Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-19

always come around 20 load up with some Of
the goods they cannot cci lscwhero; there are
knives. pencils ard pens made expressly fof
the senate aud these specialiics can ONLY be
procured at the stationery room. OF course
everything much cheaper than
would he in the closcst-cutting bargain store
and that Is no small Consideration
in itself. Quite frequently some representative
OF that ethnologicai subdivision Known ne ''the
general pablic' endeavors 20 make a purchase
or two. but this IL not possible: the line be-
tween tho ofhciAi and the unofficial il ver,
tightly and very properly drawn. Specimens
OF the genus dead beat are frequent visitors
They ordinarily want a sheet OF paper ana an
envelope and they insist that both shall he Of
the regulation sort They never get them. A.
rule they want the ofhciallv headed paper fof
the purpose of dccesyins some innocent one
although they never state that fact
THr KEEPER OF STATIONERY.
Twenty-eight years ago the JOINT influence Of
Senators Sumner and Wilson resulted in the Ap-
pointment of badly wounded Union soldier
to place on the Senate pay roll For twenty
eight years las Mr.. Richards been engaged IN
Tie stationery room. His original duty was
,he making Of quill pens. To-day such posi-
toh would bear close resemblance 90 a sine
cure Tor Senator Morrill, Of Vermont is the
on! man at the Capitol who uses the quill Ia
Wa lnerent then Those were the times when
Howard Of Michigan nlwavs a.k.a f,r a ,,on
a ,nAt "ouid spell well. aud when Morrill, Of
Naihe continually complained that the mems
mace IN Washington never would write so that
sne writing could be Understood. Nov. every
oOu! AZ tho Senate. With the one excention re-
ierred 70. uses steel pens-Ameriean nens The
LhShsh pens are no longer superior 20 the
homemade article w ~
There as always active demand for the non,
49, useu =! men OF renown. Mr.. Richards has
sumner. - 80
II Mr.. Richards would only allow himsolf a
talk about his experiences with Sena,nrs =
great deal OF interesting literary material
Nouid DO turned loose. He IL an admirable
specimen OF the Ideal public servant keeD,ng
the condolences of all his employers withont
regard 10 political consideratiOus. A great MANY
senators ana eN-SenatOrs think a good deal n
the keeper OF the stationery. Alien ". Thurman
a. ono OF these. There is legend around the
northern end OF the Capitol that in 1879 when
the democrats had control of the senate MIR
hchnrds owed his retention very largely 70 the
apostle OF the big bandaaa Thurman was
chairman OF the committee which was weigh
ing ana dividing the spoils. and nj a meeting Of
The committee the administration of tls "a
tlonery room was discussed When tb, moot
ing ended Thurman sought Richards and ,.fter
saluting him jubilantly, said: Richards we'va
saved you. Go home and tell your mother her
boy Is safe. He and AL the other members
OF the committee knew that Mr.. Richards was
them. ~
MEMORY OF LINCOLN
The old stationery room was the apartment.
now occupied by the official reporters AT ono
oil the windows Of this room Mr.. Richards was
sitting when President Lincoln walked up the
steps, and-it was the day before Lineoln's
second Inauguration discussed with tie
wounded soldier the probabilities OF people be-
ing pushed over the unprotected ends Of the
stone steps while the Inaugural ceremonies
proceeded Temporary arrangements Tor the
puolc safety were made. and there were no ac-
cldents on the following day. ..Arterwnrd :,
sald ar. Richards, talking of the semlni-c.nce
10 a STAR reporter. when 4 learned that H,.ath
was that day seeking 10 murder Mr. Lincoln. 4
frequently was impressed by the fact that while
Was seeking the safety of others.