The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-07


The member from Iowa who called the at
tcnt.ou ul tine House to tine open and fla
grant mfraction of the joint rules forbid |
ding the sale of -pirltuous liquors in the
Capitol rendered public service There
are two restaurants in the building, attach
ed to the senate and to the House respect
lively. and the traffic in ardent spirits has
been notorious at 10th since the meeting of
Congress, without any real cnuIt having
been ""do to suppress it.
Both parties meet on common ground he
fore these bars, and join in a truce while
thus refreshing themselves for new con-
tests. one is equally responsible with the
other for the Republicans control the Sen
nj" side and the Democrats the House side.
The effect Of free drinking, to speak plainly
has been more visible in the legislation and
debates If the extra session than at Inv
time for many years past. All accounts
from Washington agree in mis- respect, and
the fact il disgrace to Copgrass. for which
there j. sufficient remedy IL there was any
moral courage 10 apply It on the part Of
those who possess IT,, power
1t has been puhlt. charged in responsible
Journals that several Of the absentecs at
the vote IN the Army bill were within easy
call. If they had been IN condition to answer
20 their names. Whether this charge be
true or false, it is no secret at all, as we
could wish il were for the sake of Congress,
that this vice has spread alarnlngly, ana
that "A spectacle is too often witnessed
. which is humiliating and disgusting.
The keeper of the restaurant of the Senate
Is appointed by the President OF that cham
hor. Cntil the last Congress the Speaker
uniformly madc the appointment for the
House. aul thus the responsibility was
diroct Mr. krhH referred II to the Conn
miitco on Public buildings and Grounds
which ro-ultrd iu an election and scandal
Mr. RANpALL followed Mr. kERR's example
and I'm" consequence l. a second scandal
worse if anything than the first
Mr. Cook Of GrOrgla l. Chairman OF thu
Committcoop Public Buildings and Grounds
and Nh. YoCNG If Tennessee is member o
IT, Each presented a candidate for tn
restaurant, ana the two aspirants final.
combined. agreeing to divide the spells be
tween them Wliskcy pays larger prof
than food, and when the consumption i
active this profit is proportlonatcly In
creased; 50 the business has been successful
and possibly would have continued so hu
tor TIL, movement In the House, wAic
The President Of the Senate and the Speak
rr Of the House will hereafter be held az
countablc for the enforcement Of the ruiz
No committee can stand between them an
his responsibility, because they are charge
with the order of the two bodies, and hay
complete control oyer the two wings of III
Capitol II membets Of Congress must Il
dulgo their morbid appetites, they shoul
DE required at least 10 go outside the built
Ing tor that purpose and be ordered of Il
iioor when H. IA gniit state 70 appear {
legislators,
Iiabiual drnKori Will not 81 course, be
strained by rules of either body, They W
md modo5 # evasion. and it Is general
known tnat -eyorai OF the committee room
have been fp' some time past little le
puhhc bar Than those licensed ones tn
adprn the approaches TO tho Capitol
tn'ec viii !, hay been tolerated inside wit