Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-15

Events ~ the national Capital
In some quarters the impression prevails
that the congress embraces the rlpest,
sharpest and smoothest intellects this
country produces. Dissent from this propo-
sition usually is put down as the prompt
ings of envy or partisanship. Not only
are they supposed to be next to every
game, from politics to poker, but thor
oughly versed in the characteristics Of the
fakir. As there are exceptions to every
rule, so with congressman. They do not
always loom up to current ideals. Even
those who are born great and come into
their own occasionally come off the
pedestal and exhibit some OF the faiings
Of common mortals. But, making all allow
ances. no admirer is ready to believe, with
out convincing evidence, that they are
easy marks for bunko artists OF the colored
persuasion. The discovery is painful, the
evidence equally ~saddening. Read the de-
tails and weep.
An impressive-looking negro approached
Congressman Murdoch of Kansas.
I'm Bishop de GTaffenreid-Forest Of
your district. I've met you many times
I'm sure you will remember me-" said the
visitor.
mo, l don't. And you didn't know me
when you came in. But never mind, what
is IT."
Mr.. Murdoch" the bishop said, I'm
In a powerful lot OF trouble, My son, who
has been to school in Virginia, was in
jured in a ball game last month and he's
just died. / am removing the body to
Kansas, and 1 find l lack just $500 Of the
amount necessary for the trip. 1 am ap-
pealing to you as my congressman to &C
IT n nunnaat mo vs1fI thtg apNon ettun until
1 reach home. Then I will pay you back,
and IL you don't help me I'll have to leave
the body here on your hands"
You're trying to bunko me-" said the
suspicious Murdoch. But he was ashamed
of himself the next minute when he saw
the look of pain come over the open coun-
tenance of the visitor and reached for his
check book.
Make it an even ten, Mr.. Murdoch, and
the Lord bless you,' the bishop ventured.
That was the last Murdock thought of
the matter until he was lunching in the
house restaurant. Then he caught a snatch
of conversation from an adjoining table.
Needed just S4 to get his sons body
home,' Congressman Gardner of New Jer-
sey was saying. Il thought it was a bunko
game, but didn't want to take chances on
having a body consigned to my hotel, so 1
iSN hlih haNS Nv hlOhcg
Murdoch grew red about the ears. Then
he picked up his hat and started out. In
the corridor he met Congressman Currier
of New Hampshire.
'Currier," he said, did you ever hap
pen to hear of a negro bishop who needed
money to get his sons body"
"Sh," Currier interrupted. Don't say a
word. He got me for $50"
Plain, common, everyday lemonade made
with simple hydrRnt water, noncaTbonated
and uncolored by pink or other dyes, cost
the United States senate $401.S6 for the last
twenty-four days OF June and SIS. Is for the
first eight days of July. II the lemonade
had been pinked or fixed the expense
would have been much more.
June 4 the weather warmed up quite a
hit and several senator's bounced on the
sergeant-at-arms, demanding that they be
supplied with lemonade. as is the usual
!. custom whenever the hot days string
along. The beverage was cooked up in
r the storeroom and carried in big tin
- buckets to the republican and democratic
cloakrooms. There was\ no limit on its
. use.
e During June the mixers used slxtyefour
e cases of lemons, costing from $3.50 to IS a
4 case and containing from 800 to $50 lemons
C each. The value of the lemons was 1912. rs.
Sc, en- barrels OF sugar were mixed in to
. make the lemonade sweet. The seven bar
rels contained 2,512 pounds and cost s12s. II.
=, The total for June was $4O1.S6.
During the first eight days OF July
twelve cases Of lemons were used and two
I barrels Of sugar, bringing the aggregate
l. expense up to $Ss2S The total cost of
:, furnishing lemonade to the senate was
:490.14,
Last year the senate used lemonade made
o with charged" water, and the expense
e was Just double that of the same beverage
n made with plain water. The lemonade
Y bills heretofore have nearly reached $1,000
a month.
During the past few weeks there were
several days when the temperature OF
- A. ,o,ot. okap,bar th,St have haau AZ