Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-05-01
DRUNKEN SENATORS
DISGRACE IlE STATE
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ssasssg n shs Lsgfsiasars-htsasr
0Akss aa kxAtDlstea ef uin-
ss0 While Easisg.

LANSING, Mish., April 3o.-The Lans-
ing Republican tonight published the
following description Of last nights
proceedings in the Senate chamber
The Senate OF the State of Michigan is
in the hands of lawless mob that
would do justice to the Corktown wards
Of the city OF Detroit at . general cleo
ton. No better illustration OF this is
needed than tie proceedings of this
august body last light. II WAS evident
early in the season that high old
time was in preparation and no one
WAS disappointed. The .'idea," as
advanced by one of the ceIe-
brated squawbucks, was Ito make
record" and certainly all that was in
tended was accomplished The circus
proceeded until midnight, when a call
OF the Senate was ordered and the dep
uty sergeant-atarma instructed to
search the hooks and corners OF the
downtown retreats for his chief and
the absent members. Shortly after he
returned with Messrs. Beers and Por-
ter, who had been pulled from their
beds, and they were promptly excused
and allowed to resume their seats.
Democrats Rush for Beer.
But with the arrival of the sergeant
there had also appeared the forms of
two faithful porters bearing upon their
shoulders burden in the shape OF .
clothes hamper containing several
dozen bottles of beer and ashland"
A wink was all that was required. Soon
a prominent Democrat made his way to
the cloak room. AS he passed down
tine aisle he was joined by another re-
former. Soon after there was an ex-
plosion, but it was nothing serious,
only the cork from beer bottle that
reposed gracefully in the right hand of
the aforesaid member. Twas but
eight signal, but twas enough. A
grand rush was made for the cloak
room, and the sound of cork popping
became general. and fully One-half the
Senate was engaged in the act of star
gazing through the bottom Of q beer
bottle. The supply was not equal to
the demand, however, ana the dusky
sons of Africa were once more dis
patched to the regions below for an
other invoice of liquid refreshments.
wisnsr's Aesthetic Grafton.
In the brief interval, Senator Wisner
appeared ON the floor with very bad
breath and cheese sandwich, and
while he gently waited the former to
the remotcst corner of the chamber. he
clung to the sandwich, occasionally
biting out q section. and struck An at
titude. In this condition he was reeog-
nized by the chair, and between NIB
bles addressed the Senate after this
style: "Mr. Chairman, / move that
lbite) joint resolution No. z. tbite) au.
thorizing the State auditors 20 (bite) set
tie the claim of Josiah w. (blte) Begole
big bite) be taken from the table" The
venerable but frsky Chauncey then ex-
tolled on the merits of the resolution at
great length, speaking nearly an hour.
In the meantime the scene of reyelry
continued in the cloak room and some
of the more venturesome appeared on
the floor Of the senate bearing aloft
the democratic ensign, whisky bottle,
while he listened to the sweet-voiced
Homer Warren and other noted singers.
A number of the lawmakers became de-
cidedly hilarious and state property was
thrown about in a very reckless manner.
Outrage Upon Dcoency.
Shortly after O'Clock an adjourn
ment was taken. Many of the MEM
bers hled themselves to certain resort,
where the symposium was continued
until daylight. For the first time in
the history OF the wolverine state its
Senate chamber has been converted
into q bar room and its law makers
made its patrons. The affair itself
is enough TO call forth the
cersure of the high authorities of the
party IN power, and the brazenness with
which il was conducted aud the extent
to which IL was carried - disgusting in
the extreme. Great is reform az prac-
ticed by the Democracy OF Michigan.
The Republicans might have dwelt
more strongly upon the details of this
bacchanalian scene, in winch grave
Senators, entrused with the business of
the great State of Michigan, were the
actors; but il would be useless IN view
of the fact that their whole conduct of
affairs since the legislature convened has
been such as TO prepare the public for
this or even worse things. The nerves
of the people have been benumbed toy
these numerous outraees upon common
decency. and they only pray that an
adjournment may be accidentally
stumbled onto, aud these swiil-aliey
buns releeated TO their private retreats.
gefore the Stale u irredcemably dis
braced by them.