The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-07-05
Washington's Pot-Boui11e

When the dancing craze had affected
everybody in Washington. and the tur
key trot had not been driven out by the
later dances, Secretary and Mrs. Bry-
an were the prominent guests at an
afternoon reception. Diplomats WED
with each other to pay their respects
to the powerful premier of the Will
group Of persons desiring to show Mrs.
Bryan the notable feature of the house
took her to the big ballroom. Mr.. Bry-
an "hand-shook" his way after her.
,"Ah." said bright young woman to
the secretary, ION --~--- WOO" to the ball
room, Mr.. Secretary"
The secretary paused; a slight frown
clouded his brow for moment.
1T that where she is going?" he ask
ed, nodding toward his wife.
Yes" responded the lady. Mrs
Bryan wants w to turkey trot."
"Well," said the secretary, pushing
after his wife, and the familiar smile
chasing away the frown; she can
lead me to the turkey, but she can't
make me trot.'
Hon. John F. Shafroth. the Junior
senator from Colorado, will long be
remembered as a man of noteworthy
performance. He first came to con-
gress as a republican, but was among
that band of silver patriots who walked
out Of the national convention at ST.
Louis in 1896 and afterwards landed
in the democratic party. Shafroth
continued in congress where he re-
manned until a contest had been insti-
tuted against him by republican
opponent An investigation was made
by q house committee and report
presented which showed that frauds
had been committed in Denver which
had much to do with Shafroth's ma
tority. AS soon as the report came into
the house, Shafroth declared he had no
knowledge OF the frauds; that he did
not want to be the beneficiary of such
methods and asked that the resolution
unseating him and seating his oppo-
nent be passed at once. This was done
amidst cheers of his fellow members
and Shafroth left the house with great
er popularity than he had ever known
before. Since then he has twice been
elected governor and is now senator
for five years to come
WANTED LOWER RANK.
Several years ago when eX-President
Taft was secretary Of war and there
was every indication that Gen. John F.
Weston, then commtssary general,
would be advanced to be major gen.
eral Of the line. both of them attended
a drill Of the 7th cavalry at Fort Myer,
just across the river from Washington.
Weston. whom everybody in the army
Cal!od Jack" went into the civil war
as a Toy of Is and commanded a regi
ment oNSavalry before he was muster
regular service and was assigned to
the 7th cavalry He served for years
under Custer, who commanded that
famous regiment, which was nearly
wiped out on the Little Big Horn In
1876.
At this particular drill at Fort Myer.
the different detachments of the 7th
cavalry, under the command of blight
young officers, were doing exceeding
1y well. The band was playing Garry
trained horses and intelligent troopers
went through the evolutions keeping
time to the martial air with perfect
obedience to orders.
Jack Weston was keenly Interested;
nay, more, he was excited. Finally,
unable to restrain his enthusiasm, he
jumped up and went over to the box
occupied by Secretary Taft and his
party. Slapping the secretary on the
back, he cried out:
Major General be d--di Make
me a End lieutenant Of the 7th caval-
n.y."
JOE BLACKBURN RETURNS.
Hon. Joseph Clay Stiles Blackburn,
was appointed member of the Lin
coin Memorial Commission not long
ago. At least that is the way it reads
on the official document. but we all
know that it was Joe Blackburn of
ker lucky who was named,-Joe Black
burn one of the famous "Brigadiers''
WHO dpFcdTeO III the mousse Oh represent
tatives about 1874 and gained the rep
utation of a "fire-eater;" who served
long In the senate: whose tie was al
ways a brilliant red: whose oratory was
delight, and whose reputation a
faconteur never was surpassed SEN
ator George w. Vest of Missouri, was
his equal and the two in a group, al
ternating and in friendly rivalry, could
go on and on forever without a dull
moment intervening.
Joe Blackburn's return to Washing
ton recalls Vest incident when they
were together. Vest was a native Of
Kentucky but left at a very early age.
Vest, tell them why you left Ken
lucky" said Blackburn during short
interval.
ST left Kentucky. gentlemen" re-
piled Vest, because Joe Blackburn
lived there. Joe began talking the mo-
ment he was born and has never stop
ped. I couldn't live in state that
held a man like that"
Gentlemen, TIL tell you why Vest
left Kentucky" said Joe eagerly.