Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-06
Up on Capitol Hill

Former Senator Stewart of Nevada is
one of the most familiar figures in the
Senate chamber these days. and has been
for a good many years past. Just what
he does there nobody seems to know
that is. besides his storytelling. He must
tell funny stories, because he is AWAY :
sitting down beside some senator ans
Whispering to him SO not to interrupt
the proceedings and then getting up ana
leaving his nearer convulsed with laugh
ter.
Indeed, Mr.. Stewart is a more familiar
figure around the Senate end of'the Can't
tol than most of the senators now in Of
nee He's almost as familiar as the
statue of Ben Franklin that never gets
tired looking up at the picture of Perry
on Lake Erie. And the eX-senator's tow
ering form. kindly face and long Santa
Claus beard are always welcome wherever
they go.
If Mr.. Stewart has one fault it is an
Sent-mindedness: or perhaps it is alb
Sorption in affairs that demand great con-
centration of thought. The other day he
was strolling through the corridor toward
the Senate chamber. head down on his
breast and hands in his pockets when a
very important looking man stepped up
beside him from behind.
Senator said the stranger may
present my card?"
1t was plain to several persons who were
passing that way at the moment that the
stranger sought to introduce himself i'm a
most courteous fashion to Mr. Stewart.
He held out his card in most deferential
manner.
Il never buy tickets grow'ed Mr.
Stewart, barely slancing up and never
stopping in his walk.
The dumfounded stranger hadn't the
nerve to follow him. but turned away in
despair.
The most forsaken spot in the Capitol
these days is the room of the Senate Dis
trict committee usually the most hospitable
and most frequented place on Capitol Hill
The empty chairs stare vacantly at the
closed roll-top desk. and the silent type
writers listen in vain for the merry voice
of some one who may caress them. All is
still. There is so much stiffness that it
hurts to try to listen to it.
Once in long time a messenger from
Commissioner Macfarland cautiously ones
the door and peeps in. Sadly he places his
bills and letters on the table beside a
detected looking Lone Individual. who as
sadly picks them up. goes out and locks
the door and disappears down the CORR
dor
After a while the Lone Individual comes
back and takes up his lonely watch once
more. 1t almost makes one weep 10 look
at his downcast face.
Senator Gallinger is not there Clerk
WalkeH is not there. Nobody is there
except the Lone Individual before men
toned. Even the pretty, smiling face of
the typewritist was not there Yesterday
when The Star man wandered in. Thai
was the last blow. He might have been
able 10 put up with the absence of news
but that was too much for any one to
stand.
And the reason for all this loneliness .
Senator Gallinger has gone home TO get
reelected. The legislature of New Hamp-
shire conveneS tomorrow. and will begin
TO ballot for United States Senator about
the 10Th or 10Th of this month. Not that
Mr.. Gallinger runs any chance of getting
defea ted he simply wants to be there in
Concord and see how it's done The new
governor is to be inaugnra ted. too and he
wants to be there for that. So does Clerk
Walker
So there YOU are! What's the use of any
body else staying here when those two are
gone? That's what the Lone Individual
thinks. bat still he stays on and on
When the chairman comes back in two
or three weeks with another siX-year
term in his pocket, there will be rejoicing
indeed. Once more the citizens OF the
District will have a place 10 come and
tell their troubles. They won't have to
stop and tell them TO the nearest police
man. Once more the dropping heart will
know where to seek refreshment For
will not the chairman again be accessible
behind his big mahogany desk, and will
not the smiling clerk be ready with an
other story that is good for laugh that
Will last into next week?
Were it not for this picture of the future
many citizens of the District would h.
sad indeed. The Lone Individual would
be sad. too-that is to say. much saddeF
than he is now. which is saying a good