The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-03

John Sharp Williams. the leader OF the
Democratic minority on the floor OF the
House. and also Senator-elect from AIissis-
sippi enjoys a good story and knows
how 10 tell one He generally keeps a
number on tap ready for any emergency.
Several years ago" he said the other
day. alter settling himself in a large. com
Portable leather-covered chair in the
Democratic cloak room, and addressing
a number Of colleagues. II was dining al
a celebrated restaurant in New Orleans
and overheard a conversation between a
party OF Frenchmen at an adjoining table
that was quite interesting. to say the
least
They were discussing. II seems. affairs
mllitalre. and the part men OF French
extraction had played therein IN making
the history OF the world. Yes. there Is
no doubt. said one OF the group com
placently, but that the French people
excel the men of all other natiOnalities in
affairs militaire. Then he enumerated
quite a formidable list OF distinguished
French military men.
I believe spoke Up another member
OF the party. after taking a sip Of alb
sinshe, that the Americans have pro
duced number Of very creditabie mill
tary men. I understand that there was a
man in the Confederate army by the
name-er-ah. yes-RObert z. Lee. who
stood very hish as military commander
a. Yes, replied the first speaker. 7 Of
ten heard Gen. Beauregard speak very
favorably Of him."
MT. Williams win not take his seat IN
the Senate until March 4. 1911. He ex-
poets to be reelected TO the House OF
Representatives this year. and IL there
should be a political revolution and the
Democrats succeed in gaining control OF
the House in the Sixty-first Congress,
Mr.. Williams might have the unique dis
tincti0n OF being Speaker Of the House
while holding a certificate OF election TO
the Senate.
A friend pointed out the possible con-
tingency before him. and said: John
Sharp, you are in danger Of becoming a
regular Pooh Bah. First thing we know.
you will have yourself nominated for
President, just TO occupy your spare
tinler"
No" said Mr. Williams, looking very
serious. Il must draw the line at the
White House. Ny wife went there one
day. and made careful inspection OF the
premises. She reported it TO be too damp
and no place 10 raise young children, and
told me never to permit myself to be
for the Presidency. You see
hare my ordersl Every married man
viii understand how utterly impossible
it you'll be for me. under the circum-
stances, to accept a Presidential nomina-
tior from either OF the two great parties"
Tho Right Rev. Henry c. Potter, bishop
of New York. is the soul Of chivalry and
particularly fond Of a joke Not long
since Bishop Potter was journeying from
Philadelphia 10 New York, and he found
the smoking car full to overlooking. As
there is nothing the good bishop so thor
oughly enjoys as putting the fragrant
weed. the thought OF the ride without the
lonely mans solaee was more than he
could endure. SO he took refuge IN the
rear seat Of the adjoining car near an
open door, and proceeded to smoke be-
hind an ostentatiOusly spread newspaper
An was serene for a time. but presently
in came a severe-looking woman Of mid
die life. with large, aggressive grip and
in front of the eminent churchmsh. Then
She shifted and glared around, but the
bishop was deeply engrossed in his news
paper and apparently obliviOus of the
sensation he was creating. Next she
cleared her throat and fidgeted. and final
ly she asked in a loud tone OF voice II
any one had seen the conductor That
was not forthcoming. and
the bishop kept on reading his paper and
putting away at his cigar.
At last the woman bounced up, and go
ing ia his seat, tapped the offending
smoker on the shoulder.
Reverend Sir" she snapped. '.is this
the smoking carr"
why, ali, the smoking carp said
Bishop Potter. innocently looking around,
no. l do not believe that Il is. but If
you wish to smoke l have not the least
objection "
Redheld Proctor. United States Senator
from Vermont. has the most remarkable
voice of any man in Congress. When he
addresses the Senate the sounds resemble
the exploding OF giant frecraekers or
small chunks OF dynamite After an
oratien by the Senator from the Green
Mountain State the atmosphere OF the
Senate chamber seems TO be filled with
flying particles that have been dislodged
from their resting places by the eruption.
Although well into the seventies, Mr.
PrOct0r's voice still retains most OF its