Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1882 — CONGRESSMEN’S KIDS. [ARTICLE]

CONGRESSMEN’S KIDS.

How The Youngsters Make Thiaga Lively in the HouseLooking down from the reporters’ gallery of the house the wielder of the quill now and then has an opportunity of witnessing some very tunny sights, and like a man up a tree, makes mental comments and says nothing. It often comes under his notice that congressman have chil dren, though why they should have is a mystery, and that some of the children are very good, and that some are very pretty, and that others are very ugly and very, very bad, exact counterparts of their fathers, as It were. In this connection it is not out of place to say a word of two of the childeren that frequently grape the floor of the present house. To start with, tbpre is Congress? man Belford’s boys, a pair of fiery red-heaaed cherubs. There is no mistake as to whose boys they aie. for their “top-knots” pronounce thepx veritable chips of the old block. These little lads come up tg the hoqsg quite oftpn. They are eaeh about two feet high and very bright. Whether the father is present or not they are by no means discontented, and scramble over the desks and rqake themselves at home, and are favorites with even the graveststates men. “Belford’s boys’ ate frequent* ly the envy of the most juvenile of the pages, because they are sucn pets. Buch members as have red hair are mostly considerate of this pair. Should a gouty metofeer drop in some morning and anchor himself Ou a bent pin, “Bp ford’s boys” are held responsible. Shqqld another find his ink-well filled with water, “Belford’s boys” are blamed, and so it happens that many boyish pranks of which members are victims are credited to “Belford’s boys" however innocent they ffiay be, Leopold Morse has a pair cf bright little lads who often visit the house, They are mischievous, as their venerable papa used to be, perhaps, but more daring, On more than one oc casion they have caused the heart of pater fanilais to quake with alarm as they approached and asked acme sturdy representative point blank questions, or when they rolled spits toons over the floor, or drew pictures with ehalk on members desks. Morse is proud of his heirs, but he can’t manage them, and the little fellows make it lively enough for him sometimes.

The prettiest and moat favored childeren of the congressional group are the bright-eyed, fair haired boy and girl of Congressman Skinner. Their pretty manner! and charming prattle has made them popular with everyone connected with the nouse. They can climb over desks and all that sort of things, but unlike the majority of chhdr n of their ages are not boisterous or inolined to precoo iousness. Mr. Skinner is proud of them, and when the house is in ses sion, and he can sit behind bis desk with one on each knee, he seems the happiest mil in congress. Congressman Hammond, of N Y. has a fine little sod, who always makes friends, and when he stands around the floor he is dignified and polite, and shakes hands and cnats brightly with members on all sides. He's a friend of Belford's boys, and when these little chaps are together it is a pleasant picture to watoh their many pranks. Two of the brightest children are the daughters of Congressman Mills and Dingley. They are hand some girls and always prettily dressed. Little Miss Mills is an especial fa vori'e with Joe Blackburn, who takes peculiar pride pleasing her in reference to her father's political status. Mr. Mills is a greenbacker, but Blackburn, when talking w|th the lit* | tie miss, always speaks of him as • 1 republican, at which the little girl I

fins up with indignation, and with all * the language ber baby lipa can com. mand, rebukes Mr. Blackburn fiercely a fact which pleases the latter im* and alwaysattnota agroop O' state Maa uto«: ths two. Congressman Valentine’* boy Io another who is a favorite in congress, aad lea friend of master Harry Smith* son of the journal clerk. These little chaps are blight, hand’ some, and full of vigor, and complete the list of aaflne body of youigeteis a* ever adorned a congress.—Was - ington Critic. It will be remembered that some time ago charges were preferred against Senator Ingalls, of Kansas, decaring that he obtained his seat in tbe United States Senate by fraud, bribery and corruption generally. The testimony was of the most dnmaging character, but Mr. Ingalls, like Kellogg, managed to retain bid seat, and now the Senate has given Mr. Ingalls SB,OOO far alleged expenses incurred by him in refuting the charges of bribery, etc. Tho United States Senate is pro bally tho most profligate legislative body In the world.