The herald., 1897-06-26
The Wheel Is Supreme in
Washington
"DRoMEDARY FOR DUDES
Is USED By STATESMEN, CLER-
ICS AND JUDGES
The Bicycle Has supplanted the Horse
and Is Strictly de Riguer at
the Capital
Special Correspondence to The Herald.


Special Correspondence to The Herald.
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 17.-Tha
scoffing individual who characterized
the bicycle as "dromedary for dudes,
evidently did not abide in Washington
where even Uncle Sam has pinned uI
his coattails and joined the scorchers
Nowhere else does the new disease
known as bikeomania rage with great
er virulence. 1t spares neither age MOI
sex, dignity nor avoirdupois, and while
like grim death, it has all seasons fo'
it's own in this city of Incompatible
streets. its worst symptoms are aggra-
waited in summer time by that longing
for all out doors which is by no means
confined to the vagabond and the bare
foot boy 1t affects the gravest sem
ator, posing on the sugar trust and the
tariff; the polished diplomat who dam
dies the fate of nations in his perfumed d
hands; the black -gowned judge Of the
supreme court; the mighty member of
the cabinet; the minister of the Gospel.
whose business it is to point the path
to heaven (would that the straight and
narrow were a bicycle path)-and all
solemnly hump themselves over their
wheels and take to the open.
THE HOUSE SUPPLANTED
A few years ago the noble horse fur
nished the favorite outdoor amuse-
ment of Washington, and riding schools
and equestrian clubs abounded. Then
every one of the jeunesse dore got him.
self up in riding togs more English you
know" than were ever worn in England,
and the damsels of upper tendon were
veritable Di Vernons in following the
hounds and the pink coats on paper
chases. But now how great the change
The four-footed charger is quite out
of fashion, and the cheerful clatter of
his hoof beats on Our smooth asphalt.
IS superseded by the soft whirr, whirr
of the flashing steel steed. To enumerate
the devotees of the wheel among the
great ones whose names are as house
hold words would be to count the leaves
in the vale of Vallambrosa. Down be-
meath the rotunda of the capitol, deep
dark vault which reminds one of the
prison of Chillon, with its pillars of
Gothic mold, has been converted into a
bicycle stable for the convenience of
senators and representatives. During
session of congress not only is the vault
crowded to it's utmost capacity, but the
overflow cumbers the adjacent offices
and corridors. One is amazed at the
number of silent steeds, standing all day
long in solemn ranks, with never mer
ry Whitney. They are of every known
make and latest quirk of Improvement
Dame Rumor has it that few of the law
makers exchanged coin of the realm for
these shining chargers, but that the
manufacturers find sufficient recon-
pense in the statement, 1.-The Hon. Mr..
So-and-So rides -"
SENATORS AWHEEL
Among the senators are many who
have not only thrown dignity to the
winds sufficiently to take an occasional
tumble in the dust, like common folk,
but have become as expert in retaining
their seats upon the tricky machine as in
the political band wagon. The oldest
senator does not indulge-as yet-but
his youngest colleague, Senator Butler,
of North Carolina, does quite enough of
it for both of them. The senior senator
from California, Mr., George Clement
Perkins, of Oakland-regardless of his
Goth mile stone looming up not a year
ahead--finds time every week to add a
good many miles to his famous record
as a wheelman. Just al present he is
qualified to pose az living picture of a
Greek patriot, by reason of a recent en-
counter with a cart; but as a rule he
comes unscathed from the war-path.
Senator Charles J. Faulkner of West
Virginia is one of the few who have
nerve enough to array themselves IN
conventional bicycle costume, for
among the wearers of the toga a deep
seated prejudice seems to exist against
the curtailed garments. Talk about
vanity being feminine trait In almost
every instance the short trousers, and
gay, turned-doWn hose are not seen on
spindle-shanks, but on plump legs,
whose owners are justly proud of them.
Senator Faulkner, in correct togs and
the courage of his convictions, seldom
fails to improve a shining hour or two
every day by an excursion to Cabin
John Bridge, or to Overlook, or Falls
Church, or some other favorite point
few miles off. He is frequently accom-
panied by his wife and her young step
daughters-for all the ladies of the
Faulkner clan are enthusiastic cyclers.
Mrs. Faulkner, by the way. is wife num-
Der two, and young enough to be often
mistaken for one of the daughters, while
the senator himself is exactly so Years
yourg
Senator William f. Chandler of Con-
cord, n. H., rides TO and fro every day
between the capitol and his home, and
such is the regularity of the little inter
lude in his proverbially methodical life,
that his spidely legs serve as sun-dials
on the avenue to mark the hour. Sena-
tor Wolcott emerges from beneath a
mountain drift of documents concerning
the monetary tangle and minges with
the herd awhee. Senator KYLE, Of
North Dakota, seldom misses his af-
ternoon spin, and is usually accompan-
led by his pretty daughter for a pace
maker Senator Warren pigeon holes
the cares of state whenever he can and
chases the fiery and untamed cyclometer
to the limit. Senator Elkins is said to
possess rare amount of bike technique
which he is anxious TO impart to every
luckless wight with whom he can catch
up. In this line it is noticeable that
when antipodal politicians meet awheel
and agree upon technique, they are as
Damon and Pythias-out beyond the
shaGoW Of the capitol dome. What a
pity that Senators Morgan and Hale
cannot settle their Cuban quarrel in
this manner-for as yet the venerable
Alabamian rides nothing but his hob
bies AS to bicycle clothes in the senate,