Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-21
HUMOR BUBBLES FREELY AND
WIT FLOWS FAST IN CONGRESS

WASHINGTON. April 7.-Humcr. that
potential element Of American civilization.
finds no more spontaneous welcome in
this country than that which greets Its
appearances in the great deliberative body,
the American congress. And nowhere In
this great nation does humor bubble freer
or wit flow faster than in this seifsame
deliberative body.
Hardly a day passes in congress that
does not bring forth some new and choice
example OF the genuine article or at least
some old example newly decked and
adroitly applied. The subject under dis
cussion does not control the character Of
the remarks and even the most practical
and unromantic themes furnish occasions
for the display OF the keenest wit and
the drollest humor. The oleomargarine
bin. the Philippine tariff and even the
revenue cutter service has AFFORDED the
smart ones opportunity 10 get off the
brightest fiasnes OF the season. II breaks
out suddenly and is therefore the more In
tensely relished. one OF the sights OF the
capitol Is the spectacle OF me digni1ed
United States senate. graveIy listening to
a scientific and learned discourse, instant
~ transformed into a boisterous and hill
arious assembly of Laughing. roilicking
individuals conyulsed by dart of humor
in the shape OF question hurried across
the hall. "
The other day, during the debate on the
question OF investigating the Danish West
Indies bribery scandal, Uncle. Joe Cam
non a lank Republican from Illinois, held
the floor He was I'm a towering rage az
the Democratic hints of Republican bribe-
taking. The purpose OF his remarks was
70 show that neither he nor his party
knew anything about the charges and the
other side had better 60 slow In calling
for an investigation. His form shook with
II f-N- al h.
ed hands high above his head and shout
ed:
''I DO not know that the $4,000, was
used / do not know anything about II,
and until do know more than the gentle
man from Tennessee seeks to know will
not rise in my place and seek"
ITO know" interjected loud Demo-
cratic voice as the angry Republican
fioundered for a term.
Even Uncle" Joe forgot his wrath for
the moment and Joined in the whoop Of
laughter that fonowed the dig at Re-
publican blindness when corruption is
charged. When he recovered he went on
to say he would not seek to cast dishonor
on any man connected with the govern
ment, but the Democratic shaft stuck in
his argument and ruined IT.
When the discussion on the revenue cut
ter service was on in the house Represen-
tative Richardson. OF Alabama, took oc-
casion to say the revenue cutters never
fought except IN times Of war. Pete"
Hepburn, OF Iowa. in reply. said this:
MY friend from Tennessee. from his
home by the side of that magnificent
spring in Huntsville so wonderfully
adapted TO nautical pursuits"
II do not want to lose my identity en-
tirely." interrupted Mr.. Richardson. the
gentleman ought to know am from Ala
bama."
IT Intended IN commitments the GENTLE
man first" retorted Hepburn. but now
since my attention is called TO II I will
compliment the state Of Alabama by MAX
ing the correction"
The house applauded the neat parry and
then went into roars of laughter as Hep
burn proceeded:
The gentleman from that beautiful
spring so adapted to nautical pursuits has
said the revenue cutters fight only in time
Of war, and the gentleman from Pixies
Peak. perched pleasantly upon the summit
OF that vast mountain, taking in the COM
prehensive view which from that point
discloses the naval and military establish
ment OF the United States does notthesi-
tate TO Join him. My God, my friends.
when would you have them TO fight? Do
you want them so organized as is my
friend Mann from Illinois, who is ready TO
fight at all times and everything? When
have observed that popularity on the
part Of my friend from Illinois / have
thought that II the theory of transmigra-
ton Of souls be true and he hereafter ap-
peared as a later incarnation. he would
come as an animal with four legs instead
OF two and he would paw with his front
legs and kick with his hind legs"
Then Representative Mann got in some
humor Of a broad brand. He said
MY remembrance Is that the theory OF
the TRANSPORTATION Of souls is one held by
the Hindoos. The gentleman having COM
pared me 10 a Hlndoo. I may say feel
very much Ike the Hindoo; the poor be-
nighted Hindoo. who does the best he
kindo. He sticks 10 caste from first TO
last and for clothes he make his skin do"
The hveliest half hour the senate has
experienced in years was that which SEN
ator Bailey enlivened last week by his
clever retorts upon Senators Depew and