The Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Ark.) 190?-current, 1912-05-17
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

Washington.-In the different de-
partment buildings of the government
there are hanging on the walls pic
lures of former officials whose WORK
was done in the rooms which their
portraits adorn In the war depart
ment pictures of the former secreta-
ries of war hang on the walls OF the
rooms used directly by the present
secretary, Henry L. Stimson. They
are fine old portraits, most OF them
and they represent line OF men
from the days of the foundation Of the
government until the present hour
BY general admission. the finest
work of art in the collection Is the
portrait of Jefferson Davis. who was
president of the Confederacy and VINO
at one time held the cabinet position
of secretary of war. In the treasury
department there are portraits not
only of former secretaries OF the
treasury, but also of former comptrol-
iers of the currency and former treas
urers of the United States and OF 9TH
er men In high official position.
Until few years ago Ellis II. Rob
erts OF Utica, N. Y, was treasurer OF
the United States. Mr.. Roberts is
still living and enjoying virile Old
age. He was a keen politician and
was known as one of the scholars In
politics. He is approaching ninety
years of age and yet he is still max
Ing addresses upon governmental sub
jects and upon subjects of historical
interest 1t used to Re said OF Mr.
Roberts in Washington that he had
luck stone In his pocket and ability In
his head all through his public career.
Feud Between Roberts and conklins.
Roscoe Conkling, one Of the famous
senators of the United States, was
from Utica, and Conkling and Roberts,
although both Republicans. were very
much at outs. For years and years
Conkling tried to put Roberts down
and out, but at the end, 1t is said
Roberts had as much to do with put
ting Conkling down and out as any
other man in public life. unless Presi-
dent Garfield be excepted.
Early In life Roberts and Conkling,
as the Washington story goes. were
the best possible friends. Roberts
was the editor of newspaper now no
longer ir existence, but in Its day one
OF the ablest journals In New York
state Conkling and Roberts fell out.
The Conkling influence defeated Rob
erts for Congress. He was fmme-
diately appointed assistant treasurer
of the United States at New York
city. Almost as soon as this appoint
ment was made Roscoe Conkling and
Thomas C. Plat resigned from the
senate OF the United States because
they resented another appointment
made by President Garfield. They
asked the legislature of New York to
vindicate them by returning them to
the senate. The influence of Roberts
and his paper helped TO kill Conkling
politically for all time and to Kill
Plat for season.
Later when Conkling had been out
OF the political arena for some time.
Roberts, who had held a good office
all the time, was made treasurer OF
the United States. Plat came back
time chief OF the Republican party in
New York state. Conkling and Plat
are both dead. but Ellis Fl. Roberts Is
alive and vigorous and apparently II
does not need his picture in the treas
ury department to recall to Washing
ton men some OF the stories OF his life
while he was In the midst OF public
affairs
Sherman Can't Get Away.
The vice president of the Unit
ed States, James s. Sherman. Is
perhaps in one way not the happiest
man this republic claims among its
citizenship. Although he Is the sec
ond officer in the government, he finds
that he is virtually chained to his seat
except on those rare occasions when
the imperative call of duty to his pri
vate concerns or his family makes him
arrange things so that he can get
away.
The senate OF the United States has
no president pro TEN. Senator VII
liam p. Frye OF Maine. who was the
duly elected presiding officer to act
in the absence of the vice president.
died last summer. and ever since con-
gress came together the senate has
been trying without success to elect
Mn vFryes successor. The progressive
Republicans want one senator named
for the place and the conservative Re
publicans want another. while the
Democrats stand by third candidate
The result has been deadlock which
has prevented the election OF any man
TO take Senator Frye's place. There
Is no immediate prospect that an cleo
ton can be forced. for neither side TO
the controversy seems to be willing to
yield.
His Vote Might Be Needed.
As a result of this trouble the vice
president finds It difficult to get away
from Washington. The Republican