The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-26

little knots OF people waiting the ap-
pearance of statesmen for whom they have
sent On the faces of most of these wait
ers are expressions of anxiety, of yearning,
of hope or despair. In nine cases out of
ten these callers are claimants, Office seek
ers or would-be money borrowers. They
are the people who are eternally wanting
something, and one cannot much blame
the congressman who finally become wear
led, and refuse to come out TO listen to APP
peals which they cannot satisfy.
Many newspaper men are among these
thropgs; but the newspaper men, conscious
of their rights and knowing the ropes do
not linger out in the corridor with the
common run of callers. They step past
the doorkeepers and into the little lobby
just beyond, where there are a couple of
seats, and there await the coming of their
men. 1t has become one of the traditions,
one of the unwritten laws Of the house OF
representatives that a member must al
WAYS respond to the call of a newspaper
correspondent Occasionally there are good
reasons why a member should decline to
come out, and a good excuse Is always
taken graciously. But let a member once
become known as a lOrdly, lazy chap who
does not care to be bothered by the news
paper writers and that mans fate Is sealed.
Newspapers make and unmake men in
Washington as they do everywhere, and
the man who is not willing to be courteous
to the representatives of the press need not
expect much courtesy in return.
Not so fortunate are many of the menu
bers of the throngs which are always at
the doors. Scores of them turn away dis
appointed when the statesman for whom
they have sent returns word by the door
keeper that he is too busy to come out,
that he has a speech on hand, or that he
must stay inside to vote. l have seen
women turn away from the door with
tears in their eyes on hearing soma such
word as this, as if their last hope were gone
and the future all dark before them. Per-
haps the congressman who would not take
the trouble to come out and see them was
their last reliance for a situation under the
government, or for dollar with which to
buy food or q railway ticket home.
One Of the sad phases of life in the Capt.
toll corridors is the large number of human
wrecks seen lingering about. Over there,
some distance from the main door of the
house, half secluded in a niche in the wall,
stands an old fellow who could have been
seen there yesterday, the day before and
the day before that. He is almost in rags,
his shoes have great holes in them, he
is unshaven and the expression Of his face
is that OF a hungry man. Poor fellow, he
knows there is no use of sending card in
to the one member Of congress with whom
he is acquainted. lie has tried that more
than once and the member will not come
out. So here the old man takes up his sta
ton, waiting day after day for the states
man whom he wishes to see to make his
appearance in the corridor, when upon him
the poor old wreck will pounce, with re-
quest for the loan of dollar. Investigate
the case, and the chances are you will find
that the old wreck is a broken down poll
tician who once possessed wealth and infiu-
ence in the section of country whence the
Congressman halls.
This is the old, old story, and it could be
truthfully told of half the score or more
of similar unfortunates who are to be seen
in the corridors any day of the session.
Occasionally an old soldier who wants
pension, but has been unable to bring forth
the proof necessary to push his applica-