The Washington times., 1894-04-30
CLOAK ROOM AND GALLERY.

CLOAK ROOM AND GALLERY.
Senator Hill had his face slapped! Senator
Mcpherson did the slapping. The story has
been scrupulously guarded, but how in the
world it has kept out OF the public press for
some three weeks or more Is q mystery.
The affair occurred in the room Of the Com
mittee on immigration, OF which both Sem
ators are members / have been unable to
learn the full particulars of the castigation,
but it seems that the august leader OF the
New York Democracy undertook TO catechise
the lengthy solon from Mosquito Land and IN
SO doing employed the caustic criticism and
biting persiaage Of which he is the master.
The latter resented Senator Hills attitude
sued, which eliminated in Senator Mcpherson
slapping his face.
It was not q straightforward m-the-shoulder,
Corbett biff, nor was it a gentle love tap. 1t
caused the chaste cheek of the recipient to
take on ruddy glow. It must have stung.
for the man who gave It is long EARNED and
wiry, and, l am told, was fighting mad and
ready to scrap. Before he could follow up
this preliminary, however, the colleagues Of
the belligerents interferred and hustled Sen
ator Mcpherson out in the hall to cool OIL.
The funny part Of the affair lies in little
side denourment. As matter of course the
New York Senator felt grossly insulted, but for
political and other obvious reasons hesitated
before taking the usual course and demand
ing satisfaction by trial Of arms or otherwise.
So he called upon his friend, Joe Blackburn, in
the latter's committee room, and after relat-
ing the circumstances said: ''Now, Black
burn. what would you 90 in this case! Give
me your advice?"
'What would I dol" said the Kentuckian
with force, .What did you do? 1 would have
done it then and there; it's too late now to do
anything"
Judge Hilborn, of California. has gone
home to meet with stunning reception. He
received q telegram from the chairman Of the
Central committee, at San Francisco, just
previous to his departure, telling him that
20, 600 enthusiastic voters would welcome him
with brass band and unlimited hurrahs.
He declares that the Democratic policy in re-
gard to the Chinese will lose the state to
that party forever and day.
Charles F. JOY, the other deposed repre-
sentative, writes from St. Louis that he is
"simply going to have a walkover." For
some reason, and despite the fact that the
Republicans steadily pursued the same plan
for years, the unseating of Joy and Hillborn
has set tremendous tide in their favor and
that OF their party in their respective districts.
1t is generally conceded, even by Missouri
Democrats, that the action of the House in
Joys case will result in three Republicans
coming from the st. Louis district, instead of
one as heretofore.
During the heat of the Joy-O'Neill contest
two representatives from western state both
men Of wealth, business men, and but little
given to the game Of politics, were sitting to-
gether, interested and half-wondering spec
tators OF the free-for-all row. Suddenly one
turned to the other and said:
Look here, SO and So, what did you come
to Congress for2"
because was -- fool' came the an
swer, without the slightest hesitation.
And I'm in the same class, said the first.
1t may be news to the army Of smart Alecks
who have sharpened their quills at his ex-
pense to know that Senator PETER is one of
best beloved OF men among his colleagues in
the Senate. His kindliness of heart. his uni
form courtesy and quiet. unostentatious man
ner, added to his shrewd common sense and a
more than ordinary knowledge of men and
affairs in general, has won him the affection
and respect Of men who were predisposed TO
regard him as a mushroom absurdity born OF
chimerical political vagaries.
Senator Blackburn has foresworn spiritual
ism. He attended seance not long ago and
the medium materialized the departed spirits
of Senator Beck, his former colleague and
whole host of former Kentuckians and friends.
1t was altogether .too creepy a performance,
as he put it to an acquaintance and has com
pletely satisfied long entertained curiosity.