The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-23
TlE TIMES psPArCH: RICHMOND VA MONDAY MAY % 1o1a


| would tremble, lest he might he con
ironted by some Senator or Representa-
tive VINO knew him. He. did no
breathe easily until he was past Bal
tlmore. for lie knew that his fame die
not reach beyond the Patapsco. Ther
lie heaved a sigh or relief, 1T cigar
and began to blow about Texas to his
| fellow passengers. This long delay ir
bringing his vocal organs into play
and this modesty on the part of Joe
IN taking his seat was altogether tin
usual for him, because Joe is afraid
or nothing under the sun, and actually
challenged Bryan to joint debate once
There was reason for all this and
that reason spelt the evolution OF Joe.
For the first time in his life, when he
boarded that train, Joe Bailey had on
ton, he hid it in his apartments. and
he never put it on until he started for
the train in a closed carriage, because
he always boastcd that he never wore
to show his face beneath one in his
familiar haunts.
This evolution of Joe has been won
derful. He came to Washington al
most twenty years ago. as member
of the Ffty-second Congress, and in
that day and time he was a sight to
see He wore a wool hat one of the
kind you can buy in San Antonio for
Ist9S-a wide-brinlmed affair that
dipped around the edges every time
the rain fell and had n rare faculty for
collapsing over the eyes when A man
was Just reaching for his derringer.
j oe wore with that hat. in those hall
cyon days, long Prince Albert coat
they do not call them frock coats in
Texas and have never heard the word
and he used to girde his
throat with a string muslin tie which
he bought by the dozen from a man
who always voted for him in Gaines
vile. In this costume Joe would walk
the lobby OF the House and dare his
enemies to come on. or else would pa
rade UP and down Pennsylvania Avenue
with a chip on his shoulder and his
hip pocket handy.
Then Joe began to change. under the
elevating influence of Washington So
cial life. He ceased to wear those
muslin string ties. even If 1t did cost
him vote at home. and bought him
self fours-in-h and-desperate looking
things they were, green and red and
yellow; but they suited Joe finely.
When he had committed this sin.
long heart searching he abandoned his
Prince Albert coat and gave it to a
member of the Texas Legislature. Joe
hated to do this, because he had worn
tics. and had tugged at its lapels a
thousand times as he appealed to the
Untamable of Texas; yet he bequeathed
it to a man who is still wearing it,
=" s0ppcSe, bOuSnl a sack suit
from dealer in his home town. The
wool hat alone remained to attest the
former glories of Joe. and this he wore
year in. year out. until
Joe Bailey's hat became symbolical of
Joe Bailey. Now even this is gone.
and Joe will wear a Derby when he
dares not wear his plug.
Alas and alas. if the wool hat days
be passing! How can the statesman
ever be stately unless he has
such hat and how can Joe
ever go on the stump in Texas
and hope for success with that wool
hat on the top shelf of his cupboard
covered with dust? It's a hard blow
for Democracy and 1t is a hard blow for
Texas, for when Joe laid by his wool
nat an epoch passed and political his
DRY was made.