The Washington weekly post., 1900-04-03

greetings with those who accost him. No
man in Congress probably has greater
cause for vexation. His fate as a legisla-
tor recalls the fate of Tantalus. Indeed
he is the TantalUs of legislation in the
House of Representatives.
Thaddeus Mahon Is chairman Of the
Committee on War Claims He has been
chairman of this committee ever since
Thomas B. Reed succeeded Charles F.
Crisp as Speaker. AS he disappears with
in the doorway OF his committee room you
breathe more freely. The man is appar-
emily overcharged with responsibility and
surcharged with resentment.
Industrious, capable. and energetic in
committee, he is a unique victim of the
Reed rules. Like Tantalus he is seated
near a well-flled table, yet the viands
seem forever beyond his reach. All the
bills reported from his committee go upon
the private calendar Of the House and are
considered in the order in which they are
reported and stand on the calendar Every
Friday. under the Reed rules. is set apart
for the consideration Of bills on the pri-
vate calendar To this Tantalus OF legisla-
ton, however, Friday seems to be ete--
nally evanescent. The day comes around
regularly enough, but ii never stops for Ma
hon On Thursday. January 4, the House
adjourned over Friday to Monday; on
Friday. January Y, it was on the verge of
the private calendar. when a twinkle
came into the eye of Serene f. Payne, the
leader of the majority. Under the prompt
recognition of the Speaker he moved
that the House adjourn. All the flock fell
lowed the lead of the bellwether and the
House did adjourn.
On Friday, January 10. the Hon Samuel
:. Barney, of West Bend. Wis. threw the
pension appropriation bill across the road
OF legislation and occupied the entire day
Friday, January 26, was set apart az a
day for paying tribute 10 the late Vice
President, Garrett A Hobart On Friday
February ?, the Hon. James s. sherman
or l tica, y. Y, shunted the Indian appro-
rriation bill across the pathway of Ieeis-
lation. and Tantalus again saw the tempt
ing feast disappear Like the pension bill
the Indian appropriation bill was privileg-
ed under the rules. Thaddeus took his
hat and disappeared from the House.
On Friday, February 9. there was an
other twinkle in the eve OF Serene Z.
Payne, and once more he moved that the
House adjourn. The Hon. James ID.
Richardson. Of Tennessee, who seemed To
t. under the impression that some of the
rules Of the House should be enforced
protested. calling attention to the fac1
that this was private bill day. The sheen
and the lambs, however. again followed
the bellwether, took the fierce. and tba
House adjourned. On Friday. Febr,Iarv
Is the Hon James A. Hemenwav. OF
BCCrville, Ind, tumbled the Legislative
executive. and judicial appropriation bin
in front OF the private calendar. and Tan
talus again retired with parched tongue
On Friday. February .. Serene z. PaynA
was blocking the way with his Porto
Rico tariff bill. and Tantalus was stiu in
despair. On Friday March .. Joa Cannon
sprung supplemental Porto Rican bin
on the House, and the Iuxuries on the
table were still beyond reach. DIseoDcerr.
ed, Tantalus retired with hungry NAV
On Friday, March 9, came the crowY-
ing touch OF all. TRenty-four bills re-
ported from the Committee on wa-
Claims, headed the private calendar
StrinSinS behind them were several hum
dred measures from other committees.
half OF them pension claims. For MANY
years, Friday night. under the rules o.
the House has been set apart for the
N~---'---N- --A-S-i y. ECtArAgA blllS< Nor
tunately for Mr.. Mahon. Prof. TaIbert az
South Carolina. al the beginning OF tbis
session, inauguratsd system Of ni,,b,
schools At these reunions he insista3
that no pension bills should pass witho,,,
the presence OF a quorum Several ~
these night schools were held wfthout Oh
tanning q quorum. This forced the Com
mittee on Rules 10 the front John paI-
Zeli Wgs in evidence Thss- b-,,..,.. =
q special order. setting aside two Fr,5avS
each month for the consideration OF uen-
sion bills. thus robbirg TantaIus OF one
halI OF his useless time.
II vas too much for Thaddeus Mahon
He evidently wanted 10 see the food on
the table. even II unable 20 taste II. In
an instant he became picturesque figure
on the floor Fuming with indignation
be denounced the attempt 10 Interfere
with the privilege Of his committee. IN