National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-03
DOING THE CAPITAL
Experiences Of Character who Attempted to
Become familiar with the Prophecies OF OFF,

-"PS4AeHSesU4 dSnaISCIeE WAo AtteMPtsu "
Become familiar with the PrOprieties OF OFF,
eial Life and-''Take Something"
To the Editor Of The National Republican:
SIR: I've had an experience. don't often have
il; but when l DO it's pretty bad. 1 live in the
country, you know. l came into town to look
around. One gets ideas by looking around. l
went up to the White House. l always go TO the
White House; think it q duty owes to the
country. Sent my card up to the President; didn't
think it was 1.-The thing" to coup without sending
my card. proposed to give the President an In
teTvew. The President didn't reply in writing;
that wouldn't have been 1.-The thfnK;' he sent
down his Private Secretary, with his compliments,
and inquired If / brought news from Louisiana.
replied, No! Private Secretary remarked, the
President would not occupy my valuable time;
over, and didn't go up. 1t wouldn't have been
1.-The thing" to
INSIST UPON SEEING THE PRESIDENT
when he was so much occupied. l remarked:
long at the White House it seemed dry. was
dry, very dry, and went out to get something;
went round TO the Arlington, Corcoran's Art
and several other public buildings don't remem-
Der exactly all the places did 20 to, but went
to the Capitol. l always 90 to the Capitol; one
ought to encourage that sort OF institution when
il can be done without personal trouble. Went
into the Senate. l always go into the senate:
sense Of the dignity CT being an American eitt-
7en, though If were Intercepted as to what 1
think Of the general air Of
THE UNITED STATES SENATE,
l should say it's very dry. speak understand
iDgly that subject. I'm often so myself. l
was on this occasion, and didn't stay long in the
Senate. went out to see man; that man is an
old friend of mine. i always 90 TO see him when
l come into town. We went around together
went into the Senate restaurant. l always &c
into that place when l visit the CapttOl It looks
as if one wished TO patroniZe home rule and home
Industries. Besides it's pleasant to go there to
divest ourself Of the cares OF business and pre-
pare the proper
CONSIDERATION OF AFFAIRS OF STATE,
and take something. We went from there to the
Congressional Library; there were three OF us
then. I always visit the Congressional Library.
1t marks proper appreciation of the efforts Of
Congress to furnish suitable literature for the
legal representatives Of the sovereign people.
We took seats in the library, my friends 10 real
work of fiction, or science, or political econ
Omy. ! wanted no books; the air of that place
was full OF books. breathed thoughts in full
inspirations: had 10 occasion to consult authors;
there came from the closed alcoves of that store
house of learning volumes Of historic and poetic
Notion. which lifted my soul out of the enclosure
Of libraries and capitals into
THE UNIVERSE OF IMAGINATION,
and carried ne back into the long fOrEOtten ages,
till one Of my friends in r solemn whisper re-
marked, Isn't this confounded dry?"
A sudden recall of ones mind from the ideal to
the gross and real isn't always safe: but when ]
had recovered from this sudden shock and gained
my usual equilibrium, calmly replied, IL also
eNperieEce something Of that emotion; let's go
cut and take something" We went: we passed
through the TOtuNQa. stopping 0Tleuy 10 look
upon the pictures which hang upon the walls l
always stop criticise and admire those splendid
works of art. Its rather 1.-THE thing for every
American 10 give encouragement by his personal
presence. when it doesn't Interfere with his pri-
yate business to the exhibitions of art about the
Capitol. On this occasion felt it my duty to
cali TIE attention Of my friend to this subject,
and point out the great wrong we might do to
genius yet unborn by passing in silence
THESE WORKS FROM THE PENCIL
Of American masters. was going on to add that
n U1V,kUV IF
greater value TO the growth Of our country than
riches or hOnors or statesmanshiD, when my other
friend gravely remarked. Its too Internally
dry" On this hint we repaired to the spacious
dining rooms beneath the Hall of Representa-
tives. and there, with appetites sharpened by the
rambles and the eXcitements Of the day, sam
moned TO my side an attendant and ordered some
thing to eat. When we had rested and refreshed
ourselves. we repaired to the galleries of the
House o. Representatives. ! always spend an
hour or two In this popular House Of Congress.
1t seems more democratic than the Senate One
and the members themselves seem TO stand more
upon level with their constituents; in point Of
fast they are practically nearer to the people
than Senators are-four years nearer.
As myself and friends-I forgot to mention that,
at this time, there were four Of us-entered the
corridors, we observed that the galleries were
flled to repletion. and small boys were sticking
out at the door. Tried TO get into the ladies' gal
leres;
ALWAYS PREFER THE LADIES GALLERIES;
it offers an opportunity for my friends to observe
'its impossible, sir, to admit a gentleman here |
unless accompanied by a lady who will kindly |
allow MIN 70 SIT on heT lap. seats all full, sir
wouldn't carry three; private galleries closed. |
inquired, What means these thrOngs Of people? |
why these masses? some in holiday attire; some |
in garb Of industry, and some in nothing 10 par
ticulEr. Why do venerable matrOnsp press against |
tender youth? Why do delicate maidens tread |
upon the corns Of hoaTy- headed age: Why do ! |
behold such homogeneous cOmminglng OF pale
faced Caucasian and broWn-skinned Ethiopians? |
An ottcer. upon the buttons OF whose coat |
sparkled the "star OF our Republic, remarked,
1.-THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL"
As quick as thought my mind was made up |
That very day l had been presented with my |
tailor's bill, which l had ordered indefinitely |
postponed. had been handed my hotel bill, and |
had borrowed dollar and three quarters to
liquidnte II: with the friends my side had dis
eUssed the bill of fare, which my friends had |
kindly settled. Now, should ! depart from the |
capital Of the nation, and lot have the proud |
honor Of witnessing the passage OF the civil |
must enter those galleries! was about 10 call |
TO my assistance that aforementioned Star
Spangled official, when a side door near Were
old friend smiled through the OPENING we'll
known voice remarked, that's too tklndering
dry,
--SIyAEp TAEP s6IETHING."
:: took something, hut not long did
we er1T Tr~: civil rights bai mao s pTs,saS
soul, became part Of ID!
through the erOwd-there were nYe or more oil US
into the galleries and iLto seats among the sober
sleepers. civil rights bill'' rdug III Iiy ears,
echoed from the Speakers gavel, roared from all
the members on one side Of the hall, taintly over
the other. and snorei in the galleries Ladies /
whispered over opposite: glass overhead sparklet |
down civil rights - members called Mist. /
SurEkerlr Question: Civil Rights sIist. |
Question" speaker Speaker rose; two speak |
eTs Icse-sWear there were two speakers!
HAD GOT DIZZY;
hot air, 'spose Members got up into galleries; |