Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-07
"PUD" SLATER RECALLED
Death Notice Brings to Mind RenI.
nlscences Of Big Mans Legls-
Iative Career--An Absent
Minded Statesman
BY GEORGE NOX MCCAIN

BY GEORGE NOX Mccain
THE brief newspaper announcement that
i John +. Slater, n former member Of the
police force, had been found dead in his home
in this city, is a news item that in itself is
not calculated to attract any wide attention
If, however, the printed story had said
that Hon. John F. Slater, member Of
the Legislature in the sessions Of 1899
1901, had presumably committed suicide at
health former legislators of those sessions
over the state would have taken notice Of
the event.
Or had the news historians in their cold
calculating way announced that 'Pud"
Slater, one Of the most interesting charac-
ters that ever sat in the hall of the House
Of Representatives, had taken his own way
into the beyond, there are hundreds of men
in all ranks Of life in and around Philade
phia who would have recalled the giant fig
ure Of the dead man into the field of recent
memories
TOHN f. SLATER. or "Pud," as he was
y known to hundreds, was unique in his
way.
He was the largest man. so far as any
living recall. ! am sure, that ever occupied
seat in the Legislature. / think it per
fectly safe assumption that he weighed at
least n quarter of n ton. that Is, twenty
years ago when he was in his prime as to
political power and avoirdupoiS.
II Is n fact that Slater was compelled to
ride in day coaches because his vast bulk
did not permit him to squeeze through the
fat mans misery passage In parlor cars that
leads from the entrance door to the seats.
| may be in error as to this, but as re-
call he was never able to make his ponder
ous way into dining car Had be been able
to negotiate the entrance, he could never
have accommodated himself to the dining car
seats.
T IKE all big fat men, John Slater was
IL jolly, hail fellow we'll met parsonage.
When he laughed he shook all over, like
mountain of gelatinc.
TIe was popular even with the members OF
the factions opposing his friends. For
''Pud,' as he was called by his intimates--
the dimnutive, paradoxically. in his case
for Pudding g'-was an earnest ardent,
vociferous and explosive, when necessary,
adherent of the organization.
REFORM was an unknown word in his
dictionary; an obsolete word in his vocabu
larry. except when used in dorision.
His most striking characteristic was his
habit of expressing his opinion directly and
forcefully on any subject where his opinion
was required or volunteered
No member of the Legislature in the ses-
sions Of 1890. 1901 was ever in doubt as to
just where Slater stood on any question. It
was more than a redeeming quality It was
n virtue in him.
He was warm hearted and sympathetic,
two traits that brought him real friends in
spite of the handicap of sharp tongue and
a vast physical bulk
At the close Of the session of 1899. the
members of the House who were NIasons
presented Mr.. Slater with gold watch as
an evidence OF their appreciation of his real
qualities of heart and rugged nature.
pETRACING the trail of two decades or
~ more. former state official related an
amusing story the other day of a great man
in Pennsylvania affairs that is worth re-
peating.
For obvious reasons. the cloak of ano-
nymity must hang over his name.
The gentleman in question was not only
fluent conversationist. but unfortunately
when he beCume interested in a subject his
personality was lost in his carnestncss.
On one occasion he was entertaining at
breakfast at his home in Harrisburg two
very distinguished officials from another
commonwealth. They were on tour of in
Spcction. gathering information to be used
in their own state.
The wife Of the official was not only very
clever. capable and charming lady, but she
was also thoroughly acquainted with her
distinguished husbands peculiar genius Of
forgetfulnoss. In fact it was one of the
minor worries of her life
The fruit had been served at the break
fast and after it the finger bowls, and with
them began an earnest and engrossing de-
Scription of certain state matters in which
her husband completely lost himself.
Certain movements by him warned the
wife that II safety first signal was needed
slight cough, then a pronounced gesture
failed to attract his attention. Finally a
persistent little tapping with her fork
aroused him, though the guests discreetly
ignored the amusing comedy.
"Ah. what's the matter, dear? Am l.
nh. oil oN'in
crossed but blundoring host.
Not at ALL replied the lady. compelled
to adopt heroic measures. But since Won
have made it matter of notice. am re.
luctant to call your attention TO the fact that
YOU hav" been drinking out of your finger
bowl and are about to repeat it..
Curtain
A y ENTIRELY new anccdotc of General
"A I. s. Grant comes through n friend who
is a civil War veteran. It was shortly after
the close of the war when Grant was in
Washington. lie made his home at Will
lard'S Hotel then and for years after.
One morning in reply to the hotel man
agcrS inquiry about tn" great commander
Colonel Dunn, his chief Of staff renlied
that he was very much depressed.
''llo was out driving yesterday, said the
colonel "and his horse was beaten by
butchers. The general felt greatly hrmil-
lated"
II seems that tho day previous Grant was
driving his fast horse and was attcmptine
TO pass a butchers wagon. to which was
attached n spirited white horse. The latter
was evidently determined not to be passed
and he ran right away from the generals
horse,
Colonel Dunn said it was the finest moving
animal he ever saw and he was anxious to
purchase it for General Grant
The hotel manager had done a favor for n
we'll known riding master of Washington Of
that time, and the next morning the hotel
man engaged the services of the riding mas
ter to locate the animal the President so
much coveted.
I'll" horse was one Of the best formed in
Washington, but had been condemned and
sold to the butcher.
Colonel Dunn succeeded in purchasing the
butchers horse for $500 and this was the
animal that General Grant drove during nil
the time he was President.
THE NATIONAL SPORT
nall tt,,,,..