The Washington times., 1901-11-22
TWO STORIES OF INGALLS,.
"Reminiscences of the knnsan by an
Old senate EmpIoye.


In the room of the Senate Committee on
the District OF Columbia. where the board
of architects and landscape gardeners are
preparing their report. outlining a plan
for new park system for Washington,
there is an official of the Sergeant-at-
Arms Office on duty who has been in con-
tinuous employ of the Senate for nearly
half a century His name is Charles S.
Draper, and he has known personally al
most every man who has been a member
of the Senate in all those years.
The late John j. ingalls,, of Kansas, was
once Chairman of the District Committee,
and in recalling "reminiscences of his ad-
ministration the other day, Draper told
two very good stories. One of them was
this:
When the late David Davis of Illinois
was President pro tempore of the Senate,
holding the balance of power as an indie
pendent Democrat, and preventing the
Republicans from taking possession of the
Senate patronage, he was presiding one
day at a long g-drawn-out session. Becom-
ing very tired and hungry, he was anxious
to have the Senate adjourn. Sending for
a Senator he requested him to make a
certain point of order that would have
brought about such a legislative situation
that adjournmen. would necessarily have
to follow. The Senator made his point.
which was very bad one, indeed and Mr.
Davis promptly decided that it was well
taken. Just as he did so ingalls, emerged
from the cloak room. Strutting down the
main aisle, he addressed the Chair, and in
his sternest voice and most dramatic
manner shouted:
"Mr. President, | am amazed.
so am l." said the Presiding Officer,
promptly. dropping his head on the desk
to conceal his laughter, and then quickly
entertained a motion for adjournment,
and retired to the lunchroom.
On another occasion toward the end OF
a session. lasting far into the summer. the
usual proposition was before the Senate
to give everybody on the employ es pay
roll an extra months pay. The bill waT
about 10 pass, when Ingalls,, arousing him
self, sent to the library for a stack of
books, and began such a fierce attack upon
the measure as to quickly fill the Senate
chamber with an audience to listen TO his
sarcasm and invectives.
There is no precedent for this, Nj.
President" was the burden of his speech,
and over and over again, at the end of
each well-directed attack, he would re-
peat, lutiS ID NO pItCtueHl ioT tiAlS,
Mr.. President"
At the close of his speech as the Sem
ator was passing from the Senate chamber
to his committee room, Draper, who had
been standing with a group Of other em
ployes, anxiously awaiting the result of
the onslaught on their salary grab,
stepped out from the others and spoke to
Mr. ingalls,.
Senator" ne said, that was an able
speech from your standpoint, but why do
you oppose it? We thought that you, of all
the Senators, would be our particular
friend"
With frOwn Mr.. Ingalls, turned and
said in his most cutting tones, Draper,
do you mean to tell me that you men who
have so little to do and are so well paid
desire to draw thirteen months pay for
twelve months service? If you are not
satisfied why don't you resign and let
some one have your places who will be
satisfied to draw a legitimate salary?"
Why" said Draper, quickly, uncon-
sciously initiating the voice and manner
OF Mr.. ingalls, in his speech. there is no
precedent for this, Mr.. Senator" and In
gals went off laughing SO that it could
be heard over at the House of Repre-
sentatives.
The next day the bill passed and the
employees got their thirteen months pay
for twelve months OF semi-idleness