Evening star., 1899-03-04
CONGRESSIONAL GOSSIP.

The other day when the Alaska bill was
under consideration in the Senate Mr.. Per-
kins was arguing in favor of q. high IL
cense in that territory. He made refer
ence to the governor of Alaska as being
In favor of his proposition as against any
legislation looking to prohibition there.
Mr.. Teller arose to ask the California
senator If he knew the governor OF Alaska
and inquired what character of man he
was. Mr.. Teller smiled as he resumed his
seat, and Mr.. Perkins proceeded to say
that Governor Brady had gone to Alaska
twenty years ago as missionary. that he
was a temperance advocate and proceeded
to pay high tribute to the character OF
the governor. Not many people in the
Senate galleries knew that the stout man
with bushy whiskers seated on a sofa In
the rear of the chamber only few feet
back of Mr.. Perkins was the governor who
was honored with the complimentary re-
marks of the California senator.
Many visitors to the Capitol remark
upon the manner in which many old en-
ployes there walk. Many of them step for
ward cautiously, resting the ball of the
foot on the floor, hardly touching their
heels. This style of pedestrianism nat
urally causes the individual to lean for
ward and gives him a peculiar bearing.
It Is not until visitors have walked over
the smooth marble floors of the Capitol for
some time that they discover why old hab-
hues there adopt that style of movement
They discover after a while that the
smooth floors are rather dangerous to the
careless pedestrian, for it is an easy mat
ter for any one to slip and receive dam
gerous fall.
Not all politicians bestow their favors for
the politics they can play in doing SO. A
few days ago one of the most noted leaders
of the democratic party asked President
Mckinley to appoint young man as ca
det in the Naval Academy. The young
&, IL l.,
bright girl of twelve years. The democratic
leader has son six years old, who loves
the girl very much. Because of his love
for the girl the little fellow has insisted on
pointed a cadet at Annapolis. The leader
at last consented, and to please all con-
cerned has asked the appointment. Thus
six-year-old son of distinguished man
wields more influence than dozens of prom
inent men.
1t was during the debate in the House on
the police item in the District bill. Mr.
Grout of Vermont remarked: The gentle
man from Tennessee tMr. Gaines) does not
intend to be understood that one man is on
duty all night long-the same man?'
L intend to say that have seen one po-
streets all night long, and 1 have seen him
all day long," replied Mr.. Gaines.
For how many days and nights in sue
cession?' asked Mr.. Cannon.
For at least four weeks" said Mr.
Gaines.
Where was this locality?" aueried Mr..
Dalzell.
AT the corner of 14th street and H.
Il always believed the gentleman from
Tennessee could go without sleep for three
weeks, but / did not know that he could
go four" said Mr.. Cannon.
IF l was as wide-awake as the gentleman
from Illinois 1 would go without sleep en-
trely," retorted Mr.. Gaines.
Miss May Irwin, who is filling an en-
gagement at the National Theater, appear
ed in the senator's private gallery a little
the proceedings of the Senate for an hour
or SO.
While the Senate was in a turmoil over
the amendment to the river and harbor
bill to provide irrigation basins in the arid
lands of the west during the small hours
of this morning stories of a possible extra
session were spreading everywhere among
those inclined to sensational views of
things, and then the older heads of the Sen
ate looked on and found amusement in re-
calling extra session scares of past sessions
They were not at all alarmed. They had
seen many a Legislative storm subside in
the past, as they soon saw the storm in
the Senate go down and peace reigned. 1t
is remarkable how differences can be adj
juSted when the alternative of agree
ment is an extra session, which no man or
party wants to bring about without rea
soRs that will justify him before the coun-
try.
The cars of the Capital Traction and
Metropolitan Railway companies ran all
who were kept in the Capitol to a late
hour.