The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-18
HORSE PLAY MARKS
CLOSE OF SESSION
Continued From First Page

his desk and he had a little danger
zone all to himself. He stopped about
everything that came his way, without
interrupting his talk
Two or three other members had
some doubt as to the amendment and
the house let up for an instant until this
was Strengthened and then renewed the
horseplay with more abandon than
ever. w. A. Nolan arose to remon-
strate, but was obliged to cross his
arms about his face in the manner of
prize fighter hard pressed. He was
showed under with bills and newspa-
pers.
By this time many members had ar
rived at the conclusion that standing
with their backs to the walls was the
safest way to take part in the discus
sion, and the seats in the center of
the chamber were deserted. When all
the bills had been thrown away and
the ammunition became scarce. the
combative ones turned to the covers,
cardboard affairs, that sailed through
the air with a whiZz and with force
enough to permanently dent any coun-
tenance they came in contact with. The
narrow escapes were too numerous to
mention, and an astonishing ability to
duck was shown by many of the more
elderly members.
Omnibus Bill Arrives
The appropriation bill returned from
senate brought another lull. but it was
merely superficial. The bombardment
ceased for the time being, but scarcely
anyone paid any attention to the clerk
When 1T came to a vote each member
essayed some vocal absurdity. Some
growled out their approval or the re-
verse in deepest bass, while others
touched high places that Ellen Beach
Yaw never heard of
With the appropriation bill out of the
way, all restraint vanished, as the leg
lslators evidently considered their work
over for the session. Everybody be-
gan throwing stuff about Huge bum
dies of bills were hurled high in the
air, sections of the revised code were
tossed back and forth, waste baskets
were damned on heads and a condition
commonly designated as rough house"
prevailed.
History was being made in a merry
fashion until some genius cast his eyes
on the circular rubber mats beside each
desk. Then the trouble began. These
mats are about eighteen inches in di-
ameter and are capable of being hurled
through the air like a discus. One
came sailing across the charmber
skipping from head to head, and then
another Every member in the house
had mat and the air was black with
them in an instant. When they land
ed they landed hard. Representative
Erickson was struck on the eye with
one and Il bad bruise inflicted An
other sailed into Representative
Bouck's cheek and left its mark. The
wounded were allowed to seek refuge
In the ST0OLSinQ yx-hila Ia oil
kept up the fray.
Women Enjoy Scene
In the galleries. there were many
women who We're enjoying the scene
immensely, as friend or relative COL
lided with a mat. One indiscrete per-
son gave shrill shrek of laughter and
turned the attention of the house to the
loft. Immediately there was a swarm
of mats upwards and the feminine con-
tingent-beat a hurried retreat from the
front seats. There were a lot of able
bodied men up stairs and they began
returning the mats with interest COM
pounded and soon drove the house
members back to the wall.
There wasn't any possibility of carry
ing on the formalfty of legislative pro-
ceedingS under these conditions, and
Speaker Clague announced that there
would be an adjournment for luncheon
which was spread in the judiciary
room. There was Va stampede to the
room and the colored door tender was
treated TO a few moments of strenuos-
ity. He attempted to bar one member
and was hurled across the room. He
was game. however, and came back
only to be met by one of the largest
men in the house, who proudly an
nounced that his particular and soul
satisfying delight was taking on eight
doortenders at one time. The advent Of
several members with their wives dis
appointed the brawny member TO the
intense relief of the door tender
All this time the senate was calmly
transacting business, with little or no
hilarity. At rare intervals same SEN
ator, imbued with more than ordinary
wickedness, would venture to toss a
little ball of paper and then hold his
breath pending the outcome of his dar-
ing. A few seconds before adjourn
ment somber looking member of the
upper branch worked off q back hand
throw. joltipg the occupant of the desk
behind him with a bundle of bills
Somebody accidentally hit page, and
the pages took a hand, and for the
space of full minute there was gen.
eral turmoil. When the motion to ad-
journ was put the senators relieved
their pent up spirits in the affirmative
and then departed.