The Washington times., 1895-02-03
CLOAK ROOM AND GALLERY.

One fact was prominently brought out by
the Heard-Breckinridge episode in the House
on Friday, namely, the absence of respect
for the Speakers mace. This insignia is the
symbol OF the dignity OF the House. but when
il was carried about by Col. Ike Hill it failed
TO produce the oyerawing effect upon the
excited members that is generally expected
of If.
Some members of the House were CON-
menting upon this fact yesterday, and one of
them ventured the opinion that such disre-
gard OF the dignity and power OF the House
was unparalleled IN the history of Congress.
If that gentleman had been in the House
of Representatives in the days of the Credit
Mobllier, ne would have witnessed a scene
compared with which that of Friday was as
zephyr 10 a blizzard. John G. Thompson,
of Ohio. was the Sergeant-at-arms and had
been commanded by the Speaker TO reduce
the turbulent body TO order by the show of
the mace. Thompson was a burly man, but
even his imposing personality. in conjunction
with the mace. had no more effect upon the
honorable mob than toy gun would have
upon well-equipped highwayman.
Hon. Isidor Straus, representing the Fif-
teenih Congressional district OF New York has
lost much of his trust in human nature since
yesterday morning.
The sDowstorm had induced him to have
himself taken to the Capitol in hack When,
arrived at his destination. he alighted and
wanted 10 pay the driver. he discovered that
he had nothing less than a S5 BILL An ac-
commodating gentleman who had opened the
hack door for the New YORK Congressman
kindly volunteered TO get the bill changed.
and Mr.. Straus gratefully handed him the
/ money
Five minutes, len minutes passed and the
accommodating gentleman did not return.
Then it dawned upon tie Representative from
the metropolis that he mad been ''done" and
siraightway the air became blue and sulphur
Gus.
Mr. Sfraus swears he will have that accom-
modating gentleman If he has to get all OF
Supt. Byrnes' detectives here TO catch him.
The only queen that counts much with an
American Congressman is the queen of hearts
| when he has the other three and ace high.
1 The fact that deposed queen of the Sand
wich Islands is arrested doesn't move q hair
upon his head.
"Who in thunder caresi'' said a Senator
who has a great deal 10 do with foreign
| affairs when asked as TO what might be done
with Liliuokaani. The best thing 10 do
/ with her is TO send her out of the country
! She can get an engagement with a dime mu.
scum any time"
Coming from the White House the other
| day said a Southern Congressman, who is
( a staunch supporter of the administration.
/ 81 took a walk around the building and
counted twenty-five OF those little sentry
! boxes, and the thought came into my head
/ that President Cleveland was the best guarded
1 and best biackguarded Executive who ever
/ sat in that house"
Aud then the honorable gentleman laughed
at what he regarded as an admirable "moi
d'esprit."
The Alabama delegation in Congress was in
/ a hutter yesterday. Several conferences
were held, each one bearing the earmarks oi
/ great secrecy and transeending Importance.
1t is believed that the approaching contests
which threaten Senator Morgan and several
OF the members reelected to the Fifty-fourlh
! Congress had something 10 do with these
! consultations, which are likely to be followed
| by numerous others.
Senator Aliens resolution ordering an In
Testigation OF the recent election in Alabama
may not pass during this Congress, but 1t
would be certain of adoption in the next,
! when the Republicans and Populists will have
a majority.
With the advent of Senator Lee Mantle yes
| terday disappeared the Democratic majority
in the Senate BY the aid of the Vice Presi-
! dent they can vet control legislation. but when
Senator-elect Wilson, of Washington. shall
have been sworn in, they will be entirely oui
in the cold.
Representative Boatner's face fairly glowed
when the House recommitted the Reilly
funding bill last evening. and that peculiar
| nervous twitching about the mouth was even
| more pronounced than usual.