The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-05-18
Congressmens' Pets.

Looking down from the reporters gal
lery of the house, the weilder of the
quill now and then has an opportunity of
witnessing some very funny sights, and
like man up tree, makes mental COM
ments and says nothing. 1t often comes
under his notice that congressman have
children, though why they should have
is q mystery, and that some of the child
rem are very good, and that some are
very pretty, and that Others are very
ugly, and very, very bad, exact counter
parts of their fathers, as it were. In this
connection it is not out of place to say
word or two of the children that fire.
quently grace the floor of the present
house.
To start with, there is Congressman
Belford's boys, a pair of iry red-headed
cherubs. There is no mistake as to
whose boys they are, for their stop
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 dis
concerted, and scramble over the desks,
and make themselves at home and are
favorites with even the gravest states
men. "Belford's boys" are frequently
the envy of the pages, because they are
such pets. Such members as have red
hair are most considerate of this pair.
Should equity member drop in some
morning and anchor himself on a bent
pen, "Belford's boys" are held RESPONSE
BILE. Should another find his ink we'll
filled with water ''Belford's boys" are
blamed, and so it happens 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 vener-
able papa used to be, perhaps, but more
daring. On more than one occasion they
have caused the heart of pater-familias
to quake with alarm as they approached
and asked some sturdy representative
point blank questions, or when they
rolled spittoons over the floor, or drew
pictures in chalk on members desks.
Morse is proud of his heirs, but he can't
manage them, and the little fellows
make it lively enough for him sometimes.
The prettiest and most favored chill
dren of the Congressional group are the
bright-eyed, air-haired boy and girl of
Congressman Skinner. Their pretty
manners and charming prattle has made
them popular with every one
connected with the house. They can
climb over desks, and all that sort of
thing, but unlike the majority of child
rem 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 man in congress.
Congressman Hammond, of New York,
has fine little son, who always makes
friends, and when he stands around the
door he is dignifed and polite, and
shakes hands and chats brightly 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 especial favorite with Joe Blackburn,
her with reference to her fathers poll
tics.
Mr.. Mills is Greenbacker, but Black
burn when talking with the little miss,
always speaks of him as Republican, at
which the little girl fires up with indig-
nation, and with all the language her
baby lips can command, rebukes Mr..
Blackburn fiercely, a fact which pleases
the latter immensely, and always attracts
q group of statesmen about the two.
Congressman Valentines boy is
another who is favorite to congress, and
is a friend of Master Harry Smith, son of
the Journal Smith.
These little chaps are bright, hand
some and full Of vigor, and complete the
list Of as fine q body of youngsters as
ever adorned congress- Washington
critic.