Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-10-25
A LEGISLATIVE BOON FOR ATHLETES

Harpsr's Weekly
II is an encouraging sign to all genu-
inc lovers Of sport to notice the plucKy
contest Of endurance that took place
last week in the United States Senate.
The sanction thus plced by what has
been called the highest deliberative
body in the world on physical force as
means Of accomplishing needed leglsla-
tiou must be gratifying indeed to every
admirer OF muscle, Drawn and brute
| force. While q contest OF the nature
In question requires less science than
good finish fight and less skill than such
games as base ball, football or tennis,
| partaking more of the character OF
six days go-as-you- please race, still a
/ certain amount of training and intelli-
genee is required TO successfully accom-
| plish 50 record breaking feat ms Sena-
tor Aliens late fifteen-hour speech.
What is most required now is CODE
to govern all such competitions In the
future; for while the rules OF the SEN
ate have been carefully drawn to en-
| courage this style Of procedure, they
seem strangely deficient in atfording
PAOBuA udhuo VI lbA NfuhAhb ~
has once been put in motion.
For instance, 1t would be interesting
to know exactly, and in set Terms IN
which there could be no possibility OF
error, just what constitutes speech
making record, and how far a contest
ant may be allowed to turn printed
volumes over to the reading clerk Tor
the purpose OF having extracts aud pas
sages read therefrom and still have 1t
counted to his credit. 1t is possible to
| conceive Of case where Senator, al
| ter few words in the nature OF an eX-
ordium, would turn any given number
| OF books from the Congressional Libra
~ over TO the reading clerk, and
| then 90 West TO look after his
| silver-mining or corporation interests,
returning in time to make brief pero-
/ ration and claim a record, or even TO
leave directions with the reading clerk
to begin with the upper left-hand book
in the first alcove, and TO work along
down to the lower right-haod book In
| the last alcove, and thus TO obviate the
necessity OF returning for peroratlon
I at all, as his siX-year term would cease
before the end could possibly be reach
ed, except by the adoption OF resolu-
ton during the progress OF the speech
increasing the force of reading clerks
by a thousand, and getting them all to
read at once.
Such motion, however, would be
revolutionary, and would lay the oppos-
ing side open to claim Of foul; and
either would give him the record, or,
what would be worse; entitle him to take
fresh start
Under proper conditions and auspices
these contests might easily become the
most important sporting events OF the
year One Of the most important and
gratifying results would be, OF course,
a rapid change in the personnel OF the
Senate. The recent contest failed simply
on account OF the physical incapaclty
of the unframed Senators to stand the
fatigues incident 10 so trying an ordeal.
In the future, only men of iron consti-
tutions, capable of undergoing the
greatest fatigue, and Of keeping awake
day after day and night after night,
while listening to the most sopOrifc
speeches, in order TO be able to answer
to constant roll calls would stand the
slightest chance of election TO that not
ed body.
Nor is it possible adequately 30 meas
ure the beneficial effects that would &C
crue to the country at large, An in
tux of so large an element OF men In
perfect physical condition into public
affairs would be bound to have an i'm
proving effect on national and local pol
iticS. To maintain perfect physical
condition requires man TO keep In con-
slant training, and develops his quail
ties OF self-restraint aud temperance
and strengthens his will-pOwer.
1t would soon become evident that to
be successful in politics man must be
an athlete. Candidates for Office, in
stead OF stumping the country making
speeches which few are able TO hear,
and fewer to enjoy, would engage In
athletic contests which would be
source of healthful amusement to thou
sands These annual fall games would
give an enormous impetus TO sport OF
all kinds, so that soon we should find
that 10 succeed in any walk Of life
would require men OF muscle as we'll as
men Of mind.
And as mems Sdnd In COrpOrC SGnd is
proverb as true to-day as it ever was,
we might In time succeed in filling the
Senate chamber with set Of men SUI
iclently hale minded to see the absurd
ity OF the conditions which had led to
their election TO Office, and who would
have the moral courage TO make rules
for themselves TO vote on question
when thew wanted To-