Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-04-08

atOr Mullens, representing the San
Saba country lukewarm in his belief
lhat the state should purchase the
painting Of his constituent. He was
advised that the San Saba country was
unanimous in its admiration Of the
great painting by one Of its own denl-
zens. Hundreds Of connoisseurs had
straddled their broncos and ridden
miles to view 1t before its removal to
The capital Senator Mulens desired
reelection, and he knew the impor-
tance of the San Saba vote He also
knew that with the help Of Senator
Kinney, who was Il power In the legis-
lature, the thing could be put through
Now Senator Kinney had an irrigation
bill that he wanted passed for the ben
eft of his own section, ana lie knew
Senator Mullens could render him val
liable aid and information, the San Saba
country already enjoying the benefits
Of similar legislation With these in
terests happily doyetaied, wonder at
the sudden interest in art at the state
capital must, necessarily, be small
Few artists have uncovered their first
pictures to the world under happier
auspices than did I.onny BriscOe.
Senator Kinney and Mullens came to
IN understanding in the matter OF irri-
cation and art while partaking Of long
drinks in the cafe oe the Empire hotel.
Him" said Senator Kinney, Il don't
know. I'm no art critic, but 1t seems
TO me I'll & thing won't work. 1t looks
like the worst kind of chrome to me.
| don't want to cast any reflections
upon the artistic talent Of your constit-
uent, Senator, but /, yself, wouldn't
give six bits for the without
the frame. How are you going to cram
a thing like that down the throat of a
legislature that kicks about little item
in the expense bill Of $GS1 for rubber
erasers for only one term? It's vast.
Ing time. I'd like to help you, AIul-
lens, but they'd laugh us out of the
senate chamber IL we were to try It,"
81 You don't get the point said
Sci Mullens. in his deliberate
tones, tapping Kinney's glass with his
long forehnger 81 have my own doubts
as to what the picture is Intended to
represent, bul6ght or japanese
allegory, but | want this legislature to
make an appropriation to purchase.
or course, the subject Of the picture
should have been IN the state historical
line, but it's too late to have the paint
Icraped of and changed. The state
won't miss the money and the picture
can be slowed away In lumber room
whore 1t won't annoy any one. Now,
here's the point to work on, leaving
art TO look after ltself-the chap that
painted the picture Is the grandson Of
Luclen Brlscoe"
Say 1t again." said Kinney, leaning
bis head thOughtfully. "Of the old.
original Luclen Briscoe?'
"Of him. The man who, YOU know
The man who carved the state out Of
the wilderness. The man who settled
the Indians. The man who cleaned
out the horse thieves The man who
refused the crown. The states favor
ite son. DO you see the point now?"
Wrap mp the picture" said Kinney.
ITS as good as sold. why didn't YOU
say that at FIRST, instead Of philander
Ing along about art TIL resign my
seat In the senate and go back to chain
carrying for the county surveyor the
day can't make this state buy pic
lure calcimlned by a grandson of Iu-
clen Brscoe. Did you eyer hear of n
special appropriation for the purchase
OF home for the daughter OF One
Eyed Smothers? Well, that went
through Ike a motion to adjourn, and
old One Eyed never killed halfas many
Indians as Brlscoe did About what
figure had you ana the calclminer
agreed upon to sandbag the treasury
f0r?"
81 thought" said NIullens, that
maybe five hundred"-
"five hundredw interrupted Kinney
as he hammered on his glass for n
lead pencil and looked around for n
walter "Only Ave hundred for red
steer ON the hoof delivered by a grand.
son Of Lucien BrlscOel Where's your
state pride man? Two thousand is
what it'll be Youll introduce the bin
ana I'll get up ON the floor OF the sen.
ate and wave the scalp Of every Indian
old Lucien ever murdered. Let's sec
there was something else proud and
foolish he did, wasn't there? Oh YES;
he declined all emoluments and bene
lits he was entitled 10. Refused his
head right and veteran donation Ger.
tiiicates Could have been governor
but wouldn't Declined a pension.
Now's the states chance to pay IN.
lt'll have to take the picture. but then
lt deserves some punishment for keep.
ing the Briscoe family waiting so long
Wen bring this thing up about the
middle OF the month after the tax bin
Is settled Now, Mulens. You send
over as soon as you can and get me
the agures on the cost Of those irriga-
tion bitches and the statistics about
The increased production per acre. I'm
going TO need you when that bill OF
mine comes up reckon wen be able
To pull along pretty well together this
session aud maybe others to come, ell,
Senator?'
Thus did fortune elect to smile upon