The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-09
WHAT THEY WILL READ.
Senators and Representatives Select
Their Papers.
Can Read Bradstrcet and Police
News, but Leave Truth and Town
Topics for Reporters aad Pages.

Topics for Reporters aad Pages.
II was Bliss Carmen who wrote:
20 Garv.n, bonny Garvin,
So late, SO late you come!
The yule log crumbles down and throws
Stu ange figures on the gloom.
20 Garvin, there is heartache
In tales that are half told;
" But all, thy cheek Is pale tonight,
And thy poor hands are coldr'
Although it is scarcely probable that the
poet referred to the doughty champion of
the Rump the words might we'll have
been applied to the gentle
man from Cumberland yesterday,
for DR. Garvin was not happy. His face
was not wreathed in smiles. His hands
were cold and his heart was heavy. He
was evidently troubled in his mind and
there was sad exp xpression about his eyes
that attracted general attention.
The bold warrior of Cumberland,
who bears the scars of many a
single tax battle, restrained his sorrow In
his own breast, however, but the friends
whose souls were capable OF sym
pathizing with him realized in
tuitively that he had examined
the list OF the papers that are to be deliv-
cred to the members OF the House during
the present session.
In the past two days Clerk Conley has
been engaged in the compilation OF his
list and now the work is completed. Oue
OF these lists fell into the hands of the
gentleman from Cumberland yesterday
and although he has been consistent for
once in his life and has subscribed for
lt.A al.ff
proceedings, the other members
Of advice fell like pearls before
swine for there was but one representative
who followed his example. These two
defenders of Samuel Rump Honey stand
alone in their glory, although the Demo-
cratic prophet from the city by the sea,
who has yet to mention the papers OF his
choice, may swell the number to grand
trio by following the illustrious example
OF his two lieutenants.
That the other members have tastes that
vary in literature as well as in politics is
shown by the list. One country repre-
sentative who has fine regard for the fit
ness OF things has placed himself on
record as being desirous OF perusing
Bradstreet and Tips, while another yeo-
has made application for the New York
World and the Police News.
Among the pictorial papers the Illus
trated London News is the favorite, while
the Illustrated American is close second.
A few members, whose lack of sense of
humor has frequently been noticed have
subscribed for Punch, while much larger
number viii study Puck and Judge. In
fact the taste of the members seems to
run to pictures. There Is scarcely a rep
resentative who will not receive one
illustrated paper while many will
obtain two OF these publications
every week. Quite number will enjoy
Bradstreet, and Harper's Weekly and
Frank Leslie are evidently well appre-
ciated. Neither Truth nor Town Topics
appear beside the name of any represen-
tatiye, however, the desire for such mental
pabulum being confined to number of
the young reporters and the pages.
The list OF daily papers includes those
issued in New York, Boston, Philadelphia,
Washington and other cities. The local
papers, including The NEWS, of course,
will be we'll represented, while the MEM
bers could go into business if they would
pool their interests in the New York Sun.
No member has shown the remarkable
taste to call for The Congressional Record,
as was the case with one member of the
Senate, but there are few of the pink
publications that deal with racy police
happenings that will pass through the
portals OF this august body. The members
of the Senate have shown a regard for the
pleasure of the ladies that was entirely
missing down stairs. More than one
Harper's Bazaar has been listed, while
Vogue and literary papers, that had no
interest for the members of the House,
will be carefully read in the higher
branch of the legislation.
Then, too, the religious papers that were
entirely overlooked by the Representa-
tives have not been forgotten by the staid
and ~dignfied Senators whose individual
tastes will be gratified at the expense of
several hundred dollars 10 the State dur
ing the present session.
FROM an examination OF the list, there
fore, il evident that, as the poet said,
Garvin has come too late TO institute re-
| form in this quarter, 1t is too near home,
and the great majority OF the members
seem to agree With MIR. West who has
! coolly stated that it Is his opinion that
there is nothing interesting i'm the
papers that publish the Legislative, pro-
ceedings.