Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-10-12
SENATE'S EXECUTIVE SESSION
enator Mason Tells an Iuterestin;
story of the Frat He Attended.


enator Mason Tells an Interesting
story of the Frat He Attended.
Senator Mason, Of Illinois, tells the
following interesting story of his first
executive session in the Senate:
Before l blossomed into United
States senator, he says, used to he .
plain member of Congress. Sometimes
it happened that | was in the Senate
chamber when an executive session
was ordered. The first time heard
the motion made | said to myself:
We'll. l guess I'll stay and see the
fun" The motion to go into executive
session was carried and | was invited
to go out.
But" | said, kind of swelling up.
Il am Il member of the House OF Rep
resentatives of the United States of
American
"Oh! Yes! Is that 500" said the
polite officer But-you'll have to go. 7"
And go / did. But | mentally shook
my fist at the green baiZe door and
said: I'm just run for the Senate my
self"
Men, as everybody knows, are new
er curious; but | confess that was
anxious to see what was done in the
sanctum sanctorum known as the eX-
ecutive or secret session of the United
States Senate.
At last after all my trials and tribu
lations this is in contidence) my SUI
preme hour came. A senator from New
England arose and solemnly and ear
nestly moved that we go into 'eXecu
tive session" ! heard the magic words.
My dream was to be realized. | saw
the galleries cleared. | saw new Nj.
C.'s get the gentle hint TO go, just as
had. | wanted to walk out by the
same door ut which | had shaken my
fist, and then walk in; but ! was afraid
that some part of the ceremonies of the
supreme moment would escape me. !
rushed 10 my seat, put my desk in orS
der. busted nay coat collar with ml
fingers. smoothed my heir, and tried to
look like my ideal of senator in ex
ecutive session.
The bells all over the Senate end OF
the Capitol rang and made music &c
my ears The chief page clapped his
hands three times, and the pages al
rushed from our sacred presence
Amidst tile ringing of bells and rush
ing of feet the people were all moved
out. the doors were closed, and we were
alone!
Thereupon the senator who hat
moved the executive session struck &
match in the usual way and lit cigar
audibly informing his neighbor that l..
was the only one he had. He ther
moved that John Smith be- confirmed
In his ST0o postoffice Ia Podunk. The
president of the United States Senate
the Vice President OF the United States,
said: Without objection 1t is so or
dered." \ motion TO adjourn was car
ried In one moment my dream was
broken. and | was left with taste in
my mouth rs insipid and unsatisfyins
as that of circus lemonade.
How Japan Conamers Tunnel Smok.
The japanese have curious way OF
clearing railroad tunnels of smoke and
gases. Each end OF the tunnel is pro-
yisled with a canvas curtain, hung al
the top 50 that when it is dropped it
covers the eRtira mouth of the tunnel.
When train enters the tunnel the eur
tain az that cad is dropped and 1t is
kept down until the train leaves the
other end of tie funnel. The result Is
that all the smoke and gases are car
ried along with the train and forced
into the open air al the further end of
The tunnel. Ii is asserted that this
pIunsey action is SO perfect that smoke
from an engine seldom reaches rs far
back as the middle or the train. Scien
tific men are puzzled 70 account FOR the
St,naaSS pf fflp system.