The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-17

u
to it that they are well screened from
the general view while thus refreshing
themselves. Not ses many years ago
about every committee room in both
wings of the capitol contained well filled
liquor cabinets. but most of these have
been routed out. One senator from
state that is stefnly prohibition still
clings to his ornate cabinet, filled with
liquors and chaInpagnes in his elabor-
ately appointed committee room, or rath-
er in a small room leading from the
committee room. Out this cabinet is kept
well under covefN and Sonly the choicest
and safest spirits share its proprietor's
hospitality.
Personal encouhtersgtbetween lawmak-
,ers resulting from drink have occurred
within the recelIectiQm of men not yet
middlc-aged The details of these af-
fairs were in most cases hushed up, but
Washington people always heard about
them Such things do not occur today.
The present generation of Americans
would be stunned, and afterwards furf-
Gus, at a story of rough-and-tumble
fight between a couple OF members of
the cabinet over game of cards. Yet
that very thing happened at John Cham
berlinS while less than quarter or the
nineteenth century yet remained to De.
unreeled. and when men spoke about it
down in Washington they only Winked
erayely at each other and wished they q
been standing. by. to see the mix
Washington correspondents still In mar
ness at the capital. and still pretty
sprightly and clipper, easily remember.
when big poker games were common uIl-
der the big dome. The games went on
in the committee rooms In both OF the;
wings of the capitol, and no pretense of
Keeping them secret was made. Partfci-.
pants In. these games would be hastily
summoned to- their respective legislative
chambers to vote. and. having answered
to their names would hustle back to the
cards with all speed. Notorious lobbyists
would be permitted or actually invited to
-..sit into" these games, and stories are
still told of how these lobbyists would
scempiacently lose thousands and ten of
thousands of dollars to men whose good
will they relied upon in immediate or fu-
ttire contingencies. There are also stories
of card parties and drinking bouts given
by some of. these lobbyists at their quar-
tiers to the legislators, the 'fayers' dis
tributed among the guests being bills of
large denominations fuutively tucked into
overcoat pockets while the garments
hung in the hall.
The legislators OF today would no more
think of pIayings cards in the committee
rooms than they sWould think of throwing
rocks at the Greanoush statue OF Wash
ington. They Wouldn't even play old
maid or grab OF casino behind closed
doors in the committee rooms. lest the
fact Of their manipulating the paste.
boards should leak opt and they should
be suspected of engaging in game of
chance for money. Of course, those of
the legislators who enjoy their little or
their big little gan of draw permit
themselves the Indulgence at their quar-
tiers, with boon colleagues as tablemates,-
when night has fallen and the business
of the day IS over but the most invet-
crate among the congressional lovers of
the game of American draw poker would
as soon play bean bag or tag or puss-
the corner in the fotunda of the caps.ol
as to rifle a deck on the table of q con-
gressiona1 committee ROOM
Fifteen or twenty wears ago 1t WIS no
unusual thing to see 81 brace or trio OR
quartette of happy-go -iiaeky lawmakers,