The sun., 1898-03-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
No Low Handle Bars In the Capital-A
Historic Senate Desk-Senator
Morgan as Coorkeeper.

Historic Senate Dssk-senator
A Morgan as roorkeeper.
i Especial Correspondence
The Washington courts have decided
that low handle bars on bicycles, when
they exceed drop Of four inches below
the seat, are dangerous to the public
welfare and have sustained the District
commissioners in enforcing regulations
that prohibit their use. The court held
in deciding this question that the police
authority invested in the commissioners
was sufficient to justify them in taking
all precautions they considered neces-
sary for the protection of bicycle riders
aud pedestrians. In the test case that
was brought to determine the legality
Of these regulations the testimony Of
expert wheelmen as we'll as that of ply
sicians was taken 1t was their unani.
nous Judgment that low handles caused
contraction of the chest and crowded
the internal organs out Of their normal
position, to the serious detriment of the
rider; also that the vision of man rid.
ing with his head down was limited to
18 and 20 feet in advance of his wheel,
and that distance was not sufficient to
enable him to ride safely at any speed.
The Injurious Low Handle Bar.
DR.. W. W. Alleger, chairman Of the
committee Of regulations Of the League
Of American Wheelmen, testified that
he had drafted the regulation in ques-
ton, which is as follows: "No cycle
shall be ridden upon the streets within
the city limits with the lower end Of
the handle bar on plane lower than
four inches below the top of the saddle
at its center, and the rider shall at all
times keep his head in such position
as to command view of not less than
200 feet ahead"
The secretary of the local branch Of
tie League of American Wheelmen,
however, testified that DR.. Alleger had
no authority to speak for the league Oh
this proposition and that his action had
been that Of an individual and not All
official However, low handle bars will
no longer be permitted in Washington.
A Historic Senate Desk.
The desk in the senate now occupied
by Mr.. Gear of Iowa has a most inter-
esting history. 1t used to be the desk Of
Senator Conkling. 1t is situated on the
eastern siea Of the center aisle, next to
the front xow. When, in the exciting
days Of the Conkling. Garfield trouble,
Mr.. ConkliDg and Mr.. Platt wired their
designations to the New York legisla-
ture, Mr.. Conkling was absolutely GER
tain OF speedy return. So certain was
he of prompt reelection that be asked
Senator Cameron of Wisconsin to hold
his seat "for couple of days. as he,
remarked, and then he went to Albany.
As is we'll known, he did not return,
and Mr.. Cameron continued to occupy
the desk.
Mr.. Cameron and Mr.. Dawes Of Mas
sachusetts were west together on an In
dian inspection trip when Mr.. Cameron
confided to his colleague the fact that
he did not intend to stand for re-elec-
ton.
"Then can have your desk, - said
Dawes Il
Certainly" said Cameron. j
Mr.. Dawes at once telegraphed to,
Captain Bassett, who was then alive,
and filed his claim. When Mr. Cameron
went out Of the senate, Mr.. Dawes,
moved over to his desk. Other changes,
followed, and finally Mr.. Dubois Of Ida
no became the occupant. !
A Story Of Vest. j
On the day that Senators Teller and
Dubois walked out of the national Re-
publican convention at st, Louis Sena-
tor Gear remarked that Mr.. Dubois
political career was ended, and immedi.
ately telegraphed to the sergeant-at-
arms OF the senate, reserving Mr.. Du-
bois' seat. He was good prophet. After
the memorable campaign of 1895 Mr..
Heitfeld came as Mr.. Dubois successor.
Many good stories could thus be told
Of the alertness which senators display
In securing we'll placed desks, but the
experience Of Mr.. Vest is especially
worth relating. When in 1883 the civil
service law was being discussed, Mr..
Pendleton, an Ohio Democrat, and Mr..
Dawes had presented bills. BY ashrewd
bit Of politics the Republicans sban-
loned their support Of the Dawes bill
md voted for Mr.. Pendleton's measure,
heir votes, together with the votes of
he Democrats favorable to the measure.
icing sufficient to pass it, The Wash
ngton Post declares that as the bill was
.bout to be voted on Mr.. Cockrell
moved that its title be changed SO as to
cad, "a bill to retain Republicans in
'fice." As soon as it passed Mr.. Vest
lied claim for Mr.. Pendleton's seat.
The author Of such a bill" said he,
will never come back to the senate"
Mr.. Vest was right, and at the begin
ling Of the next congress he moved into
Mr.. Pendleton s vacant chair.
Morgan as Doorkeeper.
Senator Morgan was standing at the
loor of the senate chamber one day re-
emily when the doorkeeper stepped in
ide. A stranger at the capitol ap-
reached with an energetic air and
ulled AL engraved card from his wal.
1t. "Senator Turner, please" said the
presenting the pasteboard to
enator Morgan.
"This is Senator Morgan. - replied