Omaha daily bee., 1892-03-06

prafion which has not been placed on record,
exceDting in casual, incidental ana alto
gether inadequate way. 1t may be that con-
gress really came out to see what had been
done at Jackson park, ana that the people Of
Chicago really invited them for that ex-
piicit purpose, but IL some stranger to this
country, George Washington for instance,
had Joined the excursion at the capital, ac-
companied it here and remained with it until
ITS departure, he would have made affidavit
that the primary design OF the members was
to pour down as much strong liquor, wine
preferred, as possible, and that the great
ambition of Chicago was to see that they did
it. There is considerable reason to believe
that congress did not organize itself into .
committee to visit this city, bat into
funnel. Every excursion which left
with various preparations of alcohol
and by the time it reached Chicago
the greater part of the contents of
this car had been transferred to the passen-
gers. Congress arrived red-eyed and with
its hair-pulling II was met by the local
great men, and after the usual fubdubbery
had been gone through with it took a thor.
ough Turkish bath. it was then ready for
more Of "the same' and the local great men
took caro- that it got 1t. Banquet followed
banquet. The Press club, the Union League
club and several other organizations treated
congress day and night
Vinously witty and RiotousIy Responsive,
There was mucn speechifyng, compli-
mcntary on the part of the local great men,
exuberant on the part of congress. The man
who probably believes that "when the wine
Is in tho wit is out" should have been there.
The speakers couldn't help being witty, even
III they said the most commonplace and stupid
things, and the auditors couldn't help laugh
ing. MomDers VINO, when they rise in the
house, clear the galleries and fill the lobbies
were listened to with rapture and inter-
rupted every instant with riotous laughter
and applause.
From this, however, one must not conceive
an exaggerated notion of the festivitv. 1t
was neither an orgie nor debauch. There
were no scenes particularly disgraceful, an
the few who reached the extremity of intoxi
cation were promptly taken care OF. Th
occasion was simply one OF mellowhess, RS
ing easily now and then to hilarlty. But
analyzed even kindly and In spirit of liber-
ality unclouded by Puritanism 1T was
gratifying. A well known temperance woman
said the other night at an unreported meet
ing: 1--WE may admit, because we can't help
il, tho individual right of a high Official OF
the nation to drink and to keep wine on his
sideboard, but everybody with the slightest
sense of decency must cry out against men,
bers OF congress making spectacle of their
drinking HABITS by carrying car loads of
liquors with them while ostensibly engaged
IN the performance of their official duty"
1t certainly Is unfortunate that congress
could not have made a careful thorough and
sober investigation of Worlds fair matters,
for while the variety of entertainment fur
nished by the local great men was calculated
TO make every member sec double for time,
and while no member can say that anything
was spared TO make him think that he was
enjoying himself, 1T is probable that tenn
perate examination OF the marvellous progress
which has been made at Jackson park would
have been far better for the interests of the
fair and the appropriation in the end.
FRED NYE.