The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-10
NEW ORLEANS BULLETIN
NEW ORLEANS, MATCH 10, 1919.
A Quaint Congressman.

4 wosbington correspondont Of the Boston
rHnIe sends his paper the following funny
sketch Of "character" at the capital: Stalk
ing about ia the House there Is an Nj. Z. who
nr9yokes quite as many derisiye smiles there
a. those which greet Dr. Mary in the streets,
ONLY armed in the ranoply Of an ACKNOWLEDGED
position, he rather cij0ys the curious gances
he must constantly meet. Evidently elected
by tho Changers evidently the practical
farmer" which Major Poore'5 biographical
sketch asserts him to be, and in the Post
Office Department they told me the first fanny
story about him
sir Marshall, First Assistant Postmaster
General, abhors slang. The dictionary Web
ster's, is to him "a well of English undo
fled, and whoever uttcrs in his hearing an
unusual word is instantly brought to-dic-
Gonary. Our NJ. O., wearing an ancient blue
coat sans buttons had fastened that garment
~ stick through its front button holes; his
drab hair was partly covered by an equally
Irab hat; and his mind was filled with
thoughts concerning corrupt officials TO whom
ne resolved to give no quarter whatever; so,
making his e,iree, he announced to the aston
jshed Mr.. Marshall his reformatory intentions.
concluding a t r this classic manner
Yes. sr, thar's got to be different doins
here; it's time these things was overhauied.
I've got the spondulcks, and I'm gwno squar
WHAT" demanded Mr. Marshall "The
spondulicks !" quoth ye granger, emphatic
aily. GO eorge bring the dictionary gasped
the gentem n. Mr. c., how do you spell
thai wordi'
The granger INDUCED in the customary dig
after ideas beneath the rim OF his hat, raising
it, you know, a little, and, clearing his
throat, began "S-p-o-n, spon; dew. dow;
Xix, hx! It means stamps, sir! - cor
said Mr.. Marshall, deep in Webster; but
Webster lived too soon, SO he couldn't find
any authority for the expression, and bis sub
ordinates say that at intervals all day he was
heard to mutter mournfully, "Spondulicks 7
Equally amusing was the designation, the
other dav, Of our statesmans better halt. who
sat in the members gallery with all the pride
of rightful dignity. Her spouse caught her
glance, beamed back at her, and, nudging n
gentleman near him said Say, you've hurd
of old --, down in Tennessee?' eyes. |
believe sor ,"Wel, yer see that gal up thar
pointing with his finser-"well, sir, she's his
eldest darter and she's my wife," That ''eal'
is forty, at least. Our statesman never makes |
a speech unless in some quiet committee |
room, but he votes early and often, and it is |
a touching sight to see the atfectlonate way in |
which he puts his arm through that of some
who shakes him off as soon |
is be decently can, not recognizing the |
affinity.
This winter his outer man is better dressed |
han it was year ago, but the cut of his
;oat, with its heavy pocket flaps and bullying
skirts, would make New York tailor commit |
;uicide. lie does wear fashionable boots,
with the projecting Scotch sole, but the up
pers are innocent IF backing; he has great
quantity Of hair, which looks as if it never
we're combed, though | am solemnly assured
hat it is, for he frequently amuses himself
hat way, during the morning hour, or while
he roll is b ing called, wiping the instrument.
There are countless amusing yarns about his
lotel experience, which he declared "cloan
,ustod him up" but I've given you enough
o show you what intellectual giants do some
ines get TO Congress, and now 1 want to go
p higher.