Omaha daily bee., 1901-02-01
ETCuINGs OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
scenes and incidents Around the Hub
of National Politics.


by correspondent OF the New York Herald
shows that Townes salary as senator
amounted to Ssl2. His mileage from Duluth
to Washington and return amounted TO
S2SS. so he will draw about 81 600 for filling
Cushman X. Davis seat for fifty-six days.
His speech today contained 10000 words.
Thus Townc has been paid by the United
States just cents word for his speech.
Towne had prepared another speech. but
did not deliver IT, so it will not count in
the calculation. The suppressed speech
attacked the entire policy of the repub-
lican party. trusts. ship subsidy, finances
and Imperialism, but the party leaders in
duced Townc to devote his speech entirely
to the Philippines.
Events in the life of Senator Towne OF
Minnesota have within the last year or so
crowded thick and fast upon each others
heels. says the Washington Times. His
nomination by the popuiist party for vice
president during the recent campaign was
an exceedingly high honor for so young a
man. and there was "a little twinkle in
his eye" day or so ago when he mounted
the steps and took UP the vice presiden.
tial gavel, which was handed over to him
temporarily by Senator Frye.
Senator Mason took In the situation with
keen delight. Senator Allen was speak
ing. manfestly to All up time. At the
earliest opportunity Senator Mason sent
to Towne a little note. saying: Your sins
are many. The punishment fits the
crime"
Senator Towne replied with the follow
ing note: IL don't know about the punish
ment nor the crime. but think l am
breaking a record. One term in the house,
month in tho nd hnur N
the vice presidential chair"
The Washington Star suggests that 1t
is a good thing that the river and har-
Dor bill comes up during the rainy season,
when the water courses for whose improve
ment appropriations have been made can
be clearly traced. This recalls the reply
of General Grant, when a southern con-
gressman came to him and inquired II he
would approve bill for the Improvement
of certain river in his state.
Let me see" said Grant. didn't I cross
that stream in the campaign OF -"
The congressman who had served the
confederacy, remembered very we'll that
he did. and said so.
"Well, then" said the president 81
will approve that bill on one condition"
What is it," asked the congressman.
anxiously.
1T is," answered Grant, that you will
amend the bill so as to provide that the
stream be macadamzed."
Ever since 1869" writes a correspondent
OF the Chicago Tribune, Captain A. d.
Loefiler has opened the door for every
public man and for every applicant for
office who has called on the president at
the White House. All these years he has
stood guard at the little door which opens
into the presidents room, and he is said
to know by sight more prominent people
of the last thirtyfve years than any otner
living man. Captain Loefler served dur
ing the civil war in the cavalry branch OF
the service, aud has always been on the
payroll of the War department. The other
day he was placed on the retired list OF
the army, but he will still hold his place
at the door. lie opened the door for Gar
field, Hayes and Mckinley, when each Of
the three was in turn congressman from
Ohio He opened the door later when each
of them was president and others came to
pay calls"
Wouldn't it be remarkable IL Mrs. Car
rie Nation came to Washington on Feb
ruary 20 TO smash the saloons in the capitol?
Il heard very interesting conversation
as l came down town to the street car
this morning." said Representative Stark
OF Nebraska, to a Washington Post reporter
II sat behind two women who wore the
badge OF the Woman's Christian Temperance
union. They were discussing the feasibility
of raising a subscription for the purpose
OF bringing Mrs. Nation to Washington, and
having her attack the restaurants in the
capitol. They said that they did not know
whether she would come here or not but
thought that the effort ought to be made,
as 1t would focus national attention upon
the selling Of liquors in the capitol. They
mentioned Washington's birthday as the ap-
propriate date for the saloon smashing
event. | am going to await further de-
velopments with great interest"
1t Is seldom that anyone who is not en-
titled to the privilege OF the floor of the
senate manages to slip by the keen eyed
doorkecpers who guard the entrances, re-
ports the Washington Times. Their watch
fulness is untiring, yet last week they had
TO admit themselves outwitted and by a
book agent at that. The feat was accom-
plished through combination of unlimited
assurance and prosperous appearance
About half an hour before the opening OF
the days session a middle aged man, with
few books under his arm, walked RAPIDLY |
through the senate reception room, and as
though he had been accustomed to do It
dozen times day, turned into the lobby. |
He made his entrance with such an air OF
authority that no one stopped to question
him. Entering the chamber, he sought out |
Senator Doliver sat down beside him, and |
engaged him in conversation. In few mo- |
ments the gentleman opened up in praise
OF the books he carried, and exhibited the |
specimens, dilating upon the rare excel
lence of the bindings the paper and the |
print. Senator Dolliver was naturally
taken by surprise to find himself besieged
right in his senatorial chair by a book
agent, but recovered himself to ask How
did you get here"
"Oh, just walked in," replied the can
yasser,
Just walked NJ" echoed the senator |
We'll, then" he concluded "the sergeant |
alarms OF the senate will assist you to
Just walk out" and the commercial
gentleman was officially shown to the door |
Uncle Joe" Cannon often crowds a
number OF his forcible thoughts into one !
short paragraph, does it picturesquely and |
adds to the entertainment of the house |
In ten printed lines the other day, relates |
the Washington Post. he explained his at
titude regarding a memorial bridge, ex-
pressed his opposition to appropriations
for expositions and then provoked roar
OF laughter by drOpDinR into yerae Thara