Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-27
WASHINGTON CHITCHAT
Practical Joke Which Shocked
 the Senate's Dignity.
BOTTLE FOUND IN TnLMAN's GOAT

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 Way Home-How the Presidents
 Answer Surprised a Western Com
 @ressman.
 Senator B. R. Tillman of South Caro- lima was engaged in a colloquy with Senator J. W. Bailey of Texas in the senate the other day, and both were standing, says the New York Herald's Washington correspondent. Senator F. G. Warren of Wyoming slipped behind MT. Tillman and drew a bottle from the outside pocket of the latter's coat. He held it up, uncorked 1t and put 1t to his nose. Then he put the bottle back in MT. Tillman's pocket. The South Carolina senator, who was speaking, was facing Senator Bailey and was unconscious of the incident.
 A ripple of laughter was heard in the galleries, but senators on the floor were shocked. They hoped the matter would go no further, but a few mo- ments afterward MT. Tillman, who had been told by Senator Bacon what had occurred, rose and said:
 ''I do not wish to magnify trivial incident, but I am informed that a friend of mine unknown to me took bottle from my pocket, smelled and put 1t back. Now, in order that the newspaper men-and there are many who can see no good in me whatever may not misrepresent me before the country I wish to state that that bot tie contained boracic acid, which am using for throat trouble.
 Had I known the senator from Wyoming wanted drink would have provided something strong. Then he would not have put the bottle back in my pocket"
 Mr. Hoar and the other senators who believe in the traditional dignity of the senate shuddered, and they almost groaned when Senator Warren replied: 'It has been rumored that some sena- tor has been smuggling a bottle into this chamber. Now, I know that the touch or taste'
 Hold onv' shouted Mir. Tillman. T do touch and taste, but I don't get drunk, except at banquets, and then not drunk enough but what I can find my way home or that had to be hBul- ed home. . 'f ~
 This was too much for Senator W. B. Allison, who raised warning finger to MT. Tillman, who resumed his seat MT. Warren persisted in going on, but tM MT. Allison went over and whispered to him, and with a few apoloGetic words the senator from Wyoming took ox,iInnflxy fnfA dnI {r, a spirit of fun, the affair was the talk of both ends of the capitol. Nearly all senators think the incident should be expunged from the record, and this is likely to be done.
 The day following the last of the receptions at the White House, which was given in honor of the senate and house of representatives, new mems Der from one of the western states whose wife was unable to accompany him to the reception and who had oc- casion to visit the president in his office, felt that he was obliged to ex-. plain the reason for the absence of his wife, says the Washington correspond ent of the New York Times.
 '.Mr President, said the new mem Der, 'I regret that Mrs. Blank was un- able to be present with me last night at the reception on account of illness"
 Delighted" said the president, fall ing into his now familiar formula. 'I hope you enjoyed yourself" 35E MI
 Representative Mann of Chicago has been suffering for some time from carbuncle on his neck. 1t is a big carbuncle and q painful one and Mir. Mann hadn't laughed for month until the other day, says the New York World. He was walking gingerly down toward the capitol when two little girls who live next door to him saw him. What's the matter with Mr. Mann?" asked one of the little girls. "Oh," replied the other with an assumption of much wisdom, "he's got a belt buckle on his neck."I
 Secretary of War Taft will have more changes made in the war depart ment than the substitution of a new chair at his desk for the one occupied by his predecessor, MT. Root, says the Washington correspondent of the PhH. adelphia Press. Judge Taft's avoirdu pois has suggested the necessity of greater protection on the winding stairways in the big state, war and navy building. He is trife over six feet in height and weighs 320 pounds He does not patronize the department elevators, but walks up and down the stairways leading to his office. The first time he walked down these wind. ing steps he was impressed by the dan- ger of falling over the low balustrade. A man of his height and weight by q single misstep or slipping on the gran ite stair might easily be thrown clear over the balustrade and meet with death or very serious injury.
 The stairways in this building are not in a straight line, but cover a seg- ment of circle in running from one floor to another. The inner side has a balustrade that would be no protection to any one who might stumble, and the granite steps are very narrow near the railings. The treacherous charac- ter of these steps was at once noticed