The Louisiana populist., 1895-12-13

itoi aud tho widest and Most Disgrace
fut HIiar:,y Is InduIgsd In.
As congress bSs just &C Cnvened again
IL might be well to call the peoples
attention TO the closing scenes OF our
last great iaw mill. The following IS
brief sketch written by IA correspon-
dent of the New York Herald, and as
it has never been cOntradicted 1t Is
no doubt literally trae:
When Tom Watson wrote hi, la
nous letter from Washington city, iO
1891, describing the maudling condi-
ton OF tho members OF the Fifty-firsi
congress. and gave graphic descrip-
tion OF the gentleman from Alabama
asking, MIR. Speaker. where am J
at?" public sentiment seemed 10 be
shocked. The Associated Press dis
patches denied the allegations; the
Democratic press denounced Mr.. Wat
son. and little Gen. Wheeler OF Ala
bama, frothed at tho mouth. So great
was the little generals Indignation
that nothing short Of the appointment
of au Investigating committee saved
him from hydrophobia.
He got his committee, the commit
tee got the facts and the facts got
pigeou-hOled from the public.
Many an honest Christian man n
Georgia was embittered against Mr..
Watson. by the denunciation of the
Democratic press, for this, Que CT the
bravest aud most fearless acts. They
could not believe that men chosen to
make laws tor great Christian re-
pubic could be guilty OF reeling in
druukuess upon the floor of the house
Of representatives.
The mills OF the gods grind slowly
but surely.
Here is description from the Her
aid OF the closing hours of the fifty
third Democratic congress. 10 the
great sin of violating the Sabbath is
added drunkenness galore.
Georgiaus will regret to learn that
the barroom is under the control of
the speaker OF tho house OF repre-
entatives-Charles Z. Crisp:
1.-The closing hours OF congress we're
characterized by the vanton destruc-
ton OF great thirst. The dobauch did
not reach it's accustomed proportions
until the session OF Yesterday Sunday
and Sunday night On Saturday night
the congressman. particularly the rep
resentatives, began drinking heavily.
and on Sunday the Onslsughss on tue
bar under the house OF representa-
tives became so ardent aud SO pro-
longed that plscards we're posted on
the walls bearing the legend: ''For
members only" In order to prevent
anyone but congressman from break
ing the Sunday law, policemen were
stationed at the doors Of the saloon to
keep out the jan. Walters working
night aud day. in relays OF from Gf-
teen to twenty-five each. frauticaily
endesyoring to keep up with the de-
mauds made upon them, aud two
cashiers we're kept drumming on their
cash registers in type writer fashion
till the sweat streamed from their
faces.
Saturday evening Congressman j..
A. Scranton, Of Scranton, Pa, man
aged to break loose from the inebri-
ates and reached the floor OF the
house and in a maudin fashion began
10 object to pri ate bill being called
up by DeArmoud of Missouri.
MIR. Speaker. Id like to know ii
a member as drunk as that has right
to otject?" shouted De-Armond.
The drunken Scranton then began
to to abuse DeArmond uutil he was
taken out by the Sergeaut-at-arms by
direction of the Speaker.
1.-The drinking became so excessive
that the chief OF police detailed ~
extra policemen aud s detectives to
prevent the general disorder from be-
coming an open riot.
Late Sunday evening some women
bebome Intoxicated and taking pos
session OF a vault under the house
danced O can-can for tho ediGcation
OF crowd OF mer until dispersed by
the police.
The saloon under the senate also
ran full blast all night Saturday night,
all day and night Sunday night. but
managed to keep up better prctcase
OF decorun. The lobby and the rab-
bic we're mere permitted TO drink Us
we'll as senator's, with no police to
make them afraid.
To-day, on being asked the pro-
ceeds OF his sales for Sunday, the
cashier OF the house saloon said to Il
Herald representative that they had
not had time to check up the cash,
but said it was enough TO require
more than 5000 expenses for extra
help alone. These saloons in the cap
itol are permitted to run upon the
theory that congress has exclusive
control over the buildings and
| -ronnde The coln1oLoonor pors M