The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-01
FAMOUS SENATOR'S AND THEIR GIN.
Daniel Webster's Refreshment Dur
ing IA Celebrated Speech.
From the washington Pos

FROM the washington Post.
The extensive alterations now being
made in the Senate chamber in the hope
of securing more perfect ventilation, re-
calls to mind the old Senate chamber, now
occupied by the supreme court, when it
was graced by the master minds of the
period, and made illustrious by the pres
ence of Clay, Calhoun McDufie, Pres
ton, of South Carolina; John Davis of
Massachusetts,; Rivers and Archer, of Vir-
ginia; Badger and Mangum, OF North caro-.
lima; and others of distinction who then led
in the councils of the nation.
At that time, and subsequently for some
years, until the new chamber was occu-
pied, there was the merest apology for
restaurant improvised in a small room
now embraced in the congressional libra
ry extension. 1t was known as the "hole
in the wall" and there refreshments were
served when lengthy sessions of the SEN
ate compelled the solons to seek relief. 1t
was a very primitive affair, but served the
purpose until ample provision was made
when the additional wing was completed,
when the extensive restaurant was opened
in the basement where every provision
was made for all the creature comforts
needed by the hard-worked servants of
the people. Unlimited as to fluids and
substantials, it existed until the close or the
war, and then the puritanical spirit in
vaded the Senate, and the era of "cold tea
was inaugurated by resolution of Henry
Wilson, abolishing the sale of wines and
liquors in the capitol. This resolution rel
egated the thirsty visitors to the capitol
to the cooling beverage of milk. though
the initiated, who knew the ropes, could
get the eXhilarating rye or bourbon served
in cup and saucer as cold tea
In the days when the sale of liquor and
wines was undisguised in the capitol there
was but little exhibition of it's effects upon
the floor of either chamber, and the evil
dence of its appearance was reproved and
condemned. At that period everybody
drank. A sideboard supplied with brandy
and wine (whisky was not then the COM
mon drink was in every house, and WIS.,
itors were refreshed ere their visit was
ended. Many of the grave and reverend
seniors of that day required stimulation
when about to make one of their grand eff
forts on the national questions of the day.
An amusing incident occurerd on the
occasion of Mr.. Webster's speech on the
compromise measures of 1850 Before he
began his speech page placed on his desk
a pitcher and glass, from which Mr..
Webster helped himself before he COM
menced, and two or three times during the
course of his long and memorable effort,
lasting over three hours. At the conclu-
sion of his speech, Isaac Il. Walker of
Iowa arose to reply, and as his seat was
close to Mr.. Websters, he reached over
and helped himself to a glass, as he sup
posed, of water, discovering after the
first moutful that it was gin. The gasp
ing and sputtering that followed disclosed
the fact, and roars of laughter filled the
Senate chamber. in which Mr.. Webster
joined most heartily.
Silas Wright was one Of those statesmen
who needed a stimulant, and alway found
it in the cloak room before he began a
speech. 1 cannot recall any such unseem-
ly exhibition in those days as has been
witnessed of late years on the floors of
congress. The habit in olden times was
convivial, not disgusting. The drinking
in those days was, think, heavier, but it
was not INDUCED in openly. The dinners
were in many cases, the medium of drink
ing, sometimes heavily, but debauch was
rare.
In these early days senaotrs and rep
resentatiVes herded together in the va
rious boarding houses with which Wash
ington abounded. They formed "messes"
Of wings at one house. and democrats
at another, and they but seldom mixed
for at these "messes" political action
was discussed in the most unreserved
manner. Mr. Webster, Col. Benton and
a few others had their families here
and kept house the year round. The ma
jority, however, lived bachelors lives
The change for the better, which marks
the present day, is due to the very gem
eral habit of congressman bringing their
families with them. They thus add a
very charming element to the social life
Of Washington.
In the past, the long past the close
Of a session of congress was generally
a merry one. The long hours of an all
night session were cheered by what Dick
Swiveller would call the rosy" The
tpdtrrn Of debate tho roll rail 70
lieved by excellent lunches set in the COM
mittee rooms, almost pro bono publco.
That this privilege was sometimes abused
do not doubt, but It existed until Henry
Wilson offered a resolution on the 18th
Of Aprill 1866, prohibiting the sale of
spirituous and other liquors in the capi-
toll and grounds" Reverdy johnson in
quired II It included liquors found in
committee rooms, and Mr.. Wilson. who
was very radical said he would like TO
prevent its being brought into the build
ing, but saw no power extending so far.
Senator Nesmith wanted to know how
they could prevent liquor being brought
into the capitol inside Of one OF those
gentlemen who had great capacity for
throwing themselves outside of a quart
OF whisky.
Mr.. Wilson said he was content to LET
the bill pass in the form he had offered
It, He said: II understand there are two
shops for the sale of whisky in the capitoi
now, but not at this end of the buildinr.
think IL is bad enough to have liquor
here In any form, whether II comes IN
to the committee rooms or In the form
suggested by the senator from Oregon
when he spoke Of some persons outside
OF quart Of whisky. We all know, Mr..
President, that In our day old Bourbon
has about as much inspiration as gin
mad In the days Of Byron. / am content,