The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-27
LAWMAKERS AT THE PLAY.
Congressman Who Are Often Seen in
the Boxes and Orchestra Stalls.
From the Netp York World

Congressman Who Are Often Seen in
the Boxes and Orchestra Stalls.
From the Neo York World
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The Washington
theaters are always well patronized by sena
tors and members, during the sessions of con
gress. On particularly swell occasions,
when the attraction is a successful operate
or dramatic star, dozens Of statesmen can
be counted in the boxes and orchestra
stalls at Albaugh's opera-house, or the
National theater. Senator Cullum, of Hi.
nois, is one of the most indefatigable theater
goers. He is usually seen on air the leading
first nights. He prefers drama to comedy,
and has a particular weakness for Shake
spearian tragedy. Senator Ingalls, likes
comedy, but he, too, is fond of Shakespeare,
well put on. The Kansas senator is a great
student, and recognizes anachronisms as far
as he can see them. A bit of armor of the
wrong period or a wig slightly out of date
sets his teeth all on edge. Everything must
be historically correct to suit his fastidi-
GUS taste. Senator Ingalls, has a
private penchant for spirituaistic seances
and ghost shows, which he now and then in
dulges on the quiet. Senator Edmunds is
occasionally seen at grand opera. He does
not know much about music-says he could
not tell absolute pitch" from coal tar-but
he loves to hear the big orchestras and the
fine choruses. He will sit through a per-
formance with his chin resting on his breast
and his eyes half closed, much as he sits
when Call or Reagan is making a tariff
speech, drinking the music in. Senator
Evarts goes to see Joe Jefferson whenever
he plays 1.-THE Cricket on the HEARTH and
some people imagine they see sort of re-
semblance between the gaunt old New
VOrEar and Iaffor.np1c SsTa1ab
Senator Reagan is fond of the opera, and
does not mind if it is only comic opera
either. Sometimes he takes his colleague,
Senator Coke, of Texas, with him. Coke
does not think much of opera, but he likes a
good tragedy, in which half S ore of
people are killed or wounded. 1t reminds
him, he says, of old times in Texas. Sen
ator Gray, of Delaware. frequently goes
to the theatre. His favorite entertain
ment is old English comedy, of
which he gets very little in Washing
ton. Senator Hiscock is sometimes
seen pretty well down in front at English
opera. He is also partial to Shakespeare,
but it must be well done to suit him. Tim
Campbell goes to the theater whenever a
New York play is on. He sits right down
In the "bald-headed row. and smiles proudly
all the way through, as if the success of the
representation were of his own bringing
0b6T aul hdlODev ana ATcnl6
Bliss attend the theater regularly. Archie
sits In box usually as be Stands in" with
nearly every manager on the road. He can
get seat when there is standing room
only" for the rest of the late-comers. Ma
honey has been in Washington but few
days since his recent marriage. but each
night his broad expanse of shirt-bosom and
beautiful Dundreary whiskers have been
seen in a box at Albaugh's.
Little Deacon White goes to the theater
to relax his nerves, which are kept on a
pretty severe tension all day by the Wall
street rumors and the flaying which the
'soulless corporations" the deacon repre-
sents are always getting at the hand of anti
monopoly members of the House, Deacon
White was yanked out of the theater sever
al times last session by the sergeant-at-arms,
who was looking for quorum. The dea--
con drew his head down into his big coat
collar, but the sergeant was lynx-eyed and in
exorable. Sunset Cox was another MEM
Der who, under call of the Houee, was
compelled to leave his $1.50 orchestra chair
to give his excuses at the bar. Cox is very
fond of French comedy and light opera
Major Martin, of Texas, "who blowed out
the gas" and hit the reporter who wrote
him up, goes to the theater now and then
He likes comedy but has no use for tragedy
Here is his criticism on Frederick
Warde's Richard I'LL, given to his bosom
friend, Col. Bob Vance, of Con-
necticut: ''The whole thing made me
tired. sab. l don't like that ah sort of
play. It's all nonsense, sab. You take
nice sassiety play like the 'Parlor Match,
or something of that sort, sab. where people
wear clothes like ourn, sab, and if you shet
yo' eyes now and then you'll forget it's
play, and fool yo'self into thinking its all
real, sab; but to see Teller wallerin' round
on the flo with tin corset on and Mexican
dollars sewed all over his clothes for armor,
bangin' on q board ho' that sounds holler.
with sod as long as four bowie knives,
sab, and yellin' for boss, a boss, when you
know, sab, if he had one he couldn' ride it,
and tibet the critter would bust through the
io', sah-why, that makes me sick; it do,
sab, by CAD, sah."
Mr.. Mills is occasionally induced to let
the tariff take care of itself for a little while
and attend a good play. He is not much of
a judge of acting, but he likes natural
comedy and knows it when he sees it.
Wade of Missouri is another member who
was frequently captured at the theater by
the officers of the House during the famous
deadlock of last session. He is strong
on border drama. HIS favorite is
"Davy Crockett" Kilgore of Texas
who is fast becoming famous for his oppo-
sition to all measures looking to the perpet-
uation of the memory of any soldier. no
matter in what war he fought, goes to the
theater very often. His speciality is the
spectacular, and he sits right behind the
bass drum. Ford of Michigan doesn't care
a rap for tragedy; he fully shares Major
Martins opinion on this subject, but he is
very partial to light opera His side part
ner in the House is Guenther of Wisconsin,
who claims to be Ford's guardian angel
Guenther directs Ford in the way he
should 60, and has hopes of elevating
his taste in the way of music. Guenther Is
strong on grand opera, and pretends to I'M
derstand and admire Wagner. Ford doesn't
believe it. Ashbel p. Fitch, who is a little
as to which side of the House ne
should sit on, is fond of comic opera and
burlesque. He goes to tile theater now and
then with Moffett of New York, whose
tastes run in the same direction. Some
times Bob Vance and Amos Cummings e,
too These four make up what is known in
the House as the Excelsior Quartette,"
and wherever they go there is plenty Of fun.
Springer of Illinois is quite a theater-goer.
He likes all sorts Of plays, but is specially
fond If LIGHT cDrnady-if IL is NOT too LIGHT