Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-21
The Amenities Of Congressman.
1. J. Ramsdell in Philadelphia Press.

Inc AmcnAtieS Oh COngrcSSmens
n. j. Ramsdell in Philadelphia Press.
Another Congressman from TIE nnessee,
named Mullins dead now poor old fellow. was
exceedingly playful. He would dance and kick
up his heels in a very kittensh manner, and he
had cheerful habit of hitting his fellow-mem-
beers whacking blow on the back when they
least expected it. Yet he was not unpopular
among his fellows for he was always good ma
tured. and he had no idea his playfulness might
be offensive. But the funniest thing Mullins
ever dld was on very mOurnful occasion. A
virginia member q believe) had been killed in
a row by the klu-klux, think. At any rate
the funeral OratiOns were being pronounced
and more lies were being told than usual on
such occasions. Finally Mullins time came
and for him it was great OCCASION and great
use he made oft. If you will believe me- 1t
was the most ridiculous speech ever made in
Congress. Notwithstanding the pail which
hung over the chamber, the audience was con-
vulsed. One sentence Of the Grafton 1 re-
member and can never forget. Here It is. He
referred, OF course, to the murdered Congress-
man:
:. "He has gone down to his grave. wrapped in
the peaceful sOlilOquy of his own blood"
The House, at this burst of pathos. burst ont
laughing, and its members could not restain
themselves. / believe John McElhone and some
OF the members afterward fixed up the speech
in decent STYLE
hhotHcl eCCtHtTlC I6lIOW was the Delegate
from Idaho, three or four Congresses back. It
was his pleasurable habit on warm DAYS during
the sessions of the House to take q nap.
Back of the seats in the House. as everybody
knows, are sofas, wide and luxurious. placed at
snort intervals all around the hall. The hon
orable gentleman from Idaho would begin his
entertainment by nOdding in his seat Then,
more asleep than awake, he would shuttle to
one OF those sofas. First he would pull off one
boot, then think over it a moment, and finally
pull OIL the other one. Next he wonld unbutton
his vest and unlOOse his cravat Then to sleep
and to snorel
once had the misfortune to board at a ho-
tea trst-class hotel. My little family shared
very desirable table in corner with an hon
Orable Senator. 1t was in the DAYS of ANDY
johnson, and the Senator was in high favor. He
was very gOOd-natured, very honest, very frank
ana very green He was temperate, dressed in
DroadclOth, and never would bore you with too
much talk Indeed, may say he would have
been very agreeable but for one bad habit. He
would blow his nose on the napkin. The first
thing he did when he sat down to the table was
to spread out the snowy linen and .'whoop it
up like house afre. If there is anything in
the world that is revolving and cowardly it is
an anonymous letter, but to that Senator 1
wrote one, containing simply these words
why don't you blow your nose on your hand
kerchief instead of on your napkm?' 1t had
the desired effect, you may be sure That
senator is still living. though he is not now in
the Senate. If this paragraph ever falls under
his eye. he will know who it was that did him
one OF the greatest favOrs he ever received.