Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1883 — The Wrong Cicero. [ARTICLE]

The Wrong Cicero.

When the present State military law was a bill before the Begislaure a Representative one day John Hannon, the lobbyist aside and ottered him §2 to write him “a thundering good speech” in opposition to the bill. John hadn’t time, and the Solon took in each one of the reporters with ail offer of $2 50 without finding a taker. In despair he then returned to Ha Imo'S and said: “See here, Jbhti, I’ve got to make a speech opposing tfiat bilk My constituents are down uh It, and if I don’t op» pose it I’ll get in a box. What shalk l do? *; Can’t you give me “Y-e-s, I think,so, You might (starts in «t ; CjceroM,,,H!® w:tS| opposed to ajl military force, and insisted that education should rule.” “That’s the cake. Spdll his name with a big C, I suppose. Til send to Detroit for his life. What next?” Shakspeare welded a pen while others wielded a sword, and while hundreds of great generals have been forgotten his name lives on.” “Thatis so —thats so. That will he an old soeker to throw at ’em. I'll send for Mr. Shakspeare’s book and get him down fine. JVhat else?” “Demme see,” mused Jolifi, tf3->he Opened his tobabcoibox. don’t want to leave Cato out.” “What was he?” “Sort of an orato’4 and philosopher. He was down on everything military and was the Hero of the people.” got hint down and will look hiift up. I. guess I’ve got enough for the prestmt; but if I want other pointsT. 11 depend on you.” For two wee.ks the mftn labored almost day and night on his great speech, and was then excused for a week to go home and hlifit up other pointers. On ihc niOi'ning tff his return he met Harmon in front of the State House and called out : “John, I’ve got ’em— got ’em spiked down and bolted through and keyed up till they can't squeal! I’m all ready to go for ’em this afternoon!” ‘‘Yes, but the bill passed yesterday!” was the dry rejoinder of the lobbyist. It was a sad blow to the orator, and he never got quite over it. The reporters put him tip to use most of the speech in his argument in favor of a more stringent law for the protection of game but after he had finished his effort and was cooling off In the hall he replied to h questioner: • 1 “Yes, I have just made a speech forty minutes loqg, but what In Halifax old Cicero had £0 do with ducks and deer in Michigan is not quite a.s clear to my mind as I wish it was.- Maybe I got the wrong. Cicero. How many were there?” — Detroit Free Press.