The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-03-31

MEETING.
soon as one begins to inquire and take a
poll of the two houses he finds a great
variety of unexpected difficulties, and,
IS Champ Clark says, an article on the
religion of congressman might apprCpTi-
ately copy that famous chapter On the
species of snakes in Ireland which CON
tanned six words-namely, There are
no snakes in Ireland 1t Is true that
both houses open with prayer every day,
and the members present stand ia most
reverentlal attitudes, bordering proba-
bly, over the whacks they are about to
give each other, but there is only too
much reason to believe that this cere-
ulony is pcrfpnctory, like the prelimi-
marry handshaze Of pugilIsts ia the ring
which is simply pro fCrIna before they
proceed to the real business Of pounding
each others countenauces ont of all re-
semblance to humanity
All the clergy Of Washington have
had their laugh ct Dan voorhees,, and
his bad break may he taken as Il tolera-
bly, fair illustration of the readiness of
Statesmen IL religious data. When
Daniel was taken into the Episcopal
church at Tarre Haute, there was a very
long line of converts admitted. and by
mere accident Daniel stood at one end
and at the other Hon. Bayless Hanna,
late minister to the Argentine Repub-
Tic. The waII known antecedents of both
men set the local wits at work. and the
two were thereafter known as the 1.-TWO
end men Of the Episcopal church
Hanna has since passed to the great ma
Jorlty- Mr.. Voorhees, was probably guilty
Of nothing worse than mere lapsus lin
guB when lac moved that the senate adj
jouln over the first holy day in Lent,
tas If IS Good Friday, but it gives
point to the wit of the clergyInen as to
an Episc0palian who does not know the
difference between Ash Wednesday and
Good Friday.
Catholics In Congress.
There are among older members many
"reminiscences Of the SO called Chris
tian statesmen. of the Credit Mobilier
era. and there is some real indignation
over the statement recently made by a
very radical Protestant preacher that
'tthe Roman Catholics dominate every
department and control the appoint
uents. and chat there are about 100 RO-
man Catholics in congress. The stu-
pidity IF this statement ought to be APP
parent to amy one who viii even look at
the directory AT least three-f0urths of
the con gressnen are from districts where
not one IN a hundred of the population
is Catholic. and outside OF three large
cities there IS not a Catholic from the
s. hole south, save possibly Louisiana
"a careful poll shows that in both houses
the number Of Catholics, counting even
those nominaIly So, does not exceed 80,
being only one fifteenth Of the whole
body instead of nearly one-fourth as the
vehement preacher asserted Ia fact.
the Roman Catholics being at least one
eighth Of our total population it appears
that their representation in congress lis
about only one-half what they would be
justly entitled to On a mere numerical
ratio
Active In Religious work.
Laying all opinions aside. it remains
TO be said that several wei known con-
gressmen are locally as eminent for
pety and active religions work as they
are for their political opinions Among
these IS Senator PETER, who has had a
varied experience as a teacher, farmer,
soldier ana lawyer. but is on occasion
very earnest and rather powerful preach
e. as well IS an editor and writer on re-
ligious and moral topics During the
Moody and Sanlzey meetings in this city
lie took a very active and effective part,
leading in prayer, exhorting among the
congregation and otherwise working ia
the interest of religion
it is a fact also worth noting at this
point that all our presidents save two
have made soma kind Of 4sal7crfo77a rr0-