Part 23 (1/2)

At a banquet in Washi+ngton in the winter of 1880-81, a large nu the nuentlemen were all prospective candidates for the Speakershi+p of the then recently elected House of Representatives The best of feeling prevailed, and the occasion was one of rare enjoyment and mirth Each candidate in turn was introduced by the toast-master as ”the Speaker of the next House,”

and in his speech each claimed all the others as his enthusiastic and reliable supporters The apparent confidence of each candidate in the support of his rivals reislator, which he requested his colleague froton district to relate

That the reader may appreciate the incident then related, soton He was a gentle, of inflexible integrity and an earnestness of purpose that knew no shadow of turning He was as devoid of any possible touch of humor as was his own marble bust of Thomas Jefferson He was the personal friend of Lincoln and of Douglas, and the political follower of the latter The fondness of a ers for the party of his choice Any uncomplimentary allusion to his ”principles” was considered a personal injury, and his devotion to party leaders, fro experiences in early life had given zest and tone to his style of oratory, which stood him well in hand in his many political encounters of a later day

For three consecutive terislature, and his record from every point of vieithout a blemish At his fourth election, it was found that for the first time in a decade or more his party had secured a majority in the House, to which the Doctor had just been elected The goal of his ambition was the Speakershi+p, and it truly seemed that his hour had now come

Soon after these facts were known beyond peradventure, the Doctor came one day into th and with much satisfaction, the Doctor modestly intimated a desire to be a candidate for the Speakershi+p I at once gave him the promise of my earnest support and inquired whether he had any friends upon who caucus He assured me that there were four members of the last House re-elected to this, upon whom he knew he could absolutely depend under all circumstances Upon my inquiry as to their names, he said:

”Hadlai,”--the Doctor, it iven me the benefit of an ”H” to which I laid no claim and was in no way entitled--”Hadlai, you take your pencil and take down their naive them to you”

I at once took ly toward the Doctor

”Hadlai,” he continued, ”put down Heise of Cook John and I have been friends for ate-at-large to the last National Convention, and he toldI can do for you, just let me know'”

To which I replied, ”Heise of Cook, dead sure,” and his naers column

”Now, Hadlai,” continued the Doctor, ”there is Arether in Ohio, and sat side by side in the Charleston Convention ere trying to nolas

He has told me more than once that if ever we carried the House, he was for me for Speaker above anyof La Salle in the same column with Heise of Cook

”Now, Hadlai,” continued the Doctor, after a moment's pause, ”there is cummins of Fulton; I helped elect Jiain and again that he hoped he would live to see me Speaker, so I can count on Jim without doubt”

I at once placed cu, and calmly awaited further instructions

”Now, Hadlai, there is Moore of Adaislature; he could neither get it out of the committee, nor the committee to take any action, so he came over to my seat terribly worried, and says he, 'Doctor, for God's sake, get rateful man you ever saw on earth, and told ht to do you a favor' I can safely count on him”

It is needless to say that Moore of Adams rounded out the quartette of faithful supporters

”Now, Hadlai,” re with apparent satisfaction the list I had handed hiive me some paper and envelopes and a pen and some stamps, if you have them handy, I rite to all of them now” The articles mentioned were produced, the letters written, staood Doctor departed in an exceedingly comfortable frame of mind

Time passes, as is its wont; but for so hith, I at once inquired whether he had received replies to his letters

”Come into the office, Hadlai, and I will explain” Pained to observe that the tone and air of confidence so perceptible in our last intervieas lacking, I folloith so into his office

”Yes, Hadlai,” he slowly began, ”I have heard from all of them

Heise of Cook [the fa] writes assuringfor whom he entertains ato unforseen co in his county, he has reluctantly consented _to allow his own name_ to be presented to the caucus”

The name of Heise of Cook was immediately stricken from the head of the list Then a reverie into which the Doctor had fallen was at length disturbed by ?”

”Yes, Hadlai, Arratitude of the party, or so well qualified for the office of Speaker as myself, but that the pressure froreat that he has _finally consented to allow his own name_ to be presented to the caucus”

”Fare-you-well, Mr Arentle the Doctor at length froain fallen, I ventured to inquire as to the state of mind of Mr

cummins