The Washington herald., 1911-02-06
NATAL DAY FOR POET
Philander C. johnson Passes
FOrty-fifth Milestone.
BORN IN WHEELING, W. VA
Author OF "ShO0ting Stars" and
Other Efforts Has Had BriEht
CaFeer-Asher c. Hinds, @Cncle
Joe's" Pilot In the House. Who
Celebrates To-day, Native of Maine

1t seems commonplace and mundane to
speak OF age. when it brings to mind
the fact that one Of this city's best
known poets. philosophers. and versi-
bers will have finished to-day another
cycle of his earthly career and add an
other year to his age.
Philander Chase johnson, poet, author
and journalist. a son of Wheeling. W.
Va, will be forty-five years old to-day.
This son of the ever-youthful muse was
educated in Cincinnati, and in his pill
grimage through life has successfully
conducted humorous and literary depart
ments in the Merchant Traveller. Chi
caso; Critic. Capital, and Post, of this
city, and is now editorial writer and
dramatic editor of the Evening Star.
where also sparkle his shooting Stars
miscellany, brimming with genuine wit,
gentle satire. and humor. The laurel
crowned poet is the author Of Sayings
OF Uncle Eben.'' 'Nowaday Poems," and
other efforts
Birthday OF Speakers Aid.
Another prominent birthday child to-
day is Asher c. Kinds. clerk at the
Speakers table, and successor of Repre-
Maine district Mr.. Kinds is native
OF Benton. Me-. where he first saw the
light Of day on February s, 1863 Much
has been written and printed about Mr..
Kinds. it being generally recognized that
he is the parliamentary helmsman Of the
House. Uncle Joe" would not think Of
taking up for consideration a bill on
which there was a possibility Of involved
debate unless Mr.. Kinds was standing
beside his desk. Mr.. Kinds is the pilot
who has guided many a legislative craft
to a safe harbor Of precedents. He is
familiar with the rules, precedents.
and usages Of the deliberative bodies Of
this country as no other person
It is said that Thomas B. Reed, one OF
the greatest parliamentarians and pre-
siding officers Of history, made Asher
Kinds what he is. He didn't teach Htnds
what he knows. He just made Kinds
study night and day for years. Kinds
can tell you how the Romans used to be-
have in the senate, and how the MEM
bers of the rump parliament conducted
themselves. He knows the proceedings
OF the Continental Congress, and there
is hardly a situation, however trivial.
that can arise in the legislative proceed
ings of to-day for which he has not
precedents in his head and more in the
standard work on the subject OF which
he is the author.
Finding of Precedent.
Mr.. Kinds repaid Mr.. Reed for finding
him in an exceedingly striking manner. In
the eventful days 6receding the war with
Spain the administration was struggling
to prevent war, and relied on Speaker
Reed to repress the growing disposition
of the Republican members to yield to
what appeared to be the clamor OF their
The Democrats were deter
mined to force the issue, and the Re-
1.ublilcans were threatening to go over
to them.
At this critical time Mr.. Bailey, Of
Texas. tllen minority leader, proposed as
a question of privilege. in order that he
might not be taken OF the floor by de-
mand for the regular order. a resolution
recognizing the republic of Cuba as q free
and independent state.
If such a resolution once got fairly be-
fore the House, Reed anew that it would
be passed, and if it passed 1t only meant
one thing. namely, war. Reed knew that
Bailey's resolution was not privileged.
but he feared to overrule 1t because of
the danger that an appeal to the de-
In this dilemma he needed an apt prece-
dent to tip the shaft Of his forceful argu.
ment in reply to Bailey.
"Hinds." he said, get me a precedent
and get it quick"
An instant later the much-needed
something" was on the Speakers desk
Kinds, who had been watching all that
was going on, had ripped it out Of one
Of his scrap books. He started to ex-
plain it.
Say no more said Reed: II can SEQ
that this is enough" The skill with
which Mr.. Reed used this precedent is
still gossip in the House cloakrooms. He
routed Bailey completely, and prevented
the resolution from coming before the
House.
Mr. Kinds is the author Of "Hinds' Pre-
covering the proceedings Of the
House for thirteen years; he has also
perfected a new manuel for the House.