The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-21

has belt that would have done credit to
Bluebeard, the pirate. Most wonderful OF
all, however, is the illustrious Speaker
Reed. He stewed in the juices of June as
long as he coulo stand it, and then wente to
the flannel shirt. His ample waist is en-
circled with black silk sash. A Texas
member on seeing it, said: "Well, I'll be
hanged. Look at Tom Reed wearing dude
belly band"
When Speaker Reed heard of the remark
he threw his head back and laughed long
and heartily.
New England representatives have been
guessing and southern representatives reck-
ontng how many yards it contains. Mr..
Reed has not yet acquired the self-confidence
which ought to accompany the wearing Of a
flannel shirt. His coat is drawn over his
breast and fastened by the two upper but
and as if he desired to hide as much of his
shirt as possible.
Henry Cabot Lodge evidently got the
speaker into this snap. Lodge wears one of
dark blue color, and at times looks like a
student fresh from tennis court. The
speaker looks like an honest rutabaga wound
in black ribbon.
The most gorgeously arrayed of all the
members of the house is Hon. Ashbel
Parlnalee Fitch. No silk or negligee shirts
for him. His linen is as immaculate as the
driven snow, Tophet or no Tophet. His
collar and shirt bosom shine like waxed
fruit, and his solitaire sparkles like Altaire.
His low cut shoes display elegant silk
stockings. He roams ever the floor like a
thing of beauty and Joy forever, arrayed
scarf.
Some excitement was created the other
day when General Robert Smalls, an OK
congressman, of Beaufort, S. G., appeared
upon the floor arrayed in suit identical
with that of Mr.. Fitch. The general is full
oc ,~r%1 NJ ~. L. A.
digni6ed air. He has the advantage of
Ashbel in one particular. His complexion
sets of his snowy garments to perfection.
In striking contrast to these members are
what might be termed the old "Dignitari-
ans" such as Mr.. Gambler, of Massachu-
of Indiana. and ex-Mayor Vaux, of Phila-
delphia. They are the Nicene fathers of
dress in the house. The heat of this mnn-
dane sphere never disturbs their equanim-
lty. They appear year after year wearing
the old frock coat, or an alpaca, and the
top of his waistcoat unbuttoned. 1t is a
black silk waistcoat made picturesque by a
huge old-fashioned watch seal which hangs
over it. Judge Holman wears white waist
GOAT. His example is followed by Ezra
Taylor. Hon. Elijah Adams Morse, Mr..
Of Connecticut. General Harry Bingham.
Pf pennsylvania, is model of neatness.
He wears stiff shirt front and four-in-
hard white tie. They set him off charm
n ", and make him appear cool and in
sohciant. Mr.. Springer and Mr.. Coggeshall
dress themselves the same way.
There are old time boys who wear linen
coats and resemble the Pendleton escort of
1868. Among them are Gen. Maish, of
pennsylvania, Mr.. Funston and Mr.. Nor.
rill, Of Kansas, and Judge Stewart, of Yer
k<h h<~k IL
men as Mr.. Peel. of Arkansas, Mr.. Elliott,
,f South Carolina, Gen. Ketchum, of New
York, Mr.: Kerr, Of Pennsylvania, Mr.. Ad-
ANS, of Illinois, Judge Cothran, of South
Carolina, and the Hon. Roswell p. Flower,
u New York, into wearing negligee shirts.
They stick to the old-time costume and
mop their brows every minute with old
lime linen handkerchiefs.
Wei! may the house and the senate rush
10 their fannels. The heat here has been
most inten,e. Yet, with it all, there is no
abatement in the number of ofiice-seekers.
rney swarm like flies in fish market.
pennsylvania avenue is undoubtedly as hot
IN avenue as can be found in the United
States. The sun beats upon it every hour in
he day. Its broad, concrete pavement re-
aims the heat, and springs beneath the
,ressure of hot feet: A Thermometer
registered l12 degrees. The avenue is
much lower than the capitol, and gets few
,assing breezes. The breezes themselves
re like blasts from the forge in Gehenna.
The heat here, like the heat in New York,
Is humid heat. 1t melts and then roasts
man. Marcus Aurelius Smith, the dele
rate from Arizona, and one of the flannel
hirt brigade, says: Its a heat that par
,oils and then roasts you. Out in Arizona
hot, but not steaming hot. can stand
10 degrees of that dry heat out there much
asier than 80 degrees of this heat here"
The heat in Washington appears to over
ome all physical and intellectual life and
nimation. Men drag themselves through
he corridors of the capitol as though i'm
elled BY no mental motive. Very few use
ans. The physical exercise required to
'ave them is too much. Some members
lraw long breaths at regular intervals and
liter the words: "Whew, but it's hot ~
)thers stand in the doors and windows, with
heir coat sleeves above their elbows
nd their wristbands thrown back. Az
rlends pass them they shake their heads
nd say nothing. They are in q state oi
assitude and cannot summon even energy
nough to talk. Other like Gen. Spinola
,harles ONeill and A. er G. Caruth. 70
main at their desks, nswerinR letters
dotted by the beads Of perspiration which
lro., from their brows.
good story is told of Hon. Charles 8
saker, of Rochester. He usually walks NJ
o the capitol. One morning it was hottei
han usual. When half way up the hill ha
ave out He threw himself upon The svsrd