The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-04
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES CHRISTY.

How Ee Cured observation-disclosures of the
Vice of Pass-Begging
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Oct 3.-One IF the characters
of the United States Senate is Jim Christy,
who is fat jolly-looking fellow of perhaps
forty five years .'Jim's" official position is dep
uty Sergeanta arms. and his duties consist in
all sorts of work, including the important bust
ness of seeing that the senators have all the rail
road transportation that they may need. Every
body about the Senate knows that Jim"
Christy can secure passes on railroads and steam
boats to all parts of the globe. but few people
understand how the Hon. Jim ''works the rack
et.' Some of them do not stop to inquire but
satisfied to take what they can get and no
questions asked Among this class, few years
ago, was Mr. Felter. who at that time had
charge of tho Senate restaurant. Felter is a
German and a successful business man. but he
is sufficiently Americanized to prefer dead-head
rides when they can be secured Felter
took a notion that he would like
to visit his relatives in Europe,
and naturally went to Jim Christy to help
him out. The desired passes were forthcoming,
and Felter pocketed them in high glee. A few
weeks after he packed his trunks and started for
Hoboken, where he mbarked on one of the Ger
man line steamers. Felter showed his papers to
the captain, and was at once received with open
arms. He was assigned to the best state-room
on the vessel, and his cabin was loaded with
flowers. He had the post of honor at the table,
and the finest wines in the stewards locker were
cracked for his benefit. In fact, he was treated
as if he were some great hero man of prom
insnce instead of an ordinary restaurateur. Of
course Felter could not understand, but he took
all that was offered and made tho best of the
situation.
Finally, the destination of the vessel was
reached and the passengers were landed Our
friend from the Senate restaurant found dele
cation of the principal citizens and municipal
authorities on hand to meet him. The mayor
seized him cordially by the hand and insisted
that Felter must make his home with him dur
ing his stay. His establishment increased; but
he accepted all without asking questions, but not
without some trepidation. On the second day of
his stay in the town he was banqueted by the
city and asked for a speech. He complied to
the best of his ability, and in response to requests
explained as we'll as he could the workings of the
But he was anxious to get away to his friends,
and also to solve the riddle of his wonderful re-
cepton. At last he met an old friend, whose
first greeting was the German for
''Why, Felter, what sort of racket are you
playing on them9
Felter asked for an explanation, processing to
be in the dark as to the meaning of his friends
inquiry.
He explained: Don't you know that these
people think you are United States senator!
The steamboat people announced the arrival of
Senator Felter, and our townsmen have attempted
to receive you with the honor which they con-
slider due your station"
This was enough for Felter. In half an hour
he had left the town and he has never re-entered
it. When he had concluded his visit he started
home by another line of steamers and paid his
fare like gentleman. When he goes to Europe
again it will not be ON deadhead pass.