Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-10

was next TO the aisle on my left. and the
man on my right was a bushywhskered
farmer of middle age from the part of
the state that we call the Pennyroyal
Thomas J. Peden by name. He leaned
over to- just after Warfield finished
his speech and said:
I'VE must be friends. Clarke: l can't
quarrel with man from whom I've got
to borrow postage stamps all through the
session."
l agreed. but | was sure that | should
like him on his own account Many of
these farmers conceal lot of ShrcWdnesS
ance. and bad grammar doesn't always
mean either bad morals or bad judg-
ment.
l was on the right-hand side of the
House and Harrison was on the left, with
several of the Louisville members about
him. 1 soon saw that he was going TO be
a power on the floor. His wonderful self
command his light ironic manner, and
his keenness of attack and retort quickly
made him feared and admired. He posed
chiefly as free lance and as one who is
against most things. For this a man
needs unmtigated assurance and a will
ingness to hurt the feeling of others,
| rather than intellect. although Harrison
had plenty of the latter. His unsparing
tongue soon frightened the Weakerkneed
members, gave him reputation and also
made him enemies. But he attended to
the duties of his place far more closely
| than had thought and was present every
day at the full session, although he al
ways went to Louisville on Saturday aft
ernoons. not returning until Monda!
morning.
/ was absorbed for the next two or
three weeks in my new occupation striV-
ing TO learn what 7 could about legislation
the pills that were to be considered. and
the character and temperament of my
fellow members. Peden and l became
great friends. True to his promise he
borrowed postage stamps from me regu-
lariy-but he paid them back with relis-
ious accuracy. Often he made remarks
about the other members that surprised
me with their penetration.
"a dangerous man" he said once. nod
ding toward Harrison: "a sight smarter
than he looks. Don't you ever buy him
for a fool
[ went several times TO the house of
Judge Wharton. where l became. I know,
a welcome visitor. and ] also extended
my acquaintance among the residents of
the capital. Frankfort has a pleasant
little society. particularly bright and gay
when the general assembly meets. and the
city Itself is not without historic interest.
Thus the days passed agreeably enough
and T began TO feel that I had settled into
my place
But about this time occurred an incident
that gave me a shiver. Every new 1eSis-
lator feels il his duty to investigate every
thing. In my own humble opinion. which
is given for no more than It is worth. we
have carried the rage for exposure IN Our
country too far. and we frequently expose
when there is nothing 10 be exposed.
Nothing would satisfy some of the new
members but a trip through the peniten-
tiary. Surely they would discover great
evils there. Perhaps the warden or depu-
ties had been flogging convicts to death;
It was impossible to say what atrocities
might not be uncovered. I was asked to
go along and ! consented. Peden also
was of the party.
For the second time in my life / en-
tered the great gates of the penitentiary.
but now as an honored guest. and felt a
singular mingling of emotions. of shame
and of pride of apprehension and of con-
fidence. did not notice until l was inside
that Harrison had joined us.
tTo be continued tomorrow