Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-10
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
EtchIngs of People and Events nt the
National Capital.

of People and Events at the
National Capital.
Membership In the senate has had o
softening and soothing effect upon the
solemn and picturesque Bailey Of Texas. A
correspondent Of the Philadelphia North
American says the junior senator from the
Lone Star state, while a member Of the
house, wore a low-cut waistcoat, showing
an expansive shirt bosom, long and loose
coat. the regulation southern felt hat,
Of the sombrero order, and walked along
the streets like a man trying to tread In the
of Daniel Webster, and picking
out the footsteps as he went.
Now Bailey is quite a debonnaire-looking
senator. He wears his hair no longer than
do lots of men who are not statesmen, has
a cutaway coat and a vest Of ordinary pat
tern, and has been seen wearing necktles
with a dash Of red in them.
He has not yet permitted himself to be
forced into evening clothes, but he no
longer snorts and shles like q Texas pony
when a man with an evening suit ap-
proaches him 1t is said by Texas admirers
OF Bailey that he struck the state Of Texas,
running for congress, and he has been IN
congress- ever since.
Bailey il solemn enough and deliberate
enough in everything he does to suit the
senate, and he is regarded as quite an or
nament, especially as he sits next to Till
and serves to mellow the landscape in
the Vicinity Of that rugged and by no means
pleasant looking individual. He has made
an impression upon the senate, and lie
rapidly being acknowledged as the leader
OF the democratic side.
The senate was considering the bill to
ratify the treaty with the Grow Indians In
Montana, reports the Washington Post.
Are there any amendments ~ asked the
presiding officer.
There is one committee amendment"
whispered the clerk.
The committee amendment will be re-
ported" said Mr.. Frye.
Amid dignihed silence the clerk read as
follows:
Strike out two !ackasses' and insert one
stallion"
The amendment sounded so ludicroua
that the senators burst cut laughing. Sena-
tor Plat Of Connecticut almost rolled out
Of his chair.
Speaking about nerve" says Commits
4Nahog 4 hoNG JUST O6Gn
In contact with an acute case. When I first
assumed office as commissioner Of pensions
l had a great deal of trouble with an at
torney who was engaged In all kinds Of
fraudulent practices. After a long period Of
worriment and great dificulty the attorney
was finally given a three-year term in the
penitentiary. The other day I received a
letter from the same man saying he was
about to be released from Imprisonment
ana asking me ae q personal favor to
secure a railroad pass for him to Cali
~fornia-"
Senator Hoar Of Massachusetts, who I'd
~ years old, was engaged in an earnest
argument with Senator Bacon of Georgia
over Mr.. Hoar's bill for the protection
OF the president of the United States. The
senate was very quiet because the other
members were enjoying the contest be-
tween what are termed the two most stub
born men In that body. MI. Hoar was in
the midst Of one of his arguments when
Senator Depew sneezed. The venerable
Massachusetts, man was forced to stop, be-
cause a Depew sneeze is a time-consum-
ing operation. 1t begins with a serio-
comic buzz and ends with an explosion
which would make q gallery god think the
villain was getting in his gunpowder stunt.
Mr.. Hoar faced about and looked sternly
at his interrupter. Senator Depew's eyes
hlled with tears-genuine tears-and he
buried his face in his handkerchief. All
the rest OF the senators laughed at the
scene except the participants. Mr.. Hoar
had to wait for quiet before he proceeded.
After the session Mr.. Depew, who is es
years old. went up TO the defender of the
traditions and dignity OF the senate to ex-
press his regret that the sneeze had ar
rived at such an inopportune time, but Mr..
Hoar received the apology coldly.
You know, Depew," Mr.. Hoar said, pc.
verely, that l d~Isspprove of such boyish
pranks on the senate floor and / am greatly
displeased."
When Senator Tillman came out Of the
senate chamber the afternoon he and sena-
tor McLaurin had their nsticufs he met
senate employe and said:
We'll, aid / make q fool Of myseif?"
The senate employe ndgeted and replied
81 canno answer that question. Senator
Tillman. II I said Yes l would not b.
showing proper respect to a senator. and
II l said NO / would be a liar"
In nearly all state legislatures, says the
Washington Post. visitors are taken il
upon the floor when accompanied by a sena
tor or representative. The privilege doeI
not obtain in the United States senate. u
Senator Willard discovered one day las
week.
Mr.. Milard approached one Of the senate
doors with a constituent and invited thu
latter TO enter. 81 beg pardon. senator.
said the doorkeeper. but is this gentle
man a member OF congress or an ex-sena'
tori"
mo" was the reply. but he's witt
me-"
Evidently regarding this fact as sufncisn,
Mr.. Willard conducted his friend upon tn
door. Ten minutes later the two gentle
men we're upstairs In the gallery. tn
sergeant-at-arma had whispered . teV
words in the senator's ear.