The Washington herald., 1909-03-14

the fourth OF March next year This
anomalous political situation is caused by
the fact that the legislature OF that state
meets only once in four years. Therefore
Mr. Williams has served a whole term o.
two years IN the House since he was
elected 20 the Senate. and VIII DOW en-
iOy a year as a private citizen before ne
takes his seat Visitors 10 the House
galleries 70 whom the great Democratic
leader is pointed out are invariably dis
appointed in the appearance Of the man.
They expect TO see a towering Jove with
flashing eyes and stentOrian voice. and
can hardly be convinced that the incon-
spicuous little man is really the great
Democratic chieftain- he IS short IN
stature and light in body. with curling
hair and brown mustache. and IN general
appearance would pardOnably be mis-
taken by stranger for a SO per wees
clerk IN a department store.
Mr.. Williams is q student and scholar
OF rare attachments. having graduated
from such distinguished Institutions OF
learning as the Kentucky Military Insti-
tute al Frankfort. the University OF the
South. at Sewanee. Tenn the University
OF Virginia and the world-farnOus Uni
versity Of Heidelberg. Germany Such
distinguished array Ok alma matters as
this viii command the reverentiaI re-
spect in the Senate OF even the eradlte
Henry Cabot Lodge.
This little matter Of educational quail
hcations reminds one Of the days 1vher
J Ham Lewis. OF the great Northwest
and elsewhere. was d cub member OF The
House. Because J. Ham did not make
an ostentatious display OF a seedy sack
coat and baggy trousers. and manifested
some regard for the niceties OF dress, his
vociferoUs confreres became enormously
imbued with the idea that he was ar
extensively inoffensive Willie child. and
legitimate game for their wire-edged
quips. Later the starch vas removed
from this assumption with rare neatness
and dispatch.
After having served as the butt OF
their humor Cor a few weeks. J. Ham
arose in his place one day and submitted
scme remarks For the first few minutes
his remarks were in the vernacular. and
huentiy impersonal. but he soon switched
on into classical abstracts from the dead
languages. Walking up TO first one and
then another OF his late tormentors. he
faces and poured forth a torrent G..
Latin. Greek. Hebrew. and Sanscrft, in
termixed with swift and coplous punches
OF polyglot. and wound up with an apos-
Tophe IN Arabic which would have
caused school OF languages 10 resemble
three dimes.
What il was all about the objects OF
the outburst could not imagine. They
didn't know whether they were being
eomplimented or grossly insulted. and
therefore didn't know whether 10 resent
II or not Al that could be done under
the circumstances was 10 smile feebly
and say nothing. Meanwhile. the Official
reporters were dying IN various secluded
places from broken hearts. Whatever q
all meant nobody ever knew. but never
thereafter was J. Ham treated with any,
thing but the most scrupulOus courtesy
Members walked around him ginrerIy
from distance that they might not
jar him into action, and only the ribald
press alluded from a safe distance. 20 his
overlooking whiskers.
II the truth Of history is maintained. 4,
viii require AT least a year for the new
members Of the House, which convenes
tomorrow, TO come to the surface and
evolve any distinct individuality. More
than one half OF the Representatives who
come here and so cut at the end OF their
terms are never heard Of After two OF
| three terms whatever there IS Of value
in a man comes out. and he takes The
place which his ability and qualifications
merit. II he IS a political accident O,
mediocre ability he remains one of the
supes on the great stage At rare inter
walls new member acquires sudden and
questionable fame by jumping into the
arena and cracking his heels together
With a frontier whOOp. or he NAV earn
notoriety as freak by some afectariOn
but such are abnormal and infreouent
There has been but one SOckless Terry
IN many years The great majority
come and go unwept and unsung.
The new bunch Of Senator's contain,
several men Of extraordinary ability. wbr
have won deserved fame IN other folds
Towering above all, Of course. IS F.,fbr
Root, OF New York Next in the nstionsr
eye is probably Burton. OF Ohio s.,
erai have served with distinguish
credit as governors OF their respective
States. among them being Chamberlain
OF oregon; johnson. Of North Dakota
Crawford, OF South Dakota, and FLETCHER
OF Florida. This list might also properI,
lnoiuoe Cummlns, or Iowa. and Page. Of
Vermont, each In the front rank al N.
most nlustriOus executives which fhoi,
States ever had. The advent OF ax-go,
errors IN the Senate has become cor.
splcUously noticeable In recent times 81
much so as almost 10 indicate a new
standard Of Senatorial qualifications