South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-03-11
Washington ii
Lighter Vein
BY John Temple Graves

WASHINGTON.-T immigration
bill, vetoed into death by Pres't Will
son, had some large words defining
the tests for citizenship. One of these
was illustrated in a bright interchange
in the house.
Mr.. Sherley of Kentucky was argu-
ing strongly on the affirmative side of
the bill. A member of the opposition
interrupted, ."Win the gentleman per-
NIT me to ask him a question
The Kentuckian yielded the floor.
"Will you tell me the exact mean
ing of constitutional psychOpathic in
capacity"
Il don't know" said Mr.. Sherley
promptly, but the asking OF the ques-
ton is a symptom of the disease"
Gen. Miles, at the banquet of the
Second army corps, quoted a remark
able tribute to George Washington. It
came from Abraham Lincoln, and was
notable for two reasons: First, be-
cause it was the tribute of one of the
two greatest men in the republic to
the other greatest man, and, second,
because it furnished another illustra-
ton Of LincOln's fondness for short
for that form of oratOry, as afterward
illustrated at Gettysburg. This speech
was delivered at Springfield, Ill, be
fore the Washington Temperance So
ciety on Feb. %, 1912. 1t ran as fol-
lows:
This is the 10th anniversary of
the birthday of Washington. We are
met to celebrate this day Washington
is the mightiest name of earth; long
since the mightiest in the cause of
civil liberty; mightieSt in the cause of
moral reformation.
on that name no eulogy is expect
ed. 1t cannot be To add bright
ness TO sun or glory TO the name of
Washington is alike impossible. Let
none attempt it. In solemn awe pro-
nounce this glorious name, and in its
naked, deathless splendOr leave it
shining on"
During the great temperance debate
i'm the house, Rep. Carl Decker of
Missouri told this story:
y young woman was discussing suf-
frage with an old darkey whom she
employed b. the day in the south. He
was powerfully opposed TO letting
woman vote. and "argyhed" at great
length along that line. Finally, firing
of the subject, the young woman
sought TO divert il by saying:
well. Uncle Rastus, what do you
think Of Mr. Cleveland ."
''Who-Mr. Cleveland-Maj. Cleve-
land? I knOwed him we'll / used 10
tote water 20 him IN de confederate
army. miss"
But I mean Grover Cleveland"
DAT was de man-GrOVner Cleye-
land He didn't take water often. but
when ne did he took a mighty lot of il.
He was in the Confederate army
sho'''
oh" said the girl. Grover Cleve-
land was the president of the United
states. and if an old darkey as igno-
rant as YOU are can vote / don't see
why I cannot"
why. nissus said Rastus. with sol
emn earnestness.
wen. it's bekase YOU lacks dc mas
kuline authorizations.
The saving grace of humor in Tom
Marshall. vice president of the United
States. was illustrated again during
the flibustcr on the clOture.
Mr. Reed of Missouri had moved an
To the Williams bill that
no man could speak without keeping
To the question under discussion. Mr..
Cham berlain OF Oregon added an
that no senator should
leave the chamber during critical
debate unless for cause OF illness
About this time the vice president
hackoned a senator to the vice presi-
dents chair and handed him paper.
When the senator returned 20 his seat
he offered this third amendment:
And that no senator shall leave the
floor during a critical debate without
lifting his hand, catching the vice
presidents eve and asking, AIR. Presi-
dent may / 20 out?' "