The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-05
AMONG THE SENATORS.
History of the Attempt to Introduce
the Flannel Shirt into the Chamber.

History OF the Attempt to introduce
the Flannel Shirt into the Chamber.
Fro,, the Neo York Graphic
Senator Blackburn was the first senator
upon record to intrudc flannel shirt into
the senate, whore stiff. starched, plated shirts
and black ties have been the recognized rule
from time immemorial.
1t was one of the days of couple of weeks
ago. The mercury had rapidly put the
eighties and nineties behind it, as it steadily
mounted even higher and higher i'll the
glass tube OF the thermometer The heat
in the chamber was excessive. One by one
the stiff collars and immaculate shit fronts
of the perSpiring statesmen sHccumbed to
the torrid breath of old Sol. The senate was
in n state of wilt.
1t was at this juncture that Senator
Blackburn came out of the cloak room and
paused for a moment before taking his
seat. He was attired in IA light blue suit,
low-quarter shoes and wore a flannel shirt
He looked both cool and debonair The shirt
was a nice one and showed off his manly form
and ample girth TO advantage. A silk scarf
of Eauzy texture was tied iauntily at the
collar
As he stood there for moment, Senator
Ransom, that disciple of spotlesS linen and
grave dignity, happened to look up and saw
the apparitiOn of n flannel shirt in the
senate. He was evidently astonisned, if not
shocked. He rubbed his eyes and looked
again, as he could hardly believe his sight.
But there was no mistake. There was the
flannel shirt, sure. In an agitated manner
he called the attention of Senator Salisbury
to it, and they held whispered conference
over this glaring act of mira dig.
Some other senator's of the old school had
by this time discovered it, too, and a SUP
pressed ripple of commotion pervaded the
chamber Whether it was Senator Black
burn regretted himself Of his own temerity
or saw the CONSERVATION of his colleagues,
at any rate the shirt was dotted next day
and has not appeared since
Senator CoCkrel Is as unconventional in
his attire as he is bold and rugged in nature
and fearless i'll speech. Tail and rather
spare III frame, brOad-shouldered, big
head with wide and deep brow, nose a
little inclined to Roman, he is a figure that
would co nmand attention anywhere He
wears a loose fitting alpaca coat uubuttoned
to snow broad expanse of shirt front Ills
trousers come just far enough down to show
pretty good stretch of shoe leather, usu-
ally unpublished.
When he gets warmed up into speech he
has peculiar way of advancing towards
the person addressed, with an almost cat
like tread, shaking his long forefnger at
the object of his invective. He is keen
and alert, and as always on the lookout for
bills that in any way convey n suspicion of
lob
Senator Cameron is one of the most fas-
tldious men in the senate as to Dress He
buys his trousers by the half dozen pair,
and they are usually of decidedly English
tone and cut. The low-cut vest and regula-
ton plated shirt front have no attraction
for him, and as for entering the senate
without vest is probably a thought so
foreign to his habits rs never to enter his
mind. He says little, and that little to
the point; seldom enters debate, and is as
terse and laconic as Senator Stewart is ver-
bose.
On hot day Senator Mitchell comes out
in a white flannel suit. The youthful air
which it gives him is offset by a dark
beard, which extends to the second button
of his vest.
Senator Edmunds is one of four senator's
who make a small law library out Of the
front of their desks. He has seat in the
first row, and, i'll front of his desk, shelves
have been constructed and twenty-six pom
derous volumes of legal decisions show their
butf-colored bindings. the books are
mainly United States statutes and works
of reference. No dust collects upon them,
for Mr. Edmunds reverts to them fire.
quently. He is never happier than whom
an opportunity occurs to quote the law
upon any bill or question under discussion
After the morning hour when he has had
his lunch, etc, he will quote the law upon
the slightest prOvocatlon, and is always
ready with suggestions upon the matter
pending. He sits with his head down upon
his breast in quite Napoleonic attitude,
but is keeuly alive to everything that goes
on around him. Since Mr.. Thurman left
the senate Mr.. Edmunds has been much
alone. He does not affiliate in social way
with his colleagues to any considerable ex-
tent, and it is said that when, III the beat of
the day, he adjourns to his committeeman
to revive little bit, he sadly misses his old
boon companion.