New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-02
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOX JUNE 2. l9l2


stop-gap between European Capitals and
the Great commercial CcntcrS OF the West.
The new Representative and his family,
therefore. if their fortune is moderate, find
themselves between the millionaire colony
ON one side. called the smart set" and the
old residential society on the other, known
as the "cavc jewellers, neither OF which has
any particular interest IN the newcomer.
This has thrown the political element back
upon itself, and it forms an agreeable and
distinctive circle. This has resulted in the
formation Of the Congressional Club,
woman's club, Of which Miss Helen Cannon,
daughter Of former Speaker Cannon, was
first president. In this club there are many
women. wives Of Representatives and Sena-
tors, who have an important social position
in Washington, and through this organiza-
ton the wives Of newcomers are hospitality
received, and find a circle OF acquaintance
who soon make them feel at home. There
is no similar club for Senators and Repre-
scntativcs: but the Senate and House have
many characteristics OF club, and no man
need ever want for friends or company Il nc
belongs to either House.
THERE are two classes Of Representa-
l. ,ivcs. however, who never evolve any
thing. one is the scimadc man, who has
acquired great fortune, and fought his way
through life by kicking Others out OF ms
Dath. These men come to Congress WIN
the combativc instinct highly developed.
They are met by a solid wall OF custom ana
experience. against which they may dash
their heads in vain. These men are admins
traitors. and can never be converted INTO
LEGISLATORS. They are in general laWlcSN'
both bv nature and 10y ignorance OF law.
one term generally sufhccs for man OF TINS
tyne. He comes to Congress bent on accom-
plishing certain things by the only method
he knows. which is that OF the steam roller.
He finds a steam roller three hundred ana
ninety times bigger than his own. winch
rolls over him ana his ambitions ana pull
ycrizcs them. He is naturally lniuratcd,
calls Congress rcaCtionary, declares mat
reforms are not encouraged, and either
throws up his Job or IS pitched over the
ropes at the next election.
The second unsuccessful type Is the lad
dist. who comes to Congress tor the purpose
Of Transforming his fads into legislation. lie
!, ANNOYED and chagrincd to find that, al
though he NAV talk Of his schemes declare
his plans in newspaper interviews, ana Oh,
tain leave to print" in the Congressional
Record. and have II distributed broadcast,
he never gets anything enacted into law,
Their, !, one Socialist in the SXty-Sccond
CONGRESS. and he made his debut by nitro
ducinc bill to make it easy to change the
Constitution Of the United States. That IN
mcdiatclv settled him. Men who are cXpe--
ricnccd in national legislation have found
out that it is more than doubtful whether the
Constitution Of the United States can ever
be amended again, and that the last two
amendments. the fourteenth and the III
tccnth. are dead letters
II j, one Of the stock jokes OF Congress,
What is the Constitution between friends,
Thcoriginof hccxprcssion was: New ! orK
REPRESENTATIVE Of the steam roller variety
mentioned to a colleague piece OF Legislation
he was determined to put through. Ills
colleague. an experienced REPRESENTATIVE
mildly replied, at is in violation Of the Con-
stjtution.% To which the steam roller Repre-
sentative Indignantly replied, "Whats the
Constitution between friends;
II has often been alleged that there are
too many LAWYERS in Congress; but 1t has
1900, ...,,,,l Nv actual cyrtricnCc that LAWYERS