Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1917-04-05
WASHINGTON LETTER
Experiences and Observations
By Ed@0rd L. Luck 0 81.

never is scarcity Of subjects for
comment, but time and circumstances
do not permit mei to write as fire.
quently nor as extensively as | some
times wish I might. The following
observations for today's letter:
The three retiring congressman
from Wisconsin-Hon. Michael E.
Burke of the second district, Michael
K. Reilly of the sixth district, and
Thomas F. Konop of the ninth district
have returned to their respective
homes since adjournment of the sixty
fourth congress. While the capitol is
not on the route which I cover from
day to day, occasional short visits are
made to the senate and house, and
naturally enough, at such times I try
to locate representatives of the home
state on the floor. AS rule there
are absentees, hence I could not avoid
observing the presence of these three
congressman from Wisconsin, espe-
cially when the more important meas
ures were being considered. It is an
easy matter for representative to be
"Out," if he cares to be, but callers
rarely failed to find this trio of Wis
consin representative in the house or
at their desks in the house office build
ing. Since these gentlemen have re-
turned to their law offices in the home
state and | have no intimation of their
even attempting to again enter a race
for political Office, my motive for this
brief complimentary reference cannot
be questioned I am simply express
ing a thought which has come to my
mind at intervals-that Representa-
tives Burke, Reilly and Konop we're
attentive to their duties at the nation
al capital.
Recently I witnessed a rather sig
nifcant event in one of the leading
hotels. 1t was simple ceremony in
which a number of prizes were award
ed to colOred servants in token of
length of service to their employers.
There were five principal prizes, and
the winners were all pure black. No
faint of suspicious white blood mani
tested itself in the countenances Of
the prize winners. In the proud hour
or their triumph these men and wom-
en- stood in the receiving line," and
they constituted the Exclusive set''
as they proudly faced a crowded room,
in which there were many of Wash
ington's best people. The counte-
nances of these colored people told
qualities of character,
industry and honesty.
Theresa Harper received the first
prize and diploma, her unusual rec
ord showing showing 81 years serv-
ice in the home of prominent Wash
ingtOn family. Theresa was brought
down town in an automobile to re-
ceive her prize, and she said it was
the first time she had been south of
the street On which she lived in forty
years. She is still able to sew, mend,
and do light work about the home in
which her entire life has been spent.
Regina Taylor received the Wash
lngton prize for having seen the long
est service under one mistress, the
length of time being 81 years. Regina
I10 Of fnsa
ess and Nubian .nobleman, and she
looks the part of one descended from
regal lineage. She speaks and writes
English and Spanish DIRECTLY.
Robert Allen received prize for
being the male servant with the long
est service under one master. He has
been in the residence of William NJ
Gait, one Of the family of Mrs. Wilson
by her first marriage, for 62 years.
At the close of the exercises I heard
his old "darkey" say, "Dis is what I
calls Gods blessin's."
There were numerous other prizes
rendered for service of more than
quarter of a century. One thousand
certificates were issued for faithful
service to colored people, who, by rea-
son of their long employment in diff
'erent households, had been entered
by their employers in the contest.
This interesting event was arrang-
ed by Mrs. J. Edison Briggs, chairman |;
Of the home economics committee of i
he Federation of Women's Clubs, who
is entitled to great credit for her in
effort. Congressman Ad-
1ison P. Smith Of Idaho, and Commits
sioner of immigration Cammenitti
made short addresses. The presenta-
ions were made by Mrs. John D. Pat
;en, prominent Washington woman,
who has four old and faithful servants
who have spent many years under her
'oof, and whom she describes as her
pest friends
hoop told boro IN