The Washington critic., 1886-02-12
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Some idea of what an executive ses.
sion Of the Senate is may be gathered
by the unsophisticated from the fol.
lowing graphic description by the Gin
cinnati Enquirer's correspondent: You
perhaps visit the Senate and get seat
in the gallery to look on; and all at
once little man in the corner rises and
says: "Mr. President, move that we
go into executive session." The first
thing you know you are chased out Of
the gallery by q doorkeeper, while Jim
Cristie, til C fat, confidential doorkeeper
below, runs under the chairs and desks
to see if somebody may not be con-
cealed there. Everybody goes, out,
and the doors are shut, and instead of
the usual clerk taking down the pro-
ceedings they bring in jim Young, who
is the executive clerk with a salary of
$3,500 year, ana Jim sits up there In
state and takes down the libels Then,
indeed, is the reign Of manners. The
presiding officer lights cigar. One
Senator puts his foot over the shoulder
of the Senator before him. You can
see how much party lines prevail by
the fact that Democrat is dancing
radical Republican on his knee and a
Republican executes handspring be-
fore the Presidents s desk. The case
arises of Virgins, who has been
nominated rs collector of Stam-
boul. The President has sent in
Virgins name from having read 49,
600 names signed to petition testify
ing him to be Christian and q scien-
tific man who has cared for his mother
since his earliest infancy, and borne
her upon his shoulders. One of the
Senators from this State at once arises
and accuses Virgins of having been q
horse thief. IIe presents letters from
the mayors of all the surrounding
towns to the effect that they would. not
believe Virgins under oath. his pe-
litical status is described as uncertain.
and that he Is a professional drunkard
and is an incurable lsleptomaniac. No.
body knows exactly how, but all these
remarks about Virgins somehow get
through the keyhole. Possibly there
is Pan, Electric Telephone in there
with Rogers poetical improvement
upon It, Virgins is sitting outside
reading file Of newspapers. He at
once sends a messenger in to the rival
Senator, who forthwith gets up and
shows that Virgins has been three
times baptized, has taken holy orders,
was champion of local option, and is
incapable anatomically of riding a
hoise, much less of stealing 1t. This
is executive session at the commence.
mcnt; few persons have ever remained
to the end.
~
One of the most persistent Office
seekers on record and resembling some
others that we have heard of who, II
unable to get what they wanted were
satisfied with what they could get, Is
written up in the Chicago Nesos by j,
II. Konnedy of Cleveland. The mans
name was Adams Lord and he was {
colored man who presented himself al
Mentor shortly before Mr.. Garfield
Inauguration with q request that he bt
appointed to the Liberian mission
This request was not granted. and Lore
next made plea for consulship a
some South African port. CARRIED
told him that he could do nothing fo
him, and then asked TO be excused, n
other visitors were in waiting. Mr.
Lord passed into the office and So
down. In an hour he again marched
into the house and asked for one wore
with the General. II don't like I,
waste the day." said he, "and / wlsl
you would promise me clerkship a
Washington" "My friend" sal,
Garfield, in his kindest tone. 81 an
making no promises. ] can do nothin,
for you. Go back to Cleveland, AM
after am inaugurated send in you
application in the proper way, and Sc
what can be done.' The colored ma
went back TO the office and sat down
A servant saw him there two hour
! later and gave him plate Of food