The Washington herald., 1913-11-25

ally have a hope of coming back. but
others accept lesser honors with thanks
and no apologies. Hunter Moss. the new
member from the Fourth West Virginia
district, points with pride to Romeo
Freer, once Congressman, who has
| served several years as postmaster NJ
Harrisville, the capital of Ritchie County
I'reer was originally active in the ka-
nawha region before and during his one
Congressional term, and figured in al
, State conventions throughout the long
domination Of Scott and Elkins. ]. Adam
Bede, who was a noted member OF Con-
gress from Minnesota. did not think II
beneath his dignity to become a member
OF the legislature, and Gen. Jones or
Ohio was much more prominent In the
legislature Of his State after leaving
Congress than he was In Washington.
The ever exuberant and hopeful Robert
b. Gordon. who had the usual two terms
and OUT favor Of his Ohio Congressional
| district Is now Sergeant-at-arms OF the
House, and quite as happy as when
member. The most frequent turning OF
House members after dropping out OF the
Congressional game is toward the bench
at home and they insist that service In
Congress makes the better Judge.
When the Hon. William Bailey Lamar,
excellent in speech and splendid In
sartorial presentment, announced himself
satisfied with appointment as an exposi-
ton commissioner, other Southern states
men in and out Of jobs remarked that
it was something startling.
The usual expression Of Southern
Democrat appointed to anything less
| than a Cabinet or foreign honor Is that
cit might have been better" but the
Lamar expression was one OF supreme
satisfaction, and for one from the
languid South he was remarkably eager
on taking hold of the work. HIS ap-
pointment recalled that the name OF
Lamar, while an usual one, has figured
prominently in Southern politics Com
missioner Lamar was kept busy, In fact,
holding office from early manhood until
he retired from Congress, while his dis
tinguished uncle, Lucius Quintus Cincin-
natus Lamar, was q towering figure In
Mississippi long before coming to the
Senate and going thence to the supreme
bench. A native OF Georgia, this old
Roman was kept busy from the time
he settled in Mississippi and moved back
and forth between there and his native
State. Finally, he decided that Missis-
sippI was the land OF political promise,
also performance, and he kindly assented
to elections, one after the other. in
cluding Congressional, until the war
made him a colonel He made diplo-
matte missions to Europe for the Con-
federacy and then took up college work
until his party could overthrow the
CARPET bag domination. He reached the
House and Senate in good time, and then
went to the Cleveland Cabinet. His fine
legal ability was appreciated by the
President, who appointed him to the su-
preme bench in 1855, and he continued
RNra later. n
paratively a young man.
Another nephew of the Senator. Joseph
Rucker Lamar. figured with some prom
inence in Georgia politics before coming
10 the Supreme bench by appointment OF
President Taft. He served but four years
on the State bench and devoted six years
to practice before coming TO Washington,
nearly three years ago. Another Lamar
came to Congress following the election
OF 1902 and his home post-office was Edgar
Springs, Mo. He was young man OF
thirty-six and promised career, but re-
mained only two terms, going to Texas 10
continue in the law, and possibly pre-
ferring the more reliable Democratic
tendency Of the Texan country.
The first Lamar in Congress was Henry
Graybell Lamar, of Georgia, who served
two terms eighty-odd years ago ana
closed his career on the bench.
One Vice President Of the United
States never appeared before the. Senate
but he took the oath Of office on the ap-
pointed day a thousand miles from
washington dying a month later. That
statesman was William r. King OF Ala
bama, long a famous figure in American
affairs and elected Vice President with
Franklin Pierce in 1852. Following the
campaign King failed in health and went
to Havana for recuperation. He could
not return in time for inauguration day
and a special act OF Congress permitted
him to take the oath as Vice President