The times., 1897-05-03
CAPITOL NEWS AND GOSSIP.


some time ago, and discovered that the
Capitol police were no respectors of per-
sons when 1t came to keeping the general
public 'off the grass" Of the Capitol
grounds.
1t was a few minutes before 2 O'Clock
when Senator Perkins got bis mail at the
Senate postoffice and slowly sauntered
over toward the Maltby annex, where his
committee room is situated. Recently the
Senator injured his arm by being thrown
from his wheel, and that memoer panied
him more than usual as he trudged along
A sudden idea struck him. A sun bath was
good thing for a sprain, and. putting his
thoughts into action, the Senator started
for q delightfully."- green and sunny spot
On th Capitol lawn.
Comfortably seated, he threw his letters
about in front or him and began the task
Of digesting the applications OF the hungry
ard thirsty for office. He had hardly
got at this labor of love in good earnest
before one OF the Capitol police, whose
chief duty is to see that wagons bearing
trade signs do not pass through the
grounds, and to frighten little children
off the grass, espied him and FASTENED
in his direction, twirling his baton with
vim and vigor that betokened a coming
arrest.
The officer did not know the Senator
by sight, but he did know that he was
a powerful looking individual, and APP
preached him somewhat cautiously At a
safe distance he could read the Inscription
ON the numerous letters lying about, and
this informed the officer that he had
no ordinary offender to deal with De-
pIoying to the left. the officer came
around to the front OF the Senator and
coyly approached
We'll, what do you want?'' asked the
Senator, provoked to see that his solitude
had been broken in upon.
Sorry, sir but it is against the rules to
sit Oh the grass, and you are on the grass,
you see, sir replied the guardian of the
Capitol in meek and humble tones.
''Oh, no; so it's against he rules to sit
on the grass, is it?'' replied Senator Per-
kins.
- 'Tis for some people, and for others 1
suppose 1t amt" said the policeman. I've
nothin' 20 sayif you want to sit there, but
If il was anybody else but United States
Senator / d have To invite him Off, and if
he didn't get off ia have TO take him off
It's all right, sir, though; no offense to
you, sir. I'm only obeyin' orders in comm
down here. don't suppose the rule goes
with senator, and if you want to stay
here all day amt got nothin' further to
say, SIR
Senator Perkins evidently thought that
he was not setting a good example, for he
at once arose, the officer gathering UP mis-
letters for him, and started across the lawn
to the nearest walk, down which he con-
tinued his way TO the annex. The sun
bath for that sprained arm was not much
of a success
The action Of the Democratic steering
committee. in selecting Senator Turpie 10
succeed the late Senator Voorhees, as a
member OF the important Committee on
Finance, is a marked compliment TO the
State OF Indiana. Senator Turpie is man
OF many attainments. and has long given
his personal attention TO all economic ques-
tioas As student he has, although not
a member OF the Finance Committee, given
much of his time and thought to the
questions that come before that commit
tee He is now member of two of the i'm
portaut committees OF the Senate-Foreign
Relations, and Privileges and Elections.
Although Mr.. Turpie is looked upon as one
or the more recent members of the Senate,
he served for a brief period during the
stormy days of the Civil war. February 8,
1862, Jesse d. Bright, then Senator from
Indiana, was expelled, and the governor
appointed Joseph A. Wright TO fiji the
vacancy.
Mr Wright served under this appoint
ment from February pa, 1862, TIL Janu-
airy, 1868, when he was succeeded by Mr.
fad hos aI .fqd nv no l,sesf
lature, and who served from January 4,
1868, till March 8, 1863, the end of the
Thirty-seventh Congress. Mr.. Turpie fail
ed OF reelection, and was succeeded by
Thomas A Hendricks, the beloved OF
Indiana Democrats.
After the lamented Hendricks, came
Daniel D. Pratt. Joseph E. Mcdonald and
Benjamin Harrison. The present ex-PTesi-
dent served but one term-March i, 1881,
to March 3, 1SS7,-and was succeeded by
Mr. Turpie, who still, in part, represents
the Hoosier State.
The steering committee finds in the In
diana Senator an excellent substitute for
Mr VOORHEES, He is loyal to the Demo-
cratic doctrine of the free coinage OF
silver and is opposed to tariff for pTotec-
tion. Mr.. Turpies present term expires
March 8, 1899, but if the legislature is
Democratic, as now seems probable, he
Will certainly be reelected.
Chairman Grouse, of the Ohio Republican
State central committee, after conference
in this city with Sena tors Hanna and
Fora ker, and after communicat ting with
Gov. Bushnell, issued q call late Saturday
evening for a meeting of the committee in
Columbus, next Friday, 10 fix the time
and place for holding the State convention.
The Hanna people are in favor OF an early
convention and the political lieutenants
OF the Senator will be there in force to
see that the wishes of the Senator are
carried out If they have their way
the convention viii be held June and 10.
1t is probable that the convention will be
held in Toledo, as it is the only city
to be but little opposition. 1t is better
equipped in the matter OF hotels than
GAINESVILLE, where Foraker was indorsed
for United States Senator.
The proposition toindorse Mr.. Hanna for
Senator is just now agitating the Repub-
Iican mind in Ohio. This Endorsement Of
Senatorial candidates by State conventions
is a new thing in Ohio, and opinion as to
it's desirabiity is divided Even some of
MI Hanna's warmest friends are not sure
that such a course viii prove to be good
politics Senator Foraker does not object
to this being done, and il Mr.. Hanna seeks
he will in all probability be indorsed and
become the issue in the elections this fall.
According to the agreement reached by
tha Son tn tho vote an tho general treaty