The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-26
Glaring Sins Against Social Decency and Out
rageous Violations of Accepted Rules of
Civilized Human Intercourse.
Congressman Who Are Known for Their
Generosity and Kindness of Heart.
The Instructive Life Story of John NJ. Fran
els. Who Has Achieved Success in Many
Ways-General Washington Gossip.
ILL-BRED CoNGREssMEN.
Narrowing Thoughts Suggested by Observa-
tions Taken in the Galleries

Narrowing Thoughts Suggested by Observa-
tions Taken in the Galleries.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %. TO one sitting in the
galleries of the House of Representatives, with no
especial interest in the legislative proceedings of
that body, the fact becomes painfully impressed
that the members of the Forty ninth Congress
are, collectively, an unrefned. if not distinctly
ill-bred body of men. Not only is the stern,
square jawed, tragedian like face of the Speaker
constantly looking and frowning at his confreres,
and calling out that the House shall be in order
which looks and commands are received with
the most indifferent attention-but the personal
habits Of the minority if not the majority, of the
chosen representatives of the people are vulgar
to degree simply astounding. The gauche and
ill-fitting conditions of an evening dress tie Of
white lawn, with a tweed suit red necktie
spotted with blue, and like trivalities, perhaps,
would not be noticed; but when you see a man
on his feet, surrounded by sixty seventy in
terested legislators listening to his putative ora
tory. calmly trying to assist thought by pairing
and cleaning his nails, and mistaking the carpet
for cuspidore, or convincing all present that
he has a real or affected case of catarrh, the
normally sensitive person cannot but notice and
protest.
1t would, perhaps be not fitting to refer to
actions deal more unpleasant, but this state
ment must 60 on record that there is no time
when the House of Representatives is in session
that at least 10 per cent of the members pres
ent are not endeavoring to perform that action
with the bare digits that the polite world gener-
ally uses the handkerchief for. The optimst
may say that this criticism is a bit finica and
unkind of men who are named to do their best
In a legislative way for the comm on people"
and perhaps the writer would have avoided this
comment If he had not seen the same miserable
misbehavior INDUCED in by an important frac-
ton of the seventy-six men who are selected by
the State governments What has been said to
occur in the House may be seen at any hour Of
any day in the chamber of the most honorable
body of Senators. Many of us smile, from that
action of the mind that makes residences go with
sneering at the inquiries concerning what to
do when other people are met and seen, and
talked with, and acted with, that one sees in the
public prints, but these communications gener-
ally bear date of some unheard of town OF ham
let; but when we see the very leaders of our
country offending against the most radical canons
of conduct which civilization has taught us is
fitting, it is time to loudly protest indeed. Be
cause man is noted, notorious or worthful his
sins against sweet decency should not be permit
ted to pass unnoticed. From hint given me
the other day am warranted in saying that you
will see certain gentleman come to his feet in
the House OF Representatives in the early days
Of the Fiftieth Congress and ask that an appro
priation be made for the purchase of a thousand
copies of the best book of the rules of civilized
human intercourse, for distribution in the House
and Senate, and coupled Herewith the request
that a committee be named to determine which
book of social laws shall be chosen.