Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-23
HE is A. MAHATMA
Remarkable Phenomena in the Sen
ate Chamber Today.
R. MANDERS0FN ASTRAL BODY
Impossible to Get Quorum While
Mr.. Quay is Deaf.
A N JOU r n M N T

AN Ado URN M EN- T
1t will doubtless be a surprise to the
very many friends of Senator Henderson to
learn that that genial statesman has re-
Gently become q full-fedged Mahatma. In
order that there may be no mtsunderstand-
irgs and hard feelings. 1t should be ex-
planned that a Mahatma Is nothing very
outrageous. and is really a very innocent
sort Of affair. 1t Is rather a state of being,
and represents that stage OF the theo-
sophical cult that permits its possessor to
divorce his soul and body and send the
former OF on foreign duty. while the lat
ter remains at home. 1t Is a very con-
venient accomplishment. and. no doubt.
will become greatly popular with certain
classes Of citizens who wish to avoid do
nestle disturbances. go.
It IL not known when Mr.. Manderso1
achieved his thirty-third degree in theoso-
ply, and became entitled to the title OF
Mahatma, but his public debut in this ca
pacity was made at noon today. There can
be no doubt Of his entire success.
The Senate met as usual at noon and the
substitute chaplain assembled the rostrum
and said few words, which contained GER
tain dark. mysterious hints Of final adjourn
ment. Senators were wondering II the
preacher had some inside tips on the matter
when he resolved their doubts by qualify
ing his remarks with subsequent III.
Scarce had his tones died away than Ma
hatma Henderson, wholly and indivisibly
prese nt. arose and briskly suggested the alb
sence OF quorum This was at l2.0l IL.
and instantly the Transformation took place.
The mundane form of the Nebraskan set
tied back In his seat and the astral body
went on on q vacation. Whittier 1t went
no man can tell.
Meanwhile. the clerk was calling the roll
In a hfgh-pitched, mOnOtonous voice. The
answers came slowly and infrequently. The
Senate was almost asleep, what there was
Of II present The roll went gliding down
the letters until the Ms were reached. The
astral spirit of the Mahatma had not yet
returned from its flight. The body was still
inert. and the name Henderson" caused
no responsive note to come from the COM
pressed lips The dissolution Of the par
ticies was complete.
The Explanations.
The first call Of the roll showed the pres
ence OF thirty-three Senators. one more
than the first call yesterday. The repub-
licans who answered were Allison. Cullom.
Gallinger and Mitchell of Oregon. Senators
Shoup and Pettigrew took refuge In the
cloak rooms before their names were
reached. Whenfthe first call was completed
Mr.. Gray asked that the names Of the alb
sentees be read, but Mr.. Cockrell insisted
on hearing report Of the sergeant-at-
arms. who was yesterday directed to RE-
quest" the attendance of absent Senators.
This report was read. showing that the
Senators had scattered to the four quarters
Of the globe. The document held out very
little hope that o. quorum might be Sc
cured. Meanwhile Mr. Manderson's astral
spirit had returned, and had escorted his
corporosity down into the front row, and
there engaged In ocular conversation with
Mr.. COLON and Mr.. Palmer. But when Mr..
Gray insisted that the names Of the alb
sentees be called. the fiuttering astral spirit
made shy by his earthly surroundings. took
alright and SCARED away into the realms
of the unknown. Next the Senate wit
messed the spectacle Of the form of Mr.
MaEderson sitting rigidiy and in silence
while he was officially chalked up as alb
sent.
Mr.. Quay's deafness also contributed to
the same phenomenon in his case. Then
the Senators began to get up to excuse
their absent friends. Mr.. Pasco apologized
for MT. Brtce. who was called away yester-
day by q death in the family. Mr.. Allison
spoke up In behalf of Mr.. Sherman. and
J 10 Ohio went out Of the ring. Mr.. Faux
ner explained that barring railroad acci-
dents and delays. his colleague, Mr. Cam
den, would be along in a few minutes.
Handouts Suggested.
At 1900 Mr. Gordon made the thirty
fourth Senator. and three minutes later
Senator Ransom pulled his cuffs out of his
sleeves and answered to his name At
1925 Mr.. Jarvis made the last response of
the day and brought the total up to thirty
six. Immediately afterward Mr.. Harris
arose and said that the order of yesterday
merely directed the seryeant-at-arms to re-
quest the attendance of absentees II now
move" he said, that the sergeant-at-arms
be directed to compel the attendance Of alb
sent Senator'S"
on the floor. Once more the astral soul of
Mr.. Henderson took flight and escaped.
Mr.. Pettigrew. who had returned to the
chamber to write a letter, shifted uneasily
hat.
The motion was carried without a di.
vision, and Col. Bright conferred with Sen.
ator Harris as to the best method of drag.
ging Ser ators to the Capitol Mr.. Harris
It IL said. favored handouts, but Col Bright
was inclined to think moral suasicp would
be sufficient. Handouts were not adopted
Senators on all hands took out copies of The
rules and scanned them closely.
Meanwhile the republican side of the
chamber was entirely vacant but for three
couples engaged in close conversation. A,
the corner of the lobby door Senator Callin
ger walked with the venerable GaIusba
Grow. The Senators from Illinois forgot
their political differences and exchanged
witticisms. Mr.. Cullom laughs inwardIy
but Mr.; Palmer, IN his moments of hilarity
breathing human being. Accordingly the,
presented a fine contrast this afternoon. III
| In the corner by the clock sat Senator
Mitchell and his clerk. Otherwise the ga ar
| ern half Of the Senate chamber was howl
| ing wilderness.
On the democratic side Senator Harri.
was the center Of interest. He sat In The
midst of a crowd of his colleagues and told
stories of his experiences in Mexico aftel
| the war.
Drifting down to modern times, he caused
| a laugh by quoting from letter recently
| received by the post Office officiaIs in this
city from the postmaster of a country town
In Tennessee. which clearly demonstrated
that this administration has not entirely
neglected the irish voter. The letter re-
ferred to n re0ene: attempt at stealing a,
this post office, and contained the following
delicious bit of English IF there was any
| thing stolen in the burglary referred to-
there was nOthfngytaken that c,p find