South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-11
Statesmen Real
and Near.
By Fred c. Kelly

WASHINGTON, Feb. II. - On an
afternoon a great many years ago-in
1866, if knowing the exact year is of
any consequence-one Willard Sauls-
bury. then senator from Delaware,
walked into the senate chamber lead
ing by the hand his little son, Willard,
jr., aged, approximately five years.
He was a cute little type, Willard.
ir., was. and his fathers associates
all made q great fuss over him. He
scampered about the clOakroOms.
scrawled up on senator's knees and
pulled playfully at the whiskers of
men then prominent in the affairs of
the nation. Finally, exhausted from
his rOmp, he stretched out on a lounge
and fell asleep.
Shortly after that the senate had
occasion to go into secret executive
session. No. there is no rule or prece-
dent for permitting outsiders to be in
the chamber during one of these Sc
cret sessions IF the United States
horror of seeing a precedent vio-
lated. This is true today, and it was
even more true back in 1866. Some
body happened to think about little
Hard Salisbury being there within
the sacred confines supposed to be
cleared for the executive session. True,
he was only five years of age, and
WOutQ perhaps nave pdlQ lllle H6tt
10 the grave utterances OF the SEN
ators Moreover, the child was asleep.
II was fairly improbable that any sen
ate secrets would be betrayed through
him. And the chances are that tho
matters to be considered in the secret
session were not important, anyhow.
The senate will go into executive ses-
sion and bolt all the doors, sometimes.
for the purpose of doing nothing
anncanrranffaJ than the
appointment of a postmaster at Peru.
Ind, or New Jasper. Ohio.
That, however, was not the point
The point was that there was no
precedent for having even a sleeping
five-year- yOungster In the cham
Der during an executive session. There
was nothing for little WIZARDS father
to do but arouse him and escort him
to the outside.
But little Willard. like most chill
dren five years old. resented being
awakened before he had his sleep out.
lie got up off the couch in an extreme
IN vicious humor. as well he might,
for he had not as we have just point
ed out. entertained the slightest no
ton Of interfering or paying any at
tention whatsoever 10 their blailed
old executive session.
The little fellow kicked and strug-
gled as his father dragged him by ore
arm toward a door TO turn him over
10 the tender care and guidance of a
colored messenger.
If Willard had been a few years
older his resentment would have
taken the form of dignity and he
would have stalked out haughtily.
saving that ne never wanted To come
/ into the ill-ventilated chamber in the
/ first place. and was only too glad TO
I step outside But. being only five
years OF age. when he found himself
outside and the door barred against
him ne stamped his little feet and
carried on al a great rate. Before
I the cOlOred man who had been ap-
pointed temporary guardian of his
I person could stop him the youngster
/ had ratified the door. kicked it, and
set up a fearful shrek.
II Will come in, 7 will, I willi'
Under the circumstances one can
not help feeling degree OF sympathy
\ for the youngster. and many OF rs
/ doubtless can catch. in a measure, his
point Of view. But his father was
\ deeply mortified and provoked other
/ senators twitted him and cracked the
/ usual Jokes about where the boy got
such an ugly disposition. This
ranked the elder Salisbury all the