The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
OF THE HOUSE
Alexander Mcdowell. Republican, a Politician
and Born Story Teller.

OCOrY lclleT.
done more than that He has created for
himself the rather enviable reputation OF
becoming the most competent. 10 say
nothing Of the most popular Clerk that
the House has had
A Capital story Teller.
Mcdowell was born in Franklin, We
mango County. on the sth OF March, 1ss5.
His grandparents and their broods were
born in Philadelphia. OF Quaker City
parents. Mcdowell. pere, while a printer
by profession. was cougenltally q politi-
clan, and piled his mechanical art dex-
teriOusly in spreading broadcast through
the wildcat district OF Pennsylvania
the glory OF the then stiI infautile Re-
publican party.
Spurred TO adoring imitation BY ths
fame OF his father-for even Senator
Quay referred with digniied pride TO the
name OF Parker McD0Well-ycung Alex
ander deserted the little white school
house on Main street. Franklin, where ne
was 'sh0w scholar" on the days when
the directors caIe5, for the Office Of the
VenangO Citizen, the first newspaper OF
the county Speedily the training Of young
Mcdowell manifested itself AT the age
OF fourteen he was crying from stump
tops the periI5 and only salvation OF ths
country, and lined the cOOnskin caps OF
the corner store patriots with stand-pat
ideas long before the term became a na-
tiOnaI slogan
Most Popular Clerk.
Alexander set tSpe" for the Citizen
long enough 20 see IFS owner g. P
Ramsbaugh defeated for governor Of Viz
ginia. his native State see him gored 20
death by a prize steer al the county fair,
and print his obituary. Establishing him
self as editor OF the journal. Mcdowell
then began the life Of political activity
which for several reasons is probably one
Of the most remarkable OF any OF the
Pennsylvania politicians.
Reared politically under the powerful
wing OF the Quay regime. the wonder
grows that Maj. Mcdowell has held bur
one Office within the dispensation % pop
Ular disposition He was elected Con
gressman-at-large- His present position
was granted By the House He ran for
Congress once again A split in the party
caused his downfall Whether discOur-
aged at the unexpected reverse or not. he
made no further Efforts 20 corner the pop
Ular vote for any Office
Apparently Mcdowell Is the least ambl-
tiOus Of men With all due respect L
must be added that this lack Of aggres-
siveness is 20 the casual observer alto
gether Of a physical nature His ouies-
cent urbanity precludes 10 the same per
son the possibility Of going deeper than
the surface He is slow IN speech and
manner Almost careless in his attitude
toward current Incidents. he gives one
the Impression Of being perfectly satisfied
20 lie hack in his chair and swap stories
Of sacred vintage with his callers
He Enters Politics.
An example OF This quality was per-
fectly exemplifed as 7 sat al his desk
trying 20 induce him 20 drop the al zoo
apparent assumption OF nOnchalance and
speak 10 me as re would and does 10
Cen Grosven0r. Hoke Smith. Binger
Hermann, and Gen Keifer- An excited
telephone voice. that could be heard ali
over the room. told him that the Dewey
Hotel was on FIRE. The major lives az
the Dewey Hotel Cant you put Il
out2'' vas the quiet demand They're
trying To- shouted the voice. "TeU EN-
20 keep trying" said the major. and
stalked slowly back 70 his chair and.
70 all appearances. forgot the Incident
He is q good looking man. although
he wears one of those hirsute sppendages
from his chin. the use and beauty o.
which nobody has successfully defended
he IS big physically, and his face gives
the lie 20 the figures OF Father Time.
lie dresses with utmost carefulness. and
is celebrated for his extensive wardrobe.
Some people have attributed his lack
-
has become wealthy through his banking
venture Mcdowell engaged in the bank
ing business in Sharon in 1870. Just four
years after he married Lavina Titus, a
Titus OF TitUs-iIle- So successful was
the Sharon National Bank that soon
Squire Mcdowell was a r1ac OF financial
as well as political aEuence. With the
acquisition OF wealth came the ali too
closely affiliated lasSitude. and right then
and there ambition and Mcdowell quar-
relied.
During the civil war he distinguished
himself IN the 1Z1SC Pennsylvania Vol
unteers- His anecdotes Of the war are
without end. He Is known as the most
interesting story teller IN Washington
An URfamiIiar story.
Some years ago. when II was the Gus
tom for a man 70 escort as high as i've
or six ladies 70 receptions at the White
House. according 10 the historians OF
frivoIty- the major appeared with Mrs.
Mcdowell and several other ladies'
President and Mrs Cleveland were re-
ceiving. aided. as usual. by the gentle
men OF the Cabinet and their wives.
Nearest the door stood Mrs. Lamont.
I'm SO glad 10 see YOU she said, and
held out her hand 20 the AIcDoweIls L
know IL You look il" was the rather
startling acknowledgment from the major.
And ali the way down the line The major
congratulated the receiving party on their
apparent hospitality. That's Alexander
Mcdowell
As Clerk Of the House. the majors du-
ties consist principally If not entirely OF
signing his name. His rather nOndeScript
scrawI must be affixed 70 every document.
BILL resolution, and report that comes
out Of the House. Under his jurisdiction
comes the employment OF all the at
taches OF the Lower Body Their salary
checks are made buyable by his signature
and only by his Signature. He knows
as a matter OF necessity every member
Of Congress. in many cases more fnti-
mately than their families do Under his
supervision the Congressional Directory
Is compiled and edited His Office IS a
Clearinghouse for Congressional news
items Everybody is welcome 20 come u,
sit down. and remain as long as he wants.
After a while. as your familiarity grows
you may even open the lower drawer OF
the majors desk and take a long. anemic
looking stogie. The latter is the superia-
tive degree Of intimacy. The only penalty
attached 10 such close friendship with
the major is that you must be prepared