The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-26

oounce the senators on the floor below as a
parcel Of gossipIng old women and wonder
why they don't shut up and adjourn the
long session. A senator known for his long
speeches gets up 10 talk, and all the cor
respondents leave the gallery to ind re-
Treatment in the air Of the outer world.
The disgust Of the average newspaper cor
respondent with long speech in congress
appears to be something past all compre-
hension and description. The scribes know
very well that if 10 were not for the long
speeches congress could do its work in one
third the time it now requires, and instead
Of sweltering in Washington in the middle
OF July newspaper writers and every one
else would be away TO the mountains or
tbe seashore.
Old Captain Bassett sits in his big chair
at the left Of the vice president and strug-
giles vaiantly 10 keep awake. But even
the large doses Of Scotch snuff, which he
uses as a counterirritant, fail 10 ward of
somnolency, and the old man mods and
dozes Bless him, he has been here these
sixty years, and he has a right 10 nod.
Tho few spectators in the galleries are
languid or sleeping Three or four col
ored men on one of the back benches snors
together and a sergeant-at-arms rushes
up TO GUST them.
The only gallery in which real liveliness
n visible Is that devoted TO the use of lady
visitors Two or three dozen women are
on the benches, and it is easy TO see ma
iOrity Of them are school mistresses. In
Washington we see so many school mis-
tresses in the course of year that we learn
60 distinguish them at first glance. as we
do brides and grooms and other classes Of
visitors 10 the national capital. Bright
sensible looking young women, these
school mistresses are, too; becomingly but
not frivolously attired, observant, thought
ful though not glum, many Of them worthy
no doubt In character and culture 10 be
che wives OF the best and greatest men on
She floor below, and few of the great men
On the Ao0r below worthy TO spouse such
honest, fresh and womanly young women
as these. 1t Is too hot 20 mOraliZe-thOugh
the senator who is making speech evil
IDENTIFY is Of different mind-but If there is
any class OF visitors TO the Capitol who
challenge our admiration and respect, they
are the school mistresses. These are
women who accomplish something in the
WI NhO dtt AhbbAiFAbAdilg utNtlOptu
and broadened by activity, who lose none
Of their womanly charm by participation
IN the worlds days work. After "A time,
the best Of IL is. great majority Of them
becomes wives and mothers, the better
fitted for that greatest Of responsibilities by
virtue Of their experiences in the school
room.
There is a general air of languor in the
senate chamber Senator PETER is lazily
tanning his whiskers with BILL and many
OF his colleagues are present in negligee at
tire Senatorial dignity requires certain
respect for the amenities of dress, but in
hot weather 1t is difficult TO tell just what
these amenities are. For instance, Senator
Wolcott, who has precious little respect
for the old humbug known as senatorial
dignity lack Of respect which he shows
On al occasions in true ioonoclastic fash
ion-etartled his friends the other day by
appearing in the chamber in very light
and very flashy suit. with a red necktie
and shoes TO match. He wore belt about
hlh oapacious waist and a shirt which
challenged the admiration of the spruce
young man who attends the senatorial bar
Ia the basement. 1t was shirt with hori-