Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-14
DOING THE CAPITAL.
Bessie Bramble Looks In on the Ma
tons Lawmakers, and Then
TAKES A WHIRL IN SOCIETY.
A Solemn Warming to the Voters Of Penn
sylvanii to Watch Quay.
USING UP SUNDAY WITH EUL0GIES


WASHINGTON, D. c.. Feb. 13.-It might
easily have been supposed that the Law and
Order Society of Pittsburg had invaded the
House of Representatives the other day
from the frequency with which the words
''Sawbath" and observance" and keeping
holy" and kindred e1pressions-so familiar
to the ear-were heard. However, after q
time, above the din and racket, and amid
the smoke below, 1 made out that the dis
cussion was on a resolution offered by one of
the members that, on the score of economy
of time and money, the euiogies pronounced
upon deceased members should be given on
Sunday afternoons instead of during the
working hours of the week.
1t was urged, with some reason, too, that
Sunday was day especially appropriate
for men to consider their latter end, and
what is better adapted to inspire solemn
thoughts, to impress upon mems minds the
shortness of life, the vanity of all things
here below, the folly of worldly ambition
and the necessity of making their election
in the next world sure-than funeral ora
tions?
1t is rule that members of Congress like
paupers shall be buried at public expense,
and have their virtues extolled at cost to
to the country of over $1,000 a day
sive, but if they resulted in impressing
Congressman with realizing sense of sin
and total depravity, and in leading them to
repentance and newness of life, the money
would hardly be considered wasted.
That such would be good work will not
be questioned. 1t is lawful to do good
upon the Sabbath day. This is better
law than the narrow restrictions of 1894
Some such thought and arguments were
probably at the bottom of the idea ad-
vanced that the "eulogies" upon dead
members should be made lawful upon Sun
day afternoon, though the Change proposed
was based mainly upon economy. The
statement was made that 40 days of the last
Congress were given up to dead members,
and that when all the expenses of the fu-
nerals, eulogies, printed copies OF the pro-
ceedings and all the rest of the honors
year to over $500, 900 of the public money
to say nothing of the time lost to public
business Senator Hearst's funeral, which
was resolved into junketing trip to Cali
fornia cost the country over 500, 900, and
yet he was millionaire 90 times over.
1t seems strange that Congress still per-
ssts in this abuse of public trust, but such
expensive sorrow seems to be an established
institution. The proposition to have the
eulogies upon Sunday afternoon was de-
nounced as an infraction of the holiness of
the day-a. laboring on the Sabbath" and
as breakage of the blue laws 1t was easy
to see that the members who advocated these
views were posing and prating for effect.
Antics of Pennsylvania Senators.
A visit to the Senate disclosed the fact
that the Pennsylvania Senators, Quay and
Cameron, were present, and hobnobbing
together. Cameron, who is growing quite
gray and elderly in appearance, was look
ing as benign as usual through his glassss.
No favorite of fortune, blessed with the
richest gifts of the gods. could appear to be
in a more calm and heavenly frame On
the other hand, Mr.. Quay looked cross and
i'll at ease. AT his feet was a shower of
opened envelopes tossed there with an i'm
patient hand. After what seemed close
contab OF interest to both, Cameron crossed
the chamber to Senator Vest, and that their
conversation was interesting to both was to
be seen from their emphatic gestures.
In the meantime Mr. Quay in attitude at
rest drew down his brows in dark frown
and apparently indulged in some very pro-
found thoughts What deep stratagem he
was considering, what well-laid plan the
man of silence was meditating, what 'feats
of broil and battle" he was studying are,
of course, unknown, but little study of
his expression suggested Napoleon after his
disastrous campaign in Russia, when, with
the remains of his grand army, he struggled
home to France to find enemies at the front
as well as the rear. Napoleon conquered
Europe and held its kingdoms at his feet,
but Nemesis awaited him at Waterloo. The
defeat of Delamater as Governor of Penn
sylvania pointed a moral for Senator Quay.
In the plenitude of his power he must
sometimes realize that Pennsylvania can
serve up Waterloo occasionally for
'boss" However, ne has now gone to
Florida to have his wrinkles rubbed out, to
have his spirits keyed up, to have his soul
enlivened by going fishing. Public bust
ness can go hang when the bliss of catching
tarpons is in order.