Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-04
EPISODES ON
The OUTSIDE
Corridors Crowded by People Who
Have Axes to Grind.
CUMMINGS COAGsE SSlOAAL CHAT
Encidont. th"s Help 10 Make Up tho
Every Day Lilo OF stntesmsn at tho
a'apitoi-Chnirmon OF Big Commits
toes Often Have 10 Flight rhrir
Way Through Emportun",c
Thr"ns. TO Reach Their Seats ia
she House N istnk on Identify Cases
CUMMINGS CONGRESSIONAL CHI

copyright, 1900,by Amos j. Cummings.)
Washington. D. c., February a.
Out In the corridors jostled by n
crowd OF eager citizens. doorkeepers.
police officers. and gentlemen and ladies
peculiarly interested In legislation.
The Congressman has just finished a
short speech in the House. He has been
talking on an appropriation bill, In
which there was an item leveled at the
interests of his constituents. He makes
determined effort to defeat 1t. He
has spoken with the warmth of his
convictions, and has made the welkin
ring with his eloquent protests. Aroused
by his energy, members come rushing
from the cloak-rooms and the Speakers
lobby to ascertain what Is going on.
The galleries have been awakened, and
the House is humming with music. The
Congressman no sooner takes his seat
than half n dozen cards are placed in
his hands, summoning him to the cor
ridors. If he is an old member, repre-
senting contiguous district, he Is sure
to be in demand, not only among his
own constituents. but among a fair per-
centage Of the constituents OF other
members.
Out in the corridors 1t is q peculiar
atmosphere. The main entrance to the
House Is blocked by IN importuning
group. sending In cards to different
members. Some are ofIice-seekers: 9TH
crs seek favorable legislation affecting
the1i personal interests. Some want
passes to the galleries of the House and
Senate: Others are applicants for PEN
sions. Here is the representative of a
firm that has overpaid customs duties
under protest, and is awaiting a return
OF the duty unjustly imposed: there Is
man with a claim against the Gov
eminent who has haunted the CORR lors
for years seeking settlement. There
are women In the throng. One is seek
Ing the influence Of n me mber to secure
the dis 2harse Of sick son in the Phil
iplines; another Is pressing an appoint
ment in either the Census Bureau or
the Congressional Library. Here q lady
seeks help for some benevolent insti-
tuition in the District: there one is ask
ing permission to withdraw papers ac-
complaining some resolution which has
been referred TO one Of the prominent
committees of the House Here Is q
delegation seeking the adoption of an
amendment TO q bill already under con-
sideration by the House; tn: re is an
other delegation asking that a day be
set for hearing concerning some pro-
posed Legislation. All are busy, and
each has q definite object In view. All
are brandishing their political hatchets
and axes and seeking a Congressional
grindstone.
Any well known Representative who
can walk through the corridors while
the House is in session without being
repeatedly overrun with opportunities
must be a rara avis indeed. The chair
man of great committee at times has
to fairly fight his way from the House
to the door of his committee room, and
in nearly all cases the applicant is not
a resident of the district which the
Congressman represents.
Eventful scenes occur IN the cor
ri1ors. The other day n Congressman
was accosted by well-dressed lady as
he emerged from the door of his COM
mittee room. She called him by name,
saying: 81 fear you have forgotten me.
You dined at our house In Nova Scotia
some years ago. and grandfather has
sung your praises ever since"
or course the Representative was ex-
tremely gracious. The dinner was the
result OF an Introduction by a Ca
madam official, who was also a guest at
the same table. The wines were good !:
the salmon was fresh and fine; the beef
beyond reproach, and the cigars ex-
duieite. All were recalled to memory,
including an excellent musical enter
tainment on piano.
Eyes" said the lady, smiling sweet
~, II sat at the piano that evening.
was only fifteen years old then, and
my hair was much lighter than 1t IS
now. You will pardon me when tell
.f.-fl
indeed"
After further inquiries concerning
the family. the Congressman asked
whether he could be Of any service to
her. With becoming nodesty she ex-
planned her predicament She had
started for Cincinnati. and on reach
ing Washington had received q tele-
gram stating that her husband was
dangerously III In Pittsburg. asking her
to change her route and come to Pitts
burg Immediately. She handed the
dispatch to the Congressman, and
seemed to be in great distress. Some
one had suggested to her that she
should hunt him up and try to secure
pass over railroad. The Representa-
tive gave her q seat in his committee
room, asking her to wait until he re-
ceived reply to her note for trans
portation. She waited three-hours
rive O'Clock came. The shades OF night
were approaching, and the House adj
Journed. No answer had been received
20 the request for transportation The
Train was to depart within an hour
Her tears We're failing fast, as she
cnoKingiy spoke of the sad condition
or her husband. In commiseration and
desperation the Congressman asked the
rare to Pfttsburg. He loaned her the
necessary amount Of money. and she
tearfuliy promised to return 1t on her