Evening star., 1928-04-29
Capital Sidelights

DeTH OF congress WllS lliuStTdteU WHeH
Representative Martin B. Madden oi
Illinois, chairman of the House appro-
priations committee, died on Friday In
the arms of Representative Elliott w
Sproul, also of Illinois. They were
called the Damon and Pythias" Of the
House, almost constantly together about
the Capitol and spending NEST OF
their evenings together Representative
Sproul has frequently been outspoker
In his admiration of Mr.. Madden and
the latters public service.
Both worked their way up as busi-
ness friends. When Mr.. Sproul got his
first Job as building contractor, Mr.
Madden trusted him for material, re-
| fusing note and saying that he was
good judge of men and character
and knew he was taking no chances
Thereafter Mr.. Sproul would buy nC
from Mr.. Madden.
Mr.. Madden started working as O
boy in q stone quarry. and knew the
rugged side Of life. For many years
he was the particular friend and advo-
cate In Congress for the postal workers
and on one occasion when he returned
to Chicago they unhitched the horse:
from his carriage and drew him tri-
umphantly through the city.
~
Representative Dick Elliott Of In
diana Is one member Of the Arlington
Memorial Bridge Commission who takes
that Job seriously, and makes regular
re - fSNG VA ~ hA
work on that structure. Last week he
visited the workmen on his 55th BIRTH
day anniversary, and they gave him a
birthday party on board the dredgeboat
on which they live. with Col. Grant and
Maj. Joseph C. MehafTey. who Is in
charge of construction, as special guests.
Representative Elliott was taken ouI
to the dredgeboat on launch, which
he noticed was named the Fernald. On
inquiry he found this was named for the
late Senator Fernald of Maine, whC
also used to visit the work and who
made many friends among the dredg-
ing crew.
Congress, In it's prosaic work of legis-
lating farm relief, tariff and othel
routine business, sometimes pauses fol
poetic tribute. Several weeks ago the
Senate interrupted proceedings ito pay
deserved homage to the worlds best
beloved poet--Longfellow Last weeh
1t made similar recognition Of the birth.
day of two other poets-Shakespeare
recognized as the worlds greatest
poet" and Edwin Markham, "one OF the
worlds greatest living poets" Two oi
Hoe" and Lincoln, the Man Of tht
People" were printed in the officia
organ of Congress. the Congressional
Record.
The revised version of Lincoln, the
Man of the People" was chosen out OF
$50 Lincoln poems by the committee
headed by Chief Justice Taft. to be read
at the dedication OF the Lincoln
Memorial In 1922, when It was heard
by 100000 listeners on the ground and
more than 100000 over the radio
President Harding delivered the address
on that occasion. THE Man With the
Hoe" was written after seeing Millet's
world-famous painting OF brutalized
toiler.
Inquiry has been made as to when
and by whom a speech on "The
Thoroughbred" was made in Congress
A tribute to THE Thoroughbred" con-
trasted with The Scrub" copyrighted
by Judge v. Fl. Stone Of Wyoming was
included by Senator Cole Blease OF
South Carolina In his extension OF re-
marks on The Federal Farm Loan
System" In the Congressional Record OF
April 10.
In the cloakrooms of Congress there
Is q jolly little game in progress. the
various members searching for unusual
words to spring upon their colleagues
One OF the words recently dragged
across the Mason and Dixon line for
erudition of Northern statesmen is
'osnaburg." Only a small percentage
OF the Southern members were able to
interpret this word. It Is a stout cot
ton fabric Of artistic qualities which is
coming into popular use for portieres,
window draperies and other household
furnishings.
The House paused the other day in
its legislative rush to pay tribute to
veteran colored employe. Aaron Rus
sell, who had served faithfully In a
humble capacity for So years. Chair
man MacGregor of the committee on
accounts included with his own tribute
those Of Rev. HALEY B. Taylor, ID. D.
pastor Of the Fifteenth Street Presby-
terian Church. where Mr. Russell had
worshiped for So years, and OF William
Tyler Page. clerk OF the House. who
had worked with MIR. Russell for 46
years. Summarizing Mr.. Russell'S
service TO Congress. Representative
MacGregor said:
Aaron Russell entered the service OF
1Nt gRf RkR
December /, 1861. and with the excep-
ton of eight years. from 1911 to 1919.
served continuously, q total service Of
Sa years. He died at the age of 81
years. 1t is testified by those who
knew him that he was man Of Splen-
did character and faithful In all things.
Russell upon meager salary raised a
large family and educated and fitted
them for professional and other service.
He was prominent In the work of his
church, In which he was devoted
leader and was active In civic affairs
among colored people who esteemed
him highly. During his long service
here In the House he became well In
formed. and his acquaintanceship EN-
braced statesmen OF the stirring days of
the Civil War. of the reconstruction
period and of later years Among his
personal friends. who found I'm Russell
dependable and conscientious public
servant, were Thaddeus Stevens. James
q. Blaine. Thomas b. Reed, Samuel J.
Randall. John q, Carlisle Joseph q.
Cannon and many others. His par
ticula; friend and benefactor was the
late Edward Mcpherson, prominent as
a member Of the House. and for many
years clerk Of the House. In his once
Aaron Russell was clerk, having won
successive promotions from his original
position as a laborer."