Evening star., 1945-09-02
Capital Sidelights
Bu Will p. Kennedu.


scenes have occurred in the Capitol,
but in cloakroom talk about them
the fortunate escape of President Jack
son from assassination on January
81, 1885, as he was leaving the
rotunda, after having attended the
funeral of Representative Warren r.
Davis of South Carolina, seems to be
ignored President Jackson's friends
had celebrated with banquet on Janu-
AIRY 8, 1885, the anniversary of the Bat
tie of New Orleans and the payment on
that day of the last installment of the
national debt. The great Missouri
Senator. Thomas Hart Benton, presided
and exulted that "in the 58th year of
the Republic the apparition, so
long unseen on earth, of great Nation
without national debt, stands revealed
to the astonished vision of a wondering
world!" In toasting President jackson
he wished: May the evening of his
days be as tranquil and as happy for
himself as their meridian has been
resplendent, glorious and benehcent for
his country"
The attempt on the life of the Presi-
dent always was believed by Jackson to
have been plotted by political enemies.
However, an extensive investigation
failed to confirm his suspicious
He was leaving the Capitol when
man stepped forward from the crowd,
leveled a pistol at the President and
pressed the trigger. The percussion
cap fired without discharging the pis-
tol. The assailant dropped it and raised
another, which also missed fire. Gen.
Jackson then sprang toward his as
sailant with upraised cane, but 1t.
Gedney of the Navy knocked the man
down before Jackson could reach him
The attempt was made by an English
house painter named Lawrence, who had
been out of employment for some time
and had heard that the Presidents
opposition to the United States Bank
had paralyzed industry and employment.
y X
One of the most amusing, but ex-
tremely dignifed, scenes in the Senate
was on October 13. 1881. when Senator
David Davis of Illinois, who weighed
more than $50 pounds, was elected
president pro tempore Of the Senate and
was escorted to the chair by Senator
Henry B. Anthony of Rhode Island, the
Republican nominee who would have
been elected had Davis voted for him,
and Senator Thomas Francis Bayard,
ST., of Delaware, Democrat, who had
been deposed by Davis vote. Senator
Anthony previously had held the Office
and held it again after Davis withdrew
Bayard had held the post and later was
Secretary Of State in President Cleve-
lands cabinet and subsequently AM
bassador to Great Britain. Senator
Davis had 20 years previously been ap-
pointed to the United States Supreme
Court by President Lincoln, and 10 years
before had been a candidate for Presi-
dent on the Liberal l-Republican ticket,
receiving 921a votes on the first ballot.
He was ST years old when elected presi-
dent pro tempore. He was dressed for
the occasion in black broadcloth coat,
light trousers and vest, white cravat
and low-quartered shoes. His broad
countenance was wreathed in smiles.
In brief speech he accepted the posi-
ton as a tribute 10 the independent
grounds which he claimed to have long
occupied in national politics.
Thomas Jefferson won the election
for President over Aaron Burr on Feb
ruary II, 1901, because the husband OF
Burr's first cousin, Lewis r. Morris of
Vermont, who had been voting for Burr
on IS ballots, thus offsetting the vote
OF Matthew Lyon for Jefferson, absent
ed himself on the seth ballot. Mrs
Morris was Mary Dwight, and her
mother, Mary Edwards, was a sister of
Esther Edwards. Mary and Esther were
daughters Of the Rev. Jonathan Ed
wards. Esther had married the Rev.
Aaron Burr, and they were the parents
OF Aaron Burr, who became Vice Presi-
dent, and whose father and grandfather
had been presidents Of Princeton Col
lege.
4 II + 4
The "Tatooed Man" was derisiye
appellation widely given to James 6.
Blaine during the presidential cam
paign of 1884. It was prompted by
cartoon in New York illustrated paper,
which represented Blaine. the Repub-
lican presidential candidate, in the role
Of Phryne before the Athenian judges
with his robe removed and his figure
tatooed with the name Of the scandals
with which his enemies had branded
him This cartoon was reprinted and
thoroughly circulated as campaign
document.