Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-02-08
The Senate CIoak-Rooms.

where the senators hang up their hats
and coats and relax their dignity. There
is a clOak-rOOm on each side of the SEN
ate, extending from the main or south
entrance round to the side entrance on
the east and west respectively. The one
on the republican side is reserved for re-
publican senator's; that on the democrat
ic for the democrats. Each senator has
peg, underneath which his name is in
scribed, and on which he hangs his coat
and hat. The senator's right and title
to the peg marked in his name is re-
garded as perfect and descends to his
successors. Nothing but senatorial
wraps ever adorn these pegs. The
rights of republican senators are conhn-
ed to the republican cloak room, on the
east side, and those of the democrats to
the democratic cloak room on the west
side of the chamber.
This custom has been ignored only in
one notable instance. Senator Conkling,
during his service always hung his coat
and hat In the democratic room. He had
a peg nearest the senate chamber.
Though he made use of the cloak room,
he spent less time In it than, perhaps,
any other republican senator. He rare
ly ever stopped longer than was required
to doff or don his wraps. Why senator
Conkling made himself the single excep-
ton of the rule observed by all others
Of using the cloak room of their respect
i've side was a source of wonder to a
great many; but no explanation was
ever made. It isl somewhat remarkable
fact, observed by all visitors to the cloak
rooms, that there is marked difference
between the general tone and character
impaired to the two.
There is more sociability in the demo-
cratic room than liz the other. It seems
as if it were easier for the senators to lay
aside their oppressive dignity In the
democratic room. When republican sen
ators want to unbend for a while and,
while smoking cigar, exchange fun
ny stories, tell jokes, ETC., they fire.
quently visit the democratic cloak room,
There is an air of dignity which contin-
ually pervades the republican room. 1t
has been suggested, by the way of ex-
PLANTATION of this, that the most rigid
sticklers of senatorial dignity are on the
republican side, and they act as sort
of damper on their more stately associ-
ates.
Many good stories and Jokes on the
senators find vent through the cloak
rooms. Upon one occasion discussion in
the cloak rooms enlightened the senators
to the fact that joke had been prac-
ticed on them ALL It was alta time when
the secrets Of the daily executive ses-
sions were leaking out freely. In fact,
the executive proceedings were no Sc
crets, for the newspapers published every
thing that was said and done that was
worth publishing. Senator Edmunds is
strict constructionist to all rules and
laws. He believes in making executive
sessions secrets. No newspaper report
er ever found leakin him. It is doubt
full if any one ever tried. In one of the
executive sessions the subject of the ac-
curacy with which the papers got reports
of proceedings supposed to be secrets
was brought up by Mr.. Edmunds, who
protested against it and insisted that it
should be stopped. At this instance the
doors of the gallery were examined to see
if they were locked, and all the recesses
were looked into to see If any eavesd1op-
ping reporter had concealed himself
within the chamber. Senatorial dignity
even stopped to look under the benches
in the galleries, and under the seats in
the reporters gallery. Of course no in
truding reporter was discovered, and the
senate was convinced that none save
those legally entitled to represent heard
the proceedings. Notwithstanding this
preeaution, the newspapers continued to
publish full reports of the secret see-
sions, including the expedition to and
search of the galleries. After day or
two's talk of the matter, it dawned on
the senatorial mind that Mr.. Edmunds
had IN fact, discovered the method of
leaking, by the search he instituted. He
had compelled the senators to demon
strate that the only way in which the secret
got out was by some senators telling them.
He was not willing to stand up in the
senate and intimate that the senators
gave away executive secrets; but he COM
PEELED the senate to show that the body
contained the leaks. 80
A good joke was told by brother SEN
ator upon Senator Fair recently. The
Nevada senator called upon widow of
this city, who formerly resided on the
Pacific coast. The widow has bright lit
tie girl or 6 years of age. Senator Fair,
during his visit got on such friendly
terms with this young miss that she IN
sisted upon her showing him her doll.
It was very common rag doll, but of
course the little girl thought it was a
beauty. The senator left without being
aware that the doll was in his pocket,
where the child had put it. He discov-
cred it the next day, however, and instead
of returning it to it's juvenile owner, sent
her box containing number of very
handsome dolls. Upon the next visit to
the house, of course the little girl and
her mother thanked him for the present.
1t CHANGED that there were several per-
sons in the parlor on the occasion.
Looking up into the senator's face, the
child said: "My mamma said you could
have sent her 81, 900 instead of those old
dolls, and never missed it; you're SO
RICH"
New dinner cards are made of gelatin
and painted with designs of fruit and