The Washington herald., 1909-01-17
SIDELIGHTS

tor Bob the story Is told that soon after
his election 20 the Senate he brought with
klm as his guest an old friend and poIiff-
cal supporter. that the latter might 10
once inspect something Of the great
world outside his native vale The twain
arrived at the Potomac about midnight.
and the Senator Of course was marking
time IN his berth His guest, however.
had refused 10 go 10 bed under conditions
hitherto entirely foreign TO him and had
Insisted on sitting up al night in the
smoking compartment 20 the end. as he
expressed II, that he might see the
burned thing through" When the train
came in sight OF the Long Bridge he gave
one glance at the lows Of lights. and
bounded into the narrow isle among the
sieepers Pushing aside the curtain
OF the Senator's berth. he kneadsd and
cuffed him in1o partial consciousness
and yelled: dig out. Bob; for the
Good Lords sake ROUSE an take notice.
In a few moments the bsTildered states
man was encased in his lower garments
and followed his excited friend into the
smoking -eeesp Pointing out Of the win
dow the latter said. They got word
We Was a'eomin', Bob Did you ever see
sech q beatenest torchlight percession IN
=
make the speech!H The Senator gave a
brief but energetic talk on the theory OF
electric lighting. and then returned and
concluded dressing
A previous reference to Senator Smoot
reminds me OF the connection OF the late
Senator Hoar with that celebrated case.
The latter was a member Of the Senate
Committee on Privileges and Elections
which had the Smoot case IN hand. and
one day. during the hearing was cornered
by a rabid anti-SmsOter who. among
other things. expressed the opinion thac
Smoot would and should be damned be-
cause OF HE religion Let's see said
Senator Hoar. you are a Methodist are
the Senator. you don't believe that I,
as a Unitarian. can be saved, do you"
The anti was obliged 20 confess that he
saw 10 hope for the venerable Senator.
Very WELL said the Senator. then IN
the eyes OF the Almighty I'm rs bad as
Smoot- am I not2 We are both 20 be
damned are We not" But the anti had
fed. and the aged Senator strOlled away
his eyes beaming good VIII 20 all men
through his historic spectseles-
Il IS yet occasionally debated in com
miJtee room hours Of reminiscence
whether Senator Carter. Of Montana.
most resembles a canal boat captain, a
presiding elder or the president OF an
agricultural society. He IS thick.
''chuggy~ statesman, with Jaw as firm
i set as a wise. a near bald head and
big bunch Of auburn beard on his
chin. That IUfI is an absolute indicator
OF the Senator's barOmetric mental pres
sure, and when the low, or beIiigerent
pressure IS accommodating b-istIes Ike
cats back in q thunder storm. Garter
is always serious, and evidently believes
that the present is always a very solemn
. and important occasion. He IS a pile
driver IN debate chooses his language
I carefully. IS never at loss for word
and withal is a most convincing orator
He IS slayer. too. This quality was
amazingly demonstrated during his first
term. when he spoke for nearly twenty
! four hours cvs.riuUoUsly-tiiI Congress
died az noon on the fourth OF March
and killed a gigantic river and harbor
bill. He held the bridge through night
and day until Congress died and neces-
sarily the bin with IL Thus the treasury
was saved something fifty millions Of dol
lars, and a grateful administration made
Carter director OF the St Louis Exposi-
ton in return His term closed with the
death o. the bin OF which he was execu-
toner. and Pringle Gibson, a Democrat.
kept bis seat warm until his return six
years later. He VII continue in public
life IS long as he lives. regardless Of the
political complexion Of his legislature.
II that ever turns him down. he viii hi
I'D something .iust az good.