Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-01
Copyright, 1900, by Amos ], Cum

mnSS.)
The figure is picturesque 1t is that
of Tantalus. lie lacks the attire and
the classic outline and sandal of the
ancients. lie is really in the disguise
Of the Hon. Thaddeus Mahon. of Cham
bcrsburg Pa. lie is tramping across
the plaza OF the capitol in a binding
snowstorm. Three hundred feet above
him. sword in hand, stands the great
statue OF Liberty on the dome of the
structure. lost 10 view in the swirling
snow. With SLOUGH hat. umbrella, and
overshocs. the picturesque figure pass
eS beneath the arch and enters the
south wing of the capitol. Nlahon has
the face OF Il warrior, and the bearing
of "a professional soldier. He is all
sOrbcd in thought. His eyes glow with
the Intensity of his emotions, and he
strides toward his committee room MS
though allame with Indignation
Broad-shouldered and firm in step, he
EXHIBITS pcnt-up rage to all who accoSt
him. No man in Congress probably has
greater cause for vcXation. His fate
as IL legislator recalls the fate of Tan
talus. Indeed, he is the Tantaus of
legislation in the House of Representa-
tivcs.
Thaddeus NIahon is chairman of the
been chairman of this committee ever
since Thomas =. Reed succeeded Chas.
T. Crisp as Speaker. AS he disappears
within the door of his committee room
you breathe more freely. The man is
apparently overchargcd with RESPONSE
Dllity and surcharged with resentment
INDUSTRIOUS, capable and energetic in
committee. he is Il unique victim of the
Reed rules. Like TantaliIs he is seated
near n Wcll-fillcd table, yet the viands
seem forever beyond his reach All tho
dis reported from his committee SO
upon the private calander OF the House
and are considered in the order i'm
winch they are reported and stand on
the calendar. Every Friday, under the
Reed rules, is set apart for the consid-
Grafton OF bills on the private calendar
TO this TantaluS of legislation. how
ever, Friday seems to be eternally
evanesccnt. The day comes around 70
gularly enough, but it never stops for
Mahon. On Thursday, January 4. the
ltouse adjourned over Friday to Mon
day; on Friday January u, IL was on
the verge of the private calendar, when
a twinkle came into the eye of Serene
h. Payne. the leader of the majority
Under the prompt recognition of the
speaker he moved that the House adj
oourn. All the flock followed the lead
OF the bellwcther and the House did
adjourn
On Friday, January 10, the Hon.
samuel 5. Barney, Of West Bend, Wis.
Threw the pension appropriation hill
across the road of legislation ana occI1-
pied the entire day. Friday, January
20, was set apart as day for paying
tribute to the late Vice President Cav
Tett "A. Hobart. On Friday, FEBRUARY
z. the Hon. James s. sherman, of Iftica.
Az Az l., snunted the Indian appropria-
tion Dill across the pathway of legis,a-
ton, and Tantalus again saw the
tempting feast disappear. Like the
pension bill, the Indian APPROXIMATION
Dill was privileged under the rules
Thaddeus took his hat and disapnea area
from the House.
On Friday, February ., there was an
other twinkle in the eye of Serene 10.
Payne, and once more he moved that
the House adjourn. The Hon. James
seemed to be under the impression that
some of the rules of the House should
be enforced, protested, calling atten
ton to the fact that this was private
bill day. The sheep and the lambs.
however, again followed the hell
weather, took the fence. and the House
adjourned. On Friday. FEBRUARY 16
the Hon. James a. Hemenway. of
Boonville, md. tumbled the legislative,
executive, and judicial appropriation
bill in front OF the private calendar.
and Tantalus again retired with n
parched tongue On Friday, February
%, Serene f.. Payne was blocking the
way with his Porto Rico tariff bill, and
Tantalus was still in despair. On
Friday March 2, Joe Cannon sprung a
supplemental Porto Rican bill on the
House, and the luXuries on the table
were still beyond reach Disconnected.
Tantalus retired with hungry NAV.
On Friday, March ., came the crown