TRICKS KNOWN ONLY TO OLD MEMBERS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1149, 16 September 1882, Page 4

TRICKS KNOWN ONLY TO OLD MEMBERS.

He was a fresh young Congressman from a rural district, and when he got to Washington he found that every other member had a private secretary, so he hired one. The “ Boston Post ’ tells how this Massachussetts Democratic Congressman then proceeded. One day he said to his secretary, “ Mr Seets, to-morrow I shall speak on the tariff question.” “ To-morrow,” said the secretary ; “ that’s rather a short time, but I guess I can do it. Which side are you on ?” “ The Free Trade, sir.” The secretary left the room, and the Congressman felt rather puzzled to comprehend his remark. Next morning, bright and early, his secretary appeared and handed him a paper. “ What is this ?” asked the member. “ Your speech.” ‘‘My speech?” “Yes, I’ve written out what you’re to say on the tariff issue.” “ You miserable wretch,” cried the enraged member, “do you assume to dictate what I shall say?” He drove the amazed secretary into the street; and would hear no explanation. Indignant he went down and told a friend, an old member, the story. The friend was shocked at the fellow’s impudence, but they looked over the speech, and found it read very well. “You did right to discharge lhe conceited rascal !” said the old member, and the next day the young member was tmazed to learn that his discharged seerrtary had been employed by his old friend.