The Washington herald., 1911-07-30
Seasoned and Sagacious Chicago Mem
Der of House Knows Politics from
the Ground Up.
By JAMES b. MORROW.

the House of Representatives, giving the
word an elastic and dignified interpre-
tation.
| Thus, to use his own phraseology,
What are agricultural implements?"
The farmers bill. so called. puts the tools
of husbandry in the free list. Reapers
are mentioned, as are plows. cornshell-
ers, mowers, thrashing machines. har-
rows, and "all other agricultural imple-
ments, of any kind or description, wheth-
er specifically mentioned herein or not"
us a wheelbarrow an agricultural i'm
plement?" inquired the doubtful Mr..
Mann. II cannot use my farm without
an ak Can you?" he asked, turning
to Oscar w. Underwood. the leader of
the Democrats, who is also a lawyer in
Birmingham, Ala. Are axes to come in
| free?"
Confusing the schedules and his oppo-
nents, Mr.. Mann continued to bite at
the shins and shanks of the majority.
At other times he springs for the throat.
Occasionally he gets his adversary down
/ on the ground.
The kennel has given American speech
the homely and convincing character
known as watchdog of the Treausry."
Going to the same humble source for an
other popular figure, Mr.. Mann can be
named the bulldog of the minority"
But the term must be expanded in its
meaning because Mr.. Mann is more than
an eager and stubborn fighter. Keeping
within the bounds of natural history, It
can be said that he is as wise as a SER
pent. artful as fox, and ubiquitous as
weasel.
Also. though there may be some strain
upon and contradiction between the pic
lures put into language. Mr.. Mann might
| be likened to the bell sheep of flock.
| When he Jumps over an imaginary dan
ger the Republicans galloping behind
must jump at the exact spot. II he fol-
! lows his shadow, as a prairie sheep does
! on hot DAYS, the lest must follow their
| shadows, believing. with him. that relief
from the sun will be found in their own
| shade.
Seasoned and SaSaciOus Leader.
Still, neither a bell sheep nor bull
dog is descriptive enough. There is M
| wit In either animal, nor information,
while Mr.. Mann has both. Indeed, his
chieftaincy over the Republicans means
the House-ablest for the task devolved.
There are critical and Unconditional spec
tators of The business done by Congress
who say that he is the greatest legis-
| lator IN the United States-greatest in
skill. knowledge, and freedom from
prejudice. Educated in politics from a
city ward up. floor leader under Speaker
Cannon for eight years, seasoned and
sagacious. and i lawyer to boot. he has
complete grasp of the mechanics OF
his post. To his qualities, which clearly
show in debate, must be added dill
gence that is nearly supernatural, rigid
orderliness that is unique, and a rapidity
of thought that is astonishing.
Withai, Mr. Mann is independent. He
voted for the Payne tariff law before
1t left the House. and against 1t when
it came back from the Senate as trans
formed and textilized by the now de-
parted Aldrich. 1 asked him If he re-
membered his initiatory vote in Con-
Sress.
Il do" he answered. 1T was cast in
opposition to my party. The Dingley
bill was being considered. An amendment
was offered by some Democrat. AS 1t
was sensible, I supported 1t when my
name was called. A new acquaintance In
the next chair and a bad prophet, there
upon remarked: You will live, my
friend to regret that act.
Never 1 said. I shall always vote
as 1 damned please
1t is needless to say, perhaps, that
Mr.. Mann is courageous. His short
nose and short upper lip indicate dash
Id. larly
short beard, and iron-gray hair, he re-
sembles Ulysses S. Grant, except that
his expression is more animated He
talks modestly and in low tone OF voice.
Courteous and kindly, he has an open
ear for everybody. Personally, he is
liked by the Democrats OF Chicago ana
Washington. His political opponents
know that he aims his blows above the
belt and that he is ready of access and
willing when they need information.
John Sharp Williams, leader OF the
Democratic minority in the Sixtieth Con-
gress, had the amiable habit of referring
to Mann as his first assistant NeVerthe-
less, James Robert is pugnaciops and
disagreeably vigilant, despising shams
and bouncing on loose thinkers and In
accurate orators with energy and en-
thusiasm.
His Great Flower Garden In Chicago.
When 1 entered the cubbyhole that he
occupies as a private office, 1 found him
In his shirt sleeves writing on small
square of unruled paper. There were
many other similar pieces of paper In
a neat little pile on his desk. I did not
know n at the time but the Jove Of
the minority was making daily record
from letters received of his Illinois
flower garden. Later looked at the pile
of papers. May ~ read, ''the dog
woods are in bloom" On May 5. the
apple trees back of the stables are IN
blossom" The tulips began to show their
colors on May g. And so on read, piece
by piece, in the neatest Of penmanship
through the seasons for pansies and
daffodils to early June. the month OF
roses, nlacs 6nd liles Of the valley.
.'oh. I have my time for play" Mr..
Mann had said Several Of my clients
and myself own some land In Chicago.
I have turned Il into an amateur gar
den. When I went home this spring I
planted $1,000 shrubs"
Looked on" observed, while others
did the work.
IT set out 10000 cuttings myself" Mr..
Mann replied, making hole In the
ground for each cutting-2o.oo0 holes-and
tamping the earth besides. I have hum