110 POLITICAL LIFE IV 



answered that they had them somewhat; some thought 

 that they had them "pretty bad," others thought that 

 there was "not much of it," others claimed that they 

 were "quite serious"; and, finally, in the examination of 

 a certain health officer who was very anxious to show that 

 he had done his best, there occurred the following dia- 

 logue which brought down the house : 



Q. (By Judge Whiting.) Mr. Health Officer, have you 

 had any "highjinnicks" in your district? 



A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Much? 



A. Yes, sir, quite a good deal. 



Q. Have you done anything in regard to them? 



A. Yes, sir; I have done all that I could. 



Q. Witness, now, on your oath, do you know what the 

 word "highjinnicks" means? 



A. Yes, sir. 



Q. What does it mean? 



A. It means the bad smells that arise from standing 

 water. 



At this the court was dissolved in laughter, but Mr. 

 Graham made the best that he could of it by the following 

 questions and answers: 



Q. Witness, have you ever learned Greek? 



A. No, sir. 



Q. Can you speak Greek? 



A. No, sir. 



Q. Do you understand Greek? 



A. No, sir. 



* ' Then you may stand down. ' ' 



The examination was long and complicated, so that 

 with various departments to be examined there was no 

 time to make a report before the close of the session, and 

 the whole matter had to go over until the newly elected 

 senate came into office the following year. 



Shortly after the legislature had adjourned I visited 

 the city of New York, and on arriving took up the evening 

 paper which, more than any other, has always been sup- 



