The Washington times., 1894-07-28
CLOAK ROOM AND GALLERY.

A very amusing incident happened in the
Senate yesterday afternoon when Senator
Harris was performing the guillotine act on
all attempts to prevent the wicked Repub-
iicans from interfering with Democratic plans
to get the tariff bill safely back to confer
ence.
1t has been well understood for some days
that the veteran Tennessee parliamentarian
OF the Senate was awaiting with due ex-
pectancy for the proper time to rule out of
order any attempt to instruct the Senate con-
ferees. BY Yesterday afternoon he had been
waiting 80 long that he had contracted
nervous desire to perform his much-delayed
task.
When the vote on tho motion to sustain the
ruling OF the chair in ruling the Washburn
motion out of order was called for, the
Tennessee Senator was so wrought up that
after putting the question for the ayes and
noes he broke in suddenly before the roll
call by declaring impetuously: "The ayes
have it, Then, In second he caught his
mistake In announcing the result in advance,
and calculated, "Oh." But the Senate had
noted the mistake and had q good laugh on
the Tennessee senator, who is supposed to be
the most experienced pariiamentarian on the
floor. Mr.. Harris tried to look solemn and
sedate. as was beftting president pro tem,
but he did not make success Of 1t. He had
been 80 fearful that the vote might be against
him that he had neglected no opportunities to
prevent slip-up.
Mr.. Harris precipitancy reminds me of .
declaration by a speaker of the Ohio State
Senate a few years ago, when there was to
be joint vote by the two houses on the cleo
tion of 4 United States Senator. Tho presid-
ing officer Was Cincinnati German Repub-
lican who was duly impressed with the fact
AIaN 10 I'D S1-I Y-l-
Sherman, and wanted 10 help to do II. In
endeavoring TO check off some business which
was being pressed. he blurted out inadvert-
emily and suddenly: at Is nothings in Or
der, but to elect John Sherman Senator"
Needless to say these remarks were greeted
with a roar Of laughter and loud applause.
In that case and in that of Senator Harris,
the wish had been father to the thought.
''Senator Stewart, prowling around the
Republican cloa,i room and hesitating to vote
either way reminds me of an incident Of the
war, said Democratic Senator yestesday.
''It was just before a battle and one Of our
fellows, who was born fighter and bit re-
ligious at the same time, was heard praying
In his tent on the eve OF the contest. oh,
Lord he began In great earnestness, be on
our side in the great struggle upon which we
are entering, but il you aren't going to be on
our side, stand aside altogether and you will
see one OF the prettiest fights there ever was.
Mr.. Stewart" added the Senator, " stood
aside from both sides, though supplicated by
each, and the fight was as pretty q one as
ever saw for q short. sharp parliamentary
struggle where leader needed all his wits
about him."
Senator White, of California, was standing
in the Senate lobby by the Marble room yes
terday, talking with a press correspondent
who was trying to get an idea on the prob
able vote Of the afternoon. Where is Stew
seen him recently?' Senator Brice, whose
middle name in Stewart. happened to pass by
just then and catching the point said with a
smile: Heres Stewart, what can he do for
you?"
Senator Mcpherson. who has attained in
definite leave Of absence from the Senate,
probably Join his family. who are abroad
His stay there will be indefinite in length, as
his physician wishes him to get complete
rest before returning to the work OF the fall,
which includes a campaign for reelection to
the Senate. New Jersey promises to be a very
close State this fall, owing to the tariff devel
opments, which have not been very favorably
received In the State, although II is a staunch
adhsrent to the Democratic faith.
The two New Jersey Senators have had q
hard time getting abroad this summer. Sen
ator Mcpherson has engaged his stateroom
four times, Senator Smith three.
Representative McNagny, of Indiana. Is one
OF the most interesting and best informed
baseball enthusiasts In the House. He knows
the scores on all the games and is constantly
appealed to. when taking a rest in the lobby |
by one Of his brother members to know how
such and such game is likely to turn out.