which the nation pays those men to work--that is what that is. And it

pinches when a body's got a bill waiting."

"A waste of time, to purify the fountain of public law? Well, I never

heard anybody express an idea like that before. But if it were, it would

still be the fault of the minority, for the majority don't institute

these proceedings. There is where that minority becomes an obstruction

--but still one can't say it is on the wrong side.--Well, after they have

finished the bribery cases, they will take up cases of members who have

bought their seats with money. That will take another four weeks."

Very good; go on. You have accounted for two-thirds of the session."

Next they will try each other for various smaller irregularities, like

the sale of appointments to West Point cadetships, and that sort of

thing--mere trifling pocket-money enterprises that might better, be

passed over in silence, perhaps, but then one of our Congresses can never

rest easy till it has thoroughly purified itself of all blemishes--and

that is a thing to be applauded."

How long does it take to disinfect itself of these minor impurities?"

Well, about two weeks, generally."

So Congress always lies helpless in quarantine ten weeks of a session.

That's encouraging. Colonel, poor Laura will never get any benefit from

550

The Gilded Age