Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 April 1882 — Congressmen’s Kids. [ARTICLE]

Congressmen’s Kids.

Loking down from the renorters’ gallery of the house the wiefder of the quill now and then has an opportunity of witnessing some very funny sights, and like the man in the tree, makes mental comment and says nothing. It often comes under his notice that congressmen have children, though why they should have is a mystery, and that some of the children are very good, and that some are very, very bad, exact counterparts of their fathers, as it were. In this connection it is not out of place to say a word or two of the children that frequently grace the floor of the presen house. To start with, there are congressman Belford’s boys, a pair of fiery, red-headed cherubs. There is no mistake as to whose boys they are, for their “top-knots” pronounce them vertible chips of the old block. Those little laas come up to the house quite often. They are each about two feet high and very bright. Whether the father is present or not, they are by no means disconcerted, and scramble over the desks and make themselves at home, and are favorites with even the gravest statesmen. “Belford’s boys” are frequently the envy of the most juvenile of the pages, because they are such pets. Such members who have red hair are most consider ate of this pair. Should a gouty member drop in some morning and anchor himself on a bent pin, “Belford’s boys” are held responsible. Should another find his ink well filled with water, they are blamed, and so it happens that many boyish pranks of which members are victims are credited to these boys, however innocent they may be. Leopold Morse has a couple of 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 occasion they have caused the heart of paterfamilas to quake with alarm as they approached and asked some sturdy representative point-blank questions, or when they rolled spittoons over the floor or drew pictures with, chalk 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 most favored children of the congressional group are the bright-eyed, fair-haired boys of Congressman Skinner. The pretty mannersand charming prattle made them popular with everyone connected with the hohse. They can climb over desks and all that sort of thing, but unlike the majority of children of their ages are not boisterous or inclined to precociousness. Mr. Skinner is proud of them, and when the house is in session and he can sit behind his desk with one on each knee, he seems the happiest man in Congress. Congressman Hammond, of NewYork, has a fine little son, who always makes friepds, and when he stands around the floor he is dignified and polite, and shakes hands and chats brightly with the members on all sides. He is a friend of Belford’s boys, and when these little chaps get together it is a pleasant picture to watch their many pranks. Two of the brightest children are the daughters of Congressman Mills and Dingley. They are handsome girls and always prettily dressed. Little Miss Mills is an especial favorite with Joe Blackburn, who takes particular pride in teasing her with reference to her father’s political status. Mr. Mills is a Greenbacker, but Blackburn, when talking to the little miss, always speaks of him as a Republican, at which the little girl fires up with indignation, and with ail the language her baby lips can command, rebukes Mr. Blackburn fiercely,a fact which pleases the latter immensely, and always attracts a group of statesmen about them. Congressman Valentine’s boy is another who is a favorite in congress, and is a friend of master Harry Smith son of the journal clerk. These little chaps are bright and handsome and full of vigor, and complete the list of as fine a body of youngsters as ever adorned a congress.

The Kentucky house has passed a bill to prevent extortion and discrimination in railroad transportation of passengers and freights. It is stated that Senator Hawley is opposing the confirmation of 8. P. Rounds as public printer.