The Washington times., 1902-03-02
TANTALUS CLUBS
INITIAL BANQUET
First Term Republicans Dine
at Barton'S.
HOW TO RUN CONGRESS
-Four Dozen New Members of the House
Debate and Enact Legislation While
Discussing an Excellent Menu-Witty
Speeches.

And next l looked on Tsntalus. prey
To grievous torment, standing in a lake
That reached his chin. Though painfully
athrst,
He could not drink; as often as he bowed
His aged head to take unto his lips
The water. IT was drawn away, and sank
Into the earth, and the dark soil appeared
Around his feet; a god had dried it up.
The lofty trees dropped DER him, hung
with fruit
Pears and pomegranates. apples fair to
sight.
And luscious figs and olives green of hue.
And when the ancient man put forth his
hands
To pluck them from their stems the wind
arose
And whirled them far away amcng the
shadowy Clouds
Once during tariff debate the Hon.
Champ Clark. of Missouri. took occasion
to make some reference to Hades There
upon an opponent upon the other side OF
the Chamber erquired of him the way to
that place.
Instantly the big Missourian replied:
tives, walk down the main aisle, turn to
the right, and there you are"'
"Tantalus" Club Organized.
So the "Tantalus" Club has been or
sanized, but not. it should be said be-
cause of any remark made by Mr.. Clark.
Its name is derived from the verse
above quoted from Odyssy's account of
his journey to Hades, as reported by
Homer
Last night the club held its first ban
quet. The culinary department of Bar
tons did not permit one of its member
ship of forty-eight to be a prey to the
grievous torments" which were endured
by the patron saint of the organization.
Quite the contrary was the case. The
banquet board was spread with the choic-
est OF the seasons viands, and neither
God nor man dried up the flow of its
liquid refreshments.
A Brilliant Idea.
The Tantalus Club. whose organization
was effected last night, is the fruition o!
a brilliant idea born in the brains of
the Hon. Sam L Powers, Hon. Emmett
Tompkins. and Hon. David J. Foster
Its membership is composed of the four
dozen Republican members of Congress
who are serving their first terms in that
Legislative body, and as each admitted
last night, is anxious TO continue indef-
nitely.
The session opened with the considera
tion OF measures on the Private Calen-
dar," and to the slogan. "A Dinner Luz
bricates Business"
The Private Calendar.
Before the adjournment was taken the
following bills had been passed unani-
mously. but not without liberal and Wig
orous discussion under debate, which was
very general:
H. R. 1901. To make the State of Iowa
an independent Republic. with authority
to have three Presidents and enough
other offices to 90 round.
III. r. BOO. To authorize the member
of Congress from Delaware TO cast two
votes for that State in the Senate and
to furnish adequate protection for said
member while so doing.
III. R. 66S. To provide system of ir-
r!gation Tor the State of Maine.
III. r. 4-11-44. To extend the civil
service law over the United States Senate
and provide that hereafter all United
States Senators shall be selected by the
Civil Service Commission sitter COMPETE
1--WE examination, ana 10 provide further
that no member OF the House shall be
permitted to in any way influence said
selection beyond certifying to the good
character and peaceful disposition of the
applicant.
Ii. r. 415,677 To establish a perma-
nent bureau for cutting hair of Indian
tribes under treaty. football players. not
under treaty, and piano players, accred-
tied to this country"
Renresentatiya Powers Of MaSsa chu-
setts presided. At his right sat Repre-