Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-07-10
CAPITAL CULLINGS.
Horse Racing in the House-Of
Historical Interest.
Correspondence of the ISrER.OcEAN.l

Historical Interest.
Special Correspondence of the ISrER-OcEAN.I
WASHINGTON, July ~6.-Congress has
been wrestling with appropriation bills
this week, hoping to hasten an adjourn
ment, but that event is still far off. No
matter how urgent their work, however,
u lawmakers can always find time to
stray off into irrelevant paths in the
midst of any debate. No matter Aow
important the question under consider
alton, not a day passes but that both
legislative halls of the capitol are scenes
of undignified assaults of members upon
each other, partisan thrusts and acrimo-
Nous personalities.
While looking down at the represen-
tatives of 100000 Of people, your cor
respondent is often grieved at the au-
dacity and effrontery of the legislators
who turn from the mighty responsibility
and pressure of public business to waste
time over their own petty wrangles and
personal animoslties. The present week
has been unusually prolific in quarrels
Of this kind and in the revival Of little
feuds. One of the most ludicrous scenes
took place between Congressman Cobb
and Laird. Hot words passed between
them for several minutes. and fiat con-
tradictions and threats followed, when
both jumped up threateningly, and each
told the other that he had better not
threaten.
And no matter how great the urgency
OF public business, congressman take
time for a little pleasantly whenever an
opportunity is presented. Today the
fun may be at the expense Of one of the
national capitals monuments. Tomor.
row it may be a cabinet officer who is
placed in some ridiculous light. Yes
terday it was the new pension building
that was assailed with the battery Of
ridicule. Representative Durham put
it mildly by calling it an architectural
monstrosity. Representative Rogers re-
ferred to il as q cross between a car sta.
BILE and a union depot. Mr.. Springer
thought it vas ugly enough to be blown
up with dynamite, while Mr.. Cannon
admired the structure very much, and
Mr.. Mcmillan said that he Father
liked it.
Senator ingalls,, of Kansas, predicts
that the senate will undo some of the
work recently done bv the house when
that grave and august body gets a
chance. He referred to the bill passed
by the house prohibiting pool selling,
book making, betting on sports, cleo
tons, or other events, and gambling Of
all kinds in the District Of Columbia.
There was a spirited debate in the house
at the time. Representative lIemphill,
of South Carolina, said that every state
had a law Of this kind, and as we were
a Christian nation, the people of the
District of Columbia should receive AS
much moral help as people elsewhere.
Representative Adams, Of New York,
who undertook to point out the fatality
Of such laws, asked if they were not
uniformly evaded in every state. The
South Carolinian was not prepared to
deny the allegation, hut commended that
the law was good, and that because peo-
pie were bad enough to break it was no
reason why it should not be made.
Representative Barbour, of Virginia,
was also opposed to placing legislative
restrictions upon horse racing and other
such pastimes. He held that it was of
national Importance: that we wanted to
cultivate that noble animal-the horse.
"But is this bill against horse racing or
against bettlng?" asked Mr.. Weaver, of
Iowa. "Oh, everybody knows said
Mr.. Barbour, shat YOU can't keep up
horse racing without the interest that
betting gives" But the house passed
the bill against such sports, and that is
the one which Senator ingalls,
Says luc senate VIII kll WIlcl
it comes before it. We are in
clined to be very wicked on the sen.
ate side of the capitol said he, and the
Puritanical ideas that seek to take root
in Washington will not be fostered
much by our treatment. He holds that
people have a right to do as they please
with their money, but 1t is to be hoped
that he is mistaken as to the sentiment
Of the senate on this subject.
So many interesting and important
events have occurred IN Washington, and
so many distinguished people have
lived and died here. that it is at last
suggested that houses and spots Of his
torical interest be designated in some
way. 1t is rather strange that the city
fathers have not attended to this before.
1t would add greatly to the interest anc
pleasure Of visitors to Washington i
tablets were placed upon the walls o.
houses, similar to that marking til.
house in which Abraham Lincoln wa
borne to breathe his last. For instance
"On this spot George Washington bull
a house intended for his winter home.
SIN this house died Henry Clay
"The residence of Daniel Webster.
1.-THE boarding house Of Aaron Burr.
ain this house the assassin attempted