The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-04-26
Congressmen's Boys.
Basket of Chips from the Old Blocks.
Washington CritIe.l

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 man up tree
makes mental comments and says nothing. 1t
often comes under his notice that congressman
have children, though why they should have
is a 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 father, as it
were. In this connection it is not out of place
to say word or two of the children that FREE
quently grace the floor of the present house.
To start with, there are Congressman Bel
fords boys, a pair of fiery, red-headed cherabs.
There is no mistake as to 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.
"Beford's boys" are frequently the envy of
the most juvenile of the pages, because they
are such pets. Such members as have red hair
are most considerable of this pair. Should
equity member drop in some morning and an
Choir himself on a bent pin, "Belford's boys"
are blamed, and SO it happens that many boy
ish pranks of which members are victims are
credited to 'sBelford's boys" however inno-
cent they may be.
Leopold Morse has o pair of bright little lads
who often visit the house. They are mischiev-
GUS, as their venerable papa used to be, per-
haps, but more daring. On more than one oc-
casion they had caused the heart ofpater fdnait-
iGs to quake with alarm as they approached
and asked some sturdy representative point
blank 0uaStiOnc Svhau thay rOllnd cnittonnS
over the floor, or drew pictures with chalk on
members desks. Morse is proud of his heiss,
but he cant manage them, and the little fell
lows make it lively enough for him sometimes.
The prettiest and most favored children of
the congressional group are the brighteyed,
fair-haired boy and girl of Congressman Skin
ner. Their pretty manners and charming
prattle have made them popular with every one
connected with the house. They can climb ov-
er desks and all that sort of thing, but un-
like the majority of children of their ages, are
not boisterous or inclined to precociousness.
Mr.. Skinner is proud of them, and when the
house is in session, and he can sit behind his
desk with one on each knee, he seems the hap
piest nam 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 polite, and shakes hands and chats bright
ly with members on all sides. He's friend Of
Belford's boys, and when these little chaps are
together it is pleasant picture to watch their
many pranks. Two of the brightest children
are the daughters of Congressman Mills and
Dingley. They are handsome girls, and always
prettily dressed. Little Miss Mills is an espec-
ial favorite with Joe Blackburn, who takes
particular pride in teasing her with reference
to her fathers political status.
Mr.. Mills is a Greenbacke-, but Blackburn,
when talking with the little miss, always
speaks of him as Republican, at which the
little girl fires up with indignation, and with
I,n LAM hnr hoh linz poy 1or1d
rebukes Mr.. Blackburn fiercely, a fact which
pleases the latter immensely, and always at
tracts group of statesmen about the two.
Congressman Valentines boy is another who
is favorite in Congress, and is friend of
Master Harry Smith, son of the journal clerk.
These little chaps are bright, handsome and
full OF vigor, and complete the list of as fine
body OF youngsters as ever adorned Congress