The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-20

others are either writing letters or read
| ing newspapers. A few cross their legs
| and take a languid interest in the proceed
ings of the House. At least quarter Of
the members are in motion when routine
business is up. Some are On their way 10
the corridors to see inquiring Constitu-
ents; others are ranging between their
committee rooms and the hall of he
House. A fair percentage are breaking
for the cloakrooms, where they can enjoy
an average cigar and chat with their COL
leagues. 1t requires an interesting subject
and an eloquent speaker to recall them to
their seats. At such times they rush from
the cloakrooms, quickly resume their
chairs, and join in the applause.
Present When There is n Whirlwind.
The correspondents keep pace with the
Congressman. Routine proceedings inter-
est them less than they interest the
busy Representative. These proceedings
are like q dead calm in a hot summer
month. Like other men, AZ such
times, the correspondents enjoy the cool
shade of the trees, and their gallery re-
mains empty; but let a sudden breeze
spring up, and whirlwind develop on the
floor below, and they flock 10 the gallery
Ike blackbirds 20 a grain field.
Queer characters are there beneath
them-men well known to fame, others
partly known. a few who hope to
be known, some utterly unknown.
and others who never will be known.
They are a motley crowd, some with
short hair. others with curling locks,
one or two with the heads of cavaliers.
and many bald-headed. II is the only
place OF amusement in the United States
where bald heads do not naturally CRAWL
tate to the front row of seats.
The crowd is rendered all the more mot
ley by the difference in its clothes. Many
affect the Old-fashioned frock coat, fancy
ing possibly that it gives them the dis
tinguishing characteristic Of a statesman
Southern members show a fondness for
this garment, while those from the East
ern and Middle States wear cutaways
and tailless coats AT night sessions the
swallow-tai and Tuxedo are occasionally
worn. Set speeches usually produce the
orators Sunday suit. Of-hand arguments
and spontaneous illusions never change
a mans apparel. Any coat is good enough
for a man who is really In earnest.
And the collars and ties-such variety,
Here is a Piccadilly: there a barudoor
collar. worthy OF Gen. Spinola; beyond. a
Understanding collar shooting from the
back of the neck like the sideboards of
a wheelbarrow; further away a choker
close-fitting and Immaculate but so high
that the wearer looks uncomfortable.
and lastly a rundown collar, almost By
ronic In size.
Crayats Of Many Styles.
And the ties-haunting four-in-hands.
white, green, figured, blood-red. and
horsey: strings bands. butterflies. As
cots puts, and cravats. and others so
quaint as 10 resemble the antiquated
stock. Here is a member wearing a black
silk crayat evidently tied by either his
wife or daughter before leaving home:
there one requiring the art of an exqui-
site. Here you see one which vas evil
IDENTIFY arranged In the dark, and there
one that was tied the day before yester-
day
And the shirts: Most are white. some
we're white, and others nondescrlpf Here
is one with a filmy traeery on it's front,
illustrating its owners fondness for the
weed. Here the old-fashioned wrlstband
Is displayed without cuffs. and a limp col
lar. evidently part OF the shirt itself.
The faces are almost as characteristic
as the garments. Look Of here on the
left, i've rows back. Here Is face hard