The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-24
GOSSIP FROM WASHINGTON
BY WALTER HARPER

Washington, January 2.-(Special)-- Senator E. NJ. Lovelace of Brewton is quoted in the Age-Herald as declaring that he would not have the job of con gressman if it were rendered him on a platter.
 Senator Lovelace is wise for his age.
 Martin w L. Littleton of New York. after serving only a part of his first term in Congress, has announced that he will not stand for reelection. He says that he will return to the practice of law He is sincere in that determina- ton. If there is any honor in being a member of Congress he has already drained the cup to the dregs. A perpetu- ity of the honors could add nothing to the delightfulness.
 Martin I.ittleton makes ten times the money in his practice that he makes as congressman. When he came to Con- gress he cut loose entirely from the firm of which he was a member and is serv- ing the dear people al great sacrifice.
 It is said that Mrs. Littleton desired a season in Washington. Well, the ambi- tion Is laudable in any woman MT. Lttleton was kind to yield to this ambi- tion though it was a very expensive luxury Mrs. Littleton is making the best of her time here She is very popu- lar in social circles and has received all the attention that she could have de- sired.
 More than this Mrs. Littleton has been a close student of legislative procedure. She is seen very often in the gallery of both the House and Senate and takes an active interest in all the proceedings.
 But MT. Littleton gets enough in one term and is now willing to return to the bosom of independent citizenship and the pursuit of easy wealth.
 After long and valuable service in the House and then in the Senate Sena- tor Joseph w. Bailey of Texas has an nouneed that he will retire and take up the practice of law.
 Some will claim that he is making this move under political pressure. Perhaps political developments have something to do with his decision, but not everything. talked with Senator Bailey several weeks ago about his intention to retire. He appeared sincere in his determine
 
 clared emphatically that there is no longer any credit in remaining in the United States. Senate. There was hint of ego in his declaration that it is no honor to remain the associate of men
 who are small in mental calibre, men who are under the suspicion of corrupt methods of election and men who do not measure up to the standard that is ex- pected of the august body of the United States Senate.
 In this connection. I am reminded of a story that was told on Jim Nesmith, the illiterate miner and stage driver who came to the United States Senate from Oregon soon after that territory was ao- mitted to the Union.
 When Senator-elect Nesmith came to Washington he was so modest ana nau such a poor opinion of his own merits that he was actually afraid to appear m the Senate chamber. So for the first day or two he sat up in the gallery with ms wife :, After looking the statesmen over he said to her again and again. When I think of my limitations and of the august char acter of this body. I cannot for the life of me understand how I got here. A month or two later Nesmith. who was personally a very popular man, a good story teller. and mixer from Mlxer- !! vile, said to his wife after he had be- come acquainted with his colleagues and | swapped stories with them in the cloak rooms. dined with them in the Senate
 restaurant. and associated with them on