The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-07

The handwriting OF a great many prom
inent public men. though characteristic.
is quite llegible. Speaker Cannon is a
notable example, and story is told OF
the eligibility or his penmanship.
A member Of Congress had written
Mr.. Cannon in relation to the standing
of some bills and other matters of inter-
est to his constituency, and received in re-
ply letter written in the Speakers own
scrawl. The member labored long and
hard to decipher the letter. but to no
purpose. In despair. he called to HIS
assistance several other members. and
after many hours OF toll the combined
efforts were rewarded and the entire let
ter was deciphered with the exception Of
one word. That one word resisted all
their ingenuity, and as ii was UNDER
scored. 1t was deemed Of great impor-
lance The recipient Of the letter was
nonplussed, and determined that the best
way out OF his dilemma was 10 ask the
Speaker himself. He did so. The Speaker
read the letter. looked at the member.
again at the letter, then at the member.
and said: You idiot. that word is con-
fidential'
Secretary Knox visited his old stamping
ground yesterday. As soon as he entered
the door he bolted for his buddie. Senator
Crane, and the two were engaged in AMI
mated conversation for a time. Their IT.
tie seance was frequently interrupted by
other Senators paying their respects to
the Secretary.
The rivers and harbOrs bill is about
completed by the Senate Committee on
Commerce, and VIII be reported to-day or
Tomorrow. 1t is said 10 carry between
$50, 10000 and s550N00O. The House bill
was for S4s,OOOOoO.
Handsome Charles lands was a spec-
tator in the Senate gallery. He looked
with beamins countenance on the staid
Senators below him. Charles thoughts
no doubt wandered back to the days
when he was in the limelight in the
House Of Representatives. He insists.
however, that he finds Joy supreme on
his farm In Indlana-"Tne house by the
side OF the road"
Senator Carter caused a ripple Of laugh
ter TO go through the Senate and CALLER
les when he said: Let us assume that
the Senate chamber is a valley. owned
partly by individuals and partly by the
government"
That the practice OF appointing judges
having political pull is very often unwise
is evidenced by an Incident that happened
in one Of the Southern States. remarked
a member Of Congress from that sec
ton. "A certain lawyer who enjoyed the
friendship Of many persons prominent
politically was appointed 20 the bench He
was not well versed IN the law and, dur
ing trials. the District attorney stood
at his elbow 10 prompt him. A case was
being tried before the judge The evil
dence was all in; the lawyers for the
defendant and plaintiff had summed up.
and 1t was up 10 the Judge That official
was in a quandaTy as 10 the procedure
His prompter told him to charge the
jury, which he proceeded 10 do as fol-
lows: Gentlemen Of the jury. this has
not been a long case: your duties have
not been arduous, and all in all, you
have had a snap. I therefore charge you
each 50 cents
J. Adam Bede. the former humorist OF
the House. was a recent visitor IN the
city He wandered UP on the hill and
mingled with hs friends in the Capitol.
While in the House, J. Adam was a de-
vout follower Of Uncle Joe. and he ex-
presses regret that he was not abls to
vote for the continuance Of the power
of the Speaker. AZ times. J. Adam thinks
he was too funny 20 be a Statesman, and
that was the reason for his disappear