Evening journal., 1914-04-16
New News Of Yesterday
An Amusing AnecdOte of
Senator David B. Hill
By HOLLAND.

When David B. Hill was governor
of New York State he found mental
relaxation and intellectual delight in
entertaining at his suburban home,
which overlooked the Hudson River.
men Of intellectual power and of
learning not merely I'm the field of
politics and statesmanship. but also
I'm that Of science. He was a charm
ing host to those who were able to
speak informingly upon any subject
which related to the growth and de-
velopment of the United States. He
was fond also of hearing discussions
respecting some of the great men in
public life, both across the sea and
in the United States.
After Mr.. Hill became a United
States Senator he discovered that al
though certain customs OF the Senate
made It expedient for him TO partici-
pate In the social life of the Capital,
as he was a bachelor and occupied in
conspicuous apartments he was not
expected TO do any entertaining him
self.
After two or three experiences as a
guest at dinner parties Senator Hill
found that entertainment of this kind
palled upon him greatly. Thereafter
he declined all invitations excepting
those which certain considerations Of
courteous obligations made Il neces-
sary for him to accept.
Among the intimate friends whom
Senator Hill gained and whose
friendship he kept while governor of
New York was Edward G.. Riggs, now
an executive officer Of the New Haven
Railroad system. Recently MIR. Riggs
narrated to me an amusing expert
ence he had in Senator Hill's apart
ment at Washington about two years
after the latter took his seat
Il had occasion to call upon Sena-
tor Hin and went to his room az
an hour fixed by him, at about 10
O'Clock In the evening" said Mr.
Riggs. I thought / should find him
at work, for he was one of the most
industrious of workers. having an
especial facility for the analysis Of
statistics and the looking up of law
cases.
"He was not in when I called and,
as I knew he expected me, I decided
10 wait until he came I took up a
book and began TO read to pass the
time. Perhaps half an hour had gone
by when I heard the Senator coming
in. He saw me, but said nothing
I realized that he was highly irri-
tated. He took OFF his overcoat and
flung it upon the floor. Then he
took of his dress coat and disposed
of IL I'm the same manner. Then he
actually trampled upon these two
garments.
After he had done so he looked
up at me with a faint smile and gave
me cordial greeting. asking me to
pardon the irritation which he had
shown so forcibly.
"He said: L have been TO one OF
those dismal dinner parties. I have
sat three hours listening 10 twiddle-
twaddle. I would gladly have sat
for six hours If l could have heard
anything worth listening to. I won't
tell you where I have been, but Il
was a swell house. have lost
three hours in listening to this pin
feather talk. Why can't men and
women who have at least average In
telligence. when they get together
around a dinner table, talk of things
that are worth while? I presume
there are houses in Washington
where the conversation at these for
nal feasts Is worth listening to, but
IL hasn't been my good fortune 70
be invited TO any OF them, if there be
any.
You saw me throw my clothes
upon the floor. did that partly "a
give vent TO my irritation over those
wasted three hours and partly 10
emphasize a vow that I made this
evening that hereafter I should de-
cline all invitations 10 Washington
dinner parties
The Senator got over that after d
WHILE" Mr.. Riggs continued "He dis
covered that there we're places iu
Washington where a guest could be-
charmed and enlightened by the con-
versation which took place around d
dinner table"
Copyright, 1914. by b. J. Edwards
All rights reserved)
rTa...r-...,.s Al LII IL. ..