Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-30
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Minor scenes Rad incidents sketched
on the spot.

on the spot.
The vicissitudes Of life az the national
capital are strangely illustrated in the ca
reer OF Hallet Kilbourne, whose mental
condition necessltated his confinement in
the Government Hospital for the Insane
a few days ago. For years back his nam
was rarely seen in public prints, yet a
score OF years ago he was a power in the
AFFAIRS Of the district and was the master
mind OF the notorious real estate ring Of
Washington. His chief claim to notoriety
rests on the fact that he compelled Uncle
Sam to pay him $500 a day for enjoying
his society exclusively for six weeks. A
committee OF the house OF representatives,
while investigating the deals OF the real
estate ring, Kilbourne as a wit
ness and demanded certain information
contained in the private books OF his Arm.
He refused to furnish It, and by a vote OF
the house he was arrested by the sergeant
alarms, John G.. Thompson, and locked
up for contempt.
Kilbourne carried his case to the courts,
which decided that he was clearly within
his rights in refusing to answer the ques-
lions put to him. His release occurred
about forty days after his arrest. Suit
for damages was entered by Kilbourne
dhu aAANA AOuA u NuN NhEt "a NoAE-
promised by congress paying him $4,000.
-
The night sessions of the house. says
the Washington Post, are a strain upon
those eloquent orators who love to wander
unfettered in the 1owery paths Of unob-
structed speaking. While latitude Of de-
bate is tolerated by day, as soon as the
shadows Of evening fall. speeches political
must adhere to the Philippine text, else
a warning is administered by the presiding
officer.
Mr.. Cochran OF Missouri learned as much
recently when he tried to raise a point
Of order on Mr.. Bromwell of Ohio, who was
delivering a political speech and reading
editorials from democratic newspapers in
the Buckeye state. Mr.. Capron of Rhode
Island, one Of the wits Of the house, was
in the chair and promptly overruled the
point.
why is the rule governing debate in the
daytime different from the rule governing
debate at night?' pleaded Mr.. Cochran.
Because the gentlemen are liable to get
more light on the subject in the daytime
than at night" responded Mr.. Bromwell
philosophically, thereupon proceeding with
his own instructive speech.
Representative Dalzell was sitting gloom
lily in a corner Of the ways and means COM
mittee room, reports a New York World
letter.
whats the matter, John" asked Rep
resentative Mcclellan. you look as though
you were in much Distress"
81 am" replied Dalzell. 81 have got to
make a speech on this Philippine civil gov
eminent bill and / am as nervous as a cat.
l always have stage fright before l make a
speech"
And that reminds me-" he continued.
Years ago President Mckinley and l were
waiting at a hotel to be driven to a hall
where we were both announced to speak.
Mr.. Mckinley sat calmly smoking his cigar,
while / was pacing up and down just as ]
am now.
Major 1 said, don't you ever get
nervous before speaking? You are as cool
as a cucumber, and / IN as nervous as the
valedictorian Of a young ladies' seminary
my dear Dalzell,' he replied, the DIFF
ference between us is this: You have got
your speech in your head and I have got
mine in my pocket"
The most striking view to be obtained OF
the exterior of the capitol building. says
the Washington Star, is on a clear night
under a cold, wind-swept sky. Standing in
the plaza to the east Of the building. with
the great white structure in chill outline
against the dark background. its noble pro-
portions seem more appreciable. The au-
stere straight lines Of the main building
blend into the graceful curves of the dome
that with a mighty sweep leap upward, up
ward. as II e~ssaying to touch the keystone
Of the star-spangled vault overhead. Dark.
silent, brooding, the majestic pile domi-
mates the scene.
From the terrace on the opposite side an
other striking picture is obtained. The eye
sweeps out Pennsylvania avenue for a mile,
over the bed Of asphalt that shimmers like
the surface OF water beneath the twin rows
Of arc lights and the gaze fetches up against
the columns of the treasury's south portico.
diminished in the perspective, but yet
stately. Southwark Of the thoroughfare lies
a dark forest, the mall. studded with points
Of light where the arc lamps show through
the trees. A shadowy outline on the west
ern sky is the Washington monument. .
ghost OF a monument by night. Beyond
that still a twinkling line Of pin-potnt
lights mark the cavalry camp at Fort
Myer, where the army keeps watch and
ward over the capital.