The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1910-03-03
new NEWS or YESTERDAY
The Two Votes That Carlisle Did
Not Get.
Sickness Of TWO Congressman Was
All That Kept "Horizontal Bill"
Morrlson's Estimate from Be- \.
ing Absolutely Accurate.
BY {. J. EDWARDS.

The late William R. Morrison of Illlr
nois, who died not long ago and who
gained national distinction as the au-
thor Of the so-caIled horizontal or
| Morrison, tariff bill, was one Of the
most astute, skillful and successful
political strategists that ever sat in
the lower house of congress. 1t was
! he, more than any other man, who
brought about the election OF John G.
Carlisle as speaker In 1883, when the
then comparatively unknown law
maker from the coal regions OF Ken
lucky had as his opponent for the
great honor Samuel j. Randall, whose
prestige as a Democratic leader was
national, and who was little short OF
an idol to large section of his party.
Mr.. Morrison managed Mr.. Car
isles canvass for the speakership.
During the exciting days that the Car
Isle and Randall forces were lining
up, was in almost daily communica-
ton with Mr.. Morrison and came to
get fairly good knowledge Of his po-
litical adroitness. But nothing that
he did. during the course of the can
vass impressed me SO forcibly as what
| believe to be hitherto unpublished
incident that occurred on the night OF
the caucus for the speakership.
That night, Mr.. Carlisle, with a few
friends, was seated in one of the com
mittee rooms on the main floor OF the
house Of representatives, a little
back of the speakers entrance to
that house. He was silent, not ap-
pearing to heed the chatter of his
friends, nor to pay the slightest at
tention to the messages which were
brought to the room telling Of the
progress of the caucus.
At last sounds of violent and en-
thusiastic applause were heard, 1t
was apparent that the speaker had
been nominated, and whoever was
nominated was to be elected, since
the Democracy controlled the house.
A moment later a messenger rushed
in, presented Mr.. Carlisle with a piece
of paper, and cried, Mr.. Carlisle, you
are triumphantly nominated"
The applause still resounded across
the corridors and into the room. But
Mr.. Carlisle paid no heed to it. He
hastily scanned the bit Of paper which
had been placed before him.
Where is Morrison? Send for him."
he demanded, hurriedly, adding
There's something wrong about this"
~ Fearful that the messenger had
brought false news, one of Mr., Car.
isles little party looked at the slip
of paper. rs .-...-..... 'r.r 81 !
Why, Mr.. Carlisle" he cried, this
is all right; you are nominated by a
handsome plurality"
NO, it isn't all right" snapped Car
Isle. II am two short of the vote
Morrison told me l would get. wish
some one would 60 and get Morrison
and bring him here. / don't under
stand it." -.
In :. few minutes Mr.. Morrison,
showing no outward sign of gratif-
cation over his great victory, strolled
into the room.
Mr.. Carlisle waved the message Of
victory before him.
is that vote right?" he queried. "If
1t is, am two short Of the number
you told me l would have"
Mr.. Morrison smiled as he looked
at the figures.
Yes, that's the vote, but l didn't
make any mistake in my canvass;
there were two members who are
sick and couldn't be present at the
caucus. That explains why you are
two votes short of the number l !
promised you"
Copyright 1909, by z. ]. Edwards)
PAY Their Share of Taxes