Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-06

orally find that YOU re right or course,
you know the faces and figures Of all of
the main people up there in the big build
ing on the hill, but there are hundreds OF
them that you don know, except as a type
and you recognize them as belonging to the
type when you see them in public places.
There is surely something distinctive about
the manner of the comparatively unknown
representative in CongreSS-the kind of rep
resent alive whose district is a deestrick and
whose constituents are constitootents. 1t
consists not necessarily in his dress, though
that is generally pretty distinctive, too; but
his whole outward seeming, on the street,
at restaurant, at d theater, proclaims him,
in some indefnable fashion, as a national
legislator, obscure or otherwise, who strong
ly feels himself answerable to the men who
gave their franchises to him. Even at the
theater he finds it, apparently, more or less
necessary to shed certain sort of ponder
osity which is taken for ma eSty of deport
ment, perhaps back where he halls from,
and If the nature of the performance is
such to excite mirth he gives vent to his
mirth with apologize manner. He cocks
his head on one side and regards the stage
with SCreWed-up eyes, as If he were trying
to arrive alta just decision to the merits
of debate. and in gen&al he carries along
with him the queer odor N the Capitols
south wing.
Can't Hide Their Pleasure.
Many of them are accompanied to the
theater by their youthful private secreta-
alert. cityfed-looking young fellows, who
gain their employment at this end of the
line, but more of them nowadays are quite
young men, who accompany their congress
men to Washington from the home district.
These young representatives secretaries
from the remote districts are undoubtedly
possessed of quite much ability as their
confreres of the citytied appearance. but
their theater manner is vastly different
They endeavor to conceal the delight they
fool hpinp n NAV houses
metropolitan circuit-after lifelong usage
to the oprey houses on the Uncle Tom cir
cuits-but the delight crops out and IS
plainly depicted on their features.
From the Army and Navy.
Always there are to be seen in a WASH
ington theater scattering of erect quiet
appearing young and middle-aged men,
generally accompanied by ladies, who are
not easily placed as to their avocations by
strangers. Some of them are bronzed 9TH
ers look as if convalescing from illnesses,
and there is a certain grave manner about
all of them that renders their immediate
cataloguing difficult until it is remembered
that the capital of this civil nation Is also
the capital of the military, both by land and
sea, and that there are more officers of the
army and navy duty, invaded or re-
tired, here than in any other American city.
When the state of war existed with Spain
and the wearing of uniforms was compul-
sorry at all times the theaters of Washing
ton We're picturesque in their brave show
ings of blue and gold lace.
Treated With Consideration.
The cabinet people in the boxes capture
the eyes of strangers visiting the Washing
ton theaters. as well as of the actors, al
though they attract little or no attention
attention, that is to say, of a concentrated,
prying nature-from habitual Washington
theatergoers. Indeed, this is one of the
points wherein Washington audiences differ
so strikingly from theater audiences IN
every other American city-the absolute
absence here of the lionizing spirit among
what may be termed the rank and file of
auditors Notables of whatsoever sort are
permitted to retain their privacy, and at
the same time their composure of mind, in
Washington theaters. There seems to be a
sort of mutual understanding that they are
not on exhibition, that they seeking
amusement simply, and not stares or
cheers, and they are let alone to use
a meaningful phrase. When the Pres
ident arrives in his box at Washing
ton theater there is an immediate but alb
solutely huShed buzz for the smallest pos
sible space of time; from thai time on the
President attracts no more attention than
any other man sitting close to box rail;
lorgnettes are leveled at him only by
strangers within our gates. and he is quite
relieved of the necessity of doing any pos
ing, surprising President were so minded.
A President attending a theater in any