Wichita eagle., 1889-05-28

of executive sessions by saying that "if
Senators would not smoke during executive
sessions the air in the Senate chamber need
not be complained Of" This was bomb
shell. You know that what occurs in ex-
ecutive session is considered sacredly Sc
cret by Senators, and it was never known
before that smoking was one OF the customs
INDUCED in during those conclaves.
We all know that Representatives smoke
their cigars on the floor of the House, and
do other undignified things which are not
commendable; but that body of most po-
tent, grave and reverend seigniors, the
United States Senate, never before was
suspected of permitting the ignition of
cigar during either open or executive ses-
slons. II has been long suspected that
when the galleries are cleared, the doors
: closed and the lobby guarded, the dignifed
Senators have INDUCED in controversies
which occasionally lacked that decorum
which pervades the chamber when the
dear people are gazing upon every act and
deed But that smoking was INDUCED in
who would have thought ita No wonder
some of them complain of impure air dur
Ing executive sessions. Every crevice Is
closed and padded to exclude the escape of
a sound into the outer world, and of course
No committee of ''experts" can cure the
evil 1t is believed that by charging the
great air ducts, and minimizing the amount
of tobacco used, the Senators might benefit
themselves without remodeling the entire
Senate wing of the building on the plans of
experts"
There are numerous things at the Capitol
which need ventilating There is a res
taurant on the ground floor which IS large
~ patronlzed by Senators, correspondents,
committee clerks and visitors. 1t is not
and never has been managed on the cash
system. An ex-restaurateur Of the Senate
SAYS: II have had bills on hand ever since
1876. There are gentlemen of presentand past
public prominence who owe me all the way
from $40 TO 1866. They owe me for the food
they have eaten as well as for the wines
they have imbIbed with friends. 1t is
mighty mean man who will run q bill that
way. He stands away up In the world as the
representative of a sovereign State, and his
credit is good. How long could man keep
his place as restaurateur to the United
States Senate if he were TO refuse credit TO
q Senator for, say $50 worth of wine and
ediblesl II had objected to letting those
gentlemen run bills they would have COM
planned of discourtesy on my part, and I'd
have lost the position. If it is properly
managed, and cash is received for goods, the
position would be worth small fortune.
81 submitted 10 the inevitable, and al
ways believed the bills would be paid. But
they never have been. have stood about
here for seven years on pay days, watching
opportunities 10 present bills for two, nine
and twenty dollars-bills contracted by
committee clerks and messengers None
of them will pay. l can't compel them TO,
and MY children are today suffering for
necessities which ought to be furnished
them by me, but these gentlemen will not
give me what is my due. One Of the clerks
here to-day said to me: 1t is useless for
you to expect me TO pay for dead horse
What do you think of that?
There is a sergeant-at-arms of the Sen
ate who owes hundred and nine dollars
for meals furnished to him and to members
Of his family. Nothing but the best was ever
Good enough for them, and they grew fat
upon the yictuals purchased by my money.
] can't raise 4 cent now, and it was almost
dangerous for me TO present my bill, as the
man declared that he would not be per-
secuted by ne. Inasmuch as the policemen
ana watchmen were under his orders, he
might have elected me from the building"
Over at the House end of the Capitol there
sanotner restaurant, but no one ever sus-
pecteo mat place Of being good refectory
or drinkery. There have been celebrated
caterers IN charge Of the House restaurant,
but none OF them ever gave as oelectable
service as always has been presented at
the Senate restaurant The House is a
bigger BODY and ii attracts larger crowds.
They are always IN hurry and VIII pay
well for hasty service. Occasionally there
is member Of Congress like the Chester
teidian gentleman who recently repre-
scented the St. Paul AID Minneapolis dis