The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-03

The richest man in the next house OF
representatives is John L.. Mitchell, the
Milwaukee member who was the only son
and heir of Alexander Mitchell, the founder
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul rail-
road. Congressman Mitchell resembles his
father and like him is a good business man.
His fortune is estimated to be $4O,000,OO0
md without making himself a slave to it
(he multi-millionaire enjoys life
lover of fine arts and owns several master
pieces. He likes good horses and has many
fast ones. He admires well bred cattle and
on his farm Just out of the Cteam city has
. fine herd of Jerseys. 10 him the salary |
of a member of congress is hardly worth
the check it takes to draw it and he will
follow the example of two o. three other
private secretary. Senator Stanford has
never drawn any salary since he
has been in the senate. job Mccarthy.
his private secretary, has it all, and earns
it by his fidelity and intelligent service.
Senator S~tockbridge, of Michigan, not only
tary, the salary of $4,000, but retains him
as clerk OF his Committee. which gives Mr..
Odds 49, $50 a year in addition. Mr.. Olds is
probably the best paid clerk in government
service.
There is another side to his picture of
du1uCuCc uu4OAlR SOAiSA CoolOAluA SACI .
are several chsirmen of house committees
who have the appointment of clerks whose
salaries range from 81, 800 to S2,25O a year.
who put i'll hangers-on and cheap substi-
tutes at $50 or $40 a month and themselves
pocket the difference.
Among the members who like to take a
hand at poker now and then is Senator
Aldrich, of Rhode Island. He is a proper
-.~l.-A e Mo- --1.- ,lor1 1~l <v,11 ,~k
90 where the game is carried too far. He
has never been one of the little coterie at
Don Cameron's big house on Lafayette
square, nor has he ever run up against the
wonderful luck and more wonderful nerve
Of George Graham Vest, who sustains a
reputation all his own as a lover OF the
great American amusement. Senator Aid
rich, however. met the other night at Cham
berlain's club house an antagonist whose
play required great ci~rcumspectlon. This
was the Hon. Preston b. Plumb, the sur
viving senator from Kansas.
The game had gone queerly for some time
when the original of Comedian Crane
Sour Senator" laid dow his cards and
blew a long low whistle.
whats the matter!'' said Cush Davis
who had taken a hand in the game.
'"These cards are like Massachusetts cen
eus returns too many females" saiC
Plumb, and he laid down two queens OF
spades.
There were a good many ''oh's'' ant
"ah's," and after commenting on the care
less way some folks deal, the game pro
ceeded.
Aldrich was winning steadily. He had NJ
great luck, no brilliant hands, but jus
enough cards to take the pot every time.
The play went on for twenSy minutes un-
interrupted and with apparent satisfac.io,
to all concerned, when all of a suddel
Plumb iumped to hig feet.
"Aldrich, you are cheating" cried tn
big kansan.
The Rhode Islander colored up and de
MED the charge in a quiet, we'll controlle
voice.
mo, you needn't tell me that p~roteste
Plumb. "You have got to show down you
hand. You've got cards in your pocket {
up your sleeve"
''Ihat's merely ar allegation retorte
the New Highlander, aggrayatingly.
well, Pm going to prove it," yelle
Plumb, and he jumped around the tab
and %grappled Aldrich.
For five minutes events few fast. III
two men were evenly matched. What &C
vantage Plumb had in size Aldrich dill
counted by his agility. Both disregarde
science and the combat was awkward
the extreme. Chairs were smashed, spi
ICONS were upset, gas fixtures were broke
and a terrible dust enveloped the pripcipa
of the affair. When the battle ende
neither senator was vanquished or victo
Both we're badly dishevelled and pante