Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-04-21
CONGRESSMEN,S KIDS.
How the Youngsters Make Things
Lively in the House.
Washington Critic

Looking down from the reporters
gallery OF the house the wielder of the
quill now and then has an opportunity
OF witnessing some very funny sights,
and like a man up q tree, makes men,
tai comments and says nothing.
1t often comes under his notice that
congressman have children, though
why they should have is mystery, and
that some of the children are very
good, and that some are very pretty,
and that others are very ugly and very,
very bad, exact counterparts of their
fathers, as 1t were.
In this connection it is not out of
place to say a word or two of the chill
dren that frequently grace the floor of
the present house.
To start with, there is Congressman
Belford's boys,a pair of fiery red-head-
ed cherubs. There is no mistake as 10
| whose boys they are, for their top-knots
pronounce them veritable chips of the
Old block. These little lads come up to
the house quite often. They are each
about two feet high and very bright
Whether the father is present or not
they are by no means disconnected, and
scramble over the desks and make
themselves at home, and are favorites
with even the gravest statesmen.
"Belford's boys" are frequently the
envy of the most juvenile of the pages,
because they are such pets. Such mem
bers as have red hair are most conside-
rate of this pair. Should equity menl-
Der drop In some morning and anchor
himself on bent pin, 'Belford's BOYS"
are held responsible. Should another
find his ink-well filled with water. "Bel-
ford's boys" are blamed, and so it hap
pens that many boyish pranks of which
members are victims are credited to
"Belford's boys" however innocent
| they may be.
Leopold Morse has pair of bright
little lads who often visit the house.
They are mischievous, as their veneer
able papa used to be, perhaps, but
more daring. On more than one occa-
sion they have caused the heart of pa
ter tamllias to quake with alarm as
they approached and asked some stur-
dy representative point blank questions,
or when they rolled spittoons over the
floor, or drew pictures with chalk on
members desks. Morse is proud of
his heirs, but he can't mango them and
little fellows make it lively enough for
him sometimes.
The prettiest and most favored of the
congressional group are the bright-eyed,
falr-haired boy and girl of Congressman
Skinner. Their pretty manners and
charming prattle has made them popu-
lar with everyone connected with the
house. They can climb over desks and
all that sort of thing, but unlike the
majority of children of their ages are
not bolsterous or inclined to precocious-
ness. Mr.. Skinner is proud OF them,
and when the house is in session, ard
he can sit behind his desk with one on
each knee, he seems the happiest man
In congress.
Congressman Hammond, of New
York, has fine little son, who always
makes friends, and when he stands
around the floor he is dignified and po-
lite, and shakes hands and chats bright
ly with members on all sides. He is a
friend of Belford's boys, and when these
little chaps are together it is pleasant
picture to watch their many playful
pranks.
Two of the brightest children are the
daughters Of Congressman Mills and
Dingley. They are handsome girls and
always PRETTY dressed. Little Miss
Mills is an especial favorite with Joe
Blackburn, who takes particular pride
in teasing her with reference to her IA
theirs political status.
Mr.. Mills is a greenbacker, but Black
burn, when talking with the little miss,
always speaks of him as a republican,
at which the little girl fires up with in
dignation, and with all the language
her baby lips can command, rebukes
Mr.. Blackburn iercely, fact which
pleases the latter immensely, and al
ways attracts a group of statesmen
about the two
Congressman Valentines boy is an
other who is a favorite in congress, and
is friend of Master Harry Smith, sor
of the journal clerk.
These little chaps are bright, hand
some, and full of vigor, and complete
the list of as fine BODY of youngsters
as ever adorned congress.