the South
he was defeated for the Democratic nom
ination last summer by Judge Favrot,
who. shortly after his election, slew a
townsman and former friend in a pri-
vate difficulty.
Mr.. Robertson" said a close friend at
the Riggs House, as certain Of returning
to Congress. He is one of the most use