Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-25
7OCAS TAKE TO TRICKS
Reverend Senators Do Stunts
at YuIetide Revel.
DOORS CLOSED AND LOCKED
And They Recite Pieces, Sing Songs
and Do Step.
ALL GO THROUGH THEIR PAGES
And Then Santa Claus Brings in a
T. r. Document as Present to
All and Nobody Stays.
DOORS CLOSED AND LOCKED
ALL GO THROUGH THEIR PAGES

In at the Capitol the Christmas spirit
Is unusually strong this year. us
strange, too; for Congress has not neeh
acting during the past few weeks III
way that would ordinarily ensehder
peace and good will to all.
Like some individuals. however, con-
gross never feels more cheerful than
when 1t has good fight on Its nano- Az
least that's the way it looks to those
who know 1t intimately.
perbaps that's the reason for the enter
tainment that was given the other DAY
inst before most of the senators went
home for the holidays 1t was regular
yuletide entertainment and interesting.
But II was held in executive session. II
would be betraying confidence to tell
how It leaked out Senator - tolo II
10 his secretary. who told 1t to his wife,
who told II to Mrs. -, but never mind
about that.
Fairbanks Starts It.
Vice President Fairbanks was in the
chair as usual After the people had
been put out of the galleries and the
doors had all been closed, and double
lock had been put on the door to the
press gallery. Mr.. Fairbanks allowed his
dignity of expression to fade from his
face Then, in a lightsome tone, ne
proclaimed:
Senators We are to have now that
original little Christmas entertainment to
which we have been looking forward Tor
has been hard at work, and fine pro-
gram has been prepared. 1t will be a
regular old-fashioned affair. l promise
you. =,
for volunteers. hope everybody will
say OF do something to enliven the oc-
casion.
'.There is just one thing that I'm sorry
the chamber with holly and pine trees:
But, of course, that would have excited
suspicion. I have a little surprise for
you. however. and l do believe this Is 1t
new!'
AS he was speaking there had come a
stealthy rap at one Of the doors leading
from the private lobby. Chauncey Depew,
chairman of the special committee, at
nod from the Vice President. slipped over
and whispered something through the
crack. The door opened.
In walked Secretary Bennett with a
small bundle under his arm. Proudly the
secretary strobe I'D the steps of the ros-
trqIm and laid the bundle on the desk.
Mr.. Fairbanks carefully unwrapped a
nice. little toy Christmas tree. which he
placed with look Of triumph on the desk
were murmured 'ahs!' and then general
handspring broke out
Georgia Talent First.
The excitement having subsidized, the
first number was announced.
I'VE will have a little recitation by
the senator from Georgia. Mr.. Bacon
said Mr.. Fairbanks He bess mo to say
to you that he is much better at prose
than poetry. and that accounts for the
brevity Of his piece
Bowling bashfully. Mr.. Bacon spoke as
follows:
Merry, merry Christmas tide.
Teaching DER the world 30 wide.
II could make q speech today
IA Sd tSs ase da lat sss, until 9 next May ss.,
And go right now and make a start.
There was an abortive outburst Of ap-
plause on the republican side. Complete
silence rsisned among Mr.. Baeon.s demo-
lands Of Nevada, who is right fond of
making speeches himself. looked mex
pressively bored. Chairman Depew gig
gled; 1t looked for a minute as If he were
counsel with himself or somebody.
Senator La Toilette Of Wisconsin jumped
TO his feet.
eff the senator from Georgia wants to
run a race he began.
'Hush!' uttered Mr.. Fairbanks. for the
moment forgetting his parliamentary
form.
The champion hlibuster looked over to-
ward the republican side. and saw severe
frowns. He sat down.
The little furry was over in q minute
The eminent Georgian hurried to his seat
amid complete silence.
Mr.. Fairbanks seemed dto feel that a
bad start had been made He fastened
to break the stiffness by announcing that
the next number had been intended for
the last. as it was one of the best but
he guessed he would change the pIan and
have 1t right away.
Mr.. Tillman and chorus" sal he. with
quite an air, in their famous new song
entitled 'Leges Majestic
The famous South Carolinian strobe
down the center aisle and took his place
In front of the rostrum almost defiantly,
He looked toward his democratic brethren
as much as to say, You see I'm not
AFRAID
Behind him six republicans ranged them
selves. They were Messrs. Aldrich Hale
Foraker. Dick, Burrows and Nelson They
looked somewhat timidly at Mr. Tillman
as IL for encouragement.
This Brings Down House.
Taking deep breath. the South Caro-
hnian began, in a high, saueeky voice
tune indescrfbable and name unknown,
tried to get White House card.
Tried II often. tried II hard:
hut that Was several years ago
Vow / wouldn't so. You know.
CHORUS Tin which the other six john:
And now wouldn't go. you know
Not even though invited.
We'd all be careful to lay low
And make him feel quite sighted
TENORS Dick. Burrows and Nelson.
going 1t alone):
And make him feel quite sighted
And make him feel quite slightcd.
BASSOS (Foraker. Aldrich and Hale.
also alone):
sighted, slighted, sighted, sighted Sill
The bassos' profound tones sounded like
the moaning of the winter wind in the
top of an old oak tree. Their voices got
octave lower. and then another and
finally all but Mr.. Foraker had to stop for
want of breath and more vocal depths
The Ohioan, however. made grand effort
and three more "Slighteds" weIled IN