A SURE SIGN OF SPRING'S ARRIVAL IN THE U.S. SENATE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At the age of 63, Charles Thomas* of Colorado won a seat in the United States Senate after three previous failed attempts. When he appeared on the Senate floor in January 1913, his colleagues were impressed by his full head of hair.
Fast-forward to April of that same year, the Senator attempted to enter the Senate chamber but was denied access by the doorman who did not recognize him because he was bald. When it was learned that this man was indeed Mr. Thomas, Senator Hamilton Lewis** of Illinois rose to call this to the attention of his fellow lawmakers.
Thereafter, according to the United States Senate website, the first sign of Spring was the entrance of Senator Thomas into the Senate chamber without his toupee.
On May 12, 1920, the following line appeared in the New York Times...
"At 2 minutes past 12...noon today, Spring arrived in the Senate chamber (when) Senator Thomas of Colorado came in without his wig."
*Charles Spalding Thomas (1849-1934) was born in Darien, Georgia and served in the Georgia Militia & the Confederate army. CST received his LLB from the University of Michigan in 1871 & served as Governor of Colorado 1899-1901 & in the US Senate 1913-1921.
**James Hamilton Lewis (1863-1939) was born in Danville, VA, served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1897-1899, & the U.S. Senate 1913-1919 & 1931-1939. JHL was the 1st to hold the title of "Whip" in the US Senate.
SOURCE
"Spring Comes to the Senate, May 12, 1920," United States Senate, www.senate.gov/
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At the age of 63, Charles Thomas* of Colorado won a seat in the United States Senate after three previous failed attempts. When he appeared on the Senate floor in January 1913, his colleagues were impressed by his full head of hair.
Fast-forward to April of that same year, the Senator attempted to enter the Senate chamber but was denied access by the doorman who did not recognize him because he was bald. When it was learned that this man was indeed Mr. Thomas, Senator Hamilton Lewis** of Illinois rose to call this to the attention of his fellow lawmakers.
Thereafter, according to the United States Senate website, the first sign of Spring was the entrance of Senator Thomas into the Senate chamber without his toupee.
On May 12, 1920, the following line appeared in the New York Times...
"At 2 minutes past 12...noon today, Spring arrived in the Senate chamber (when) Senator Thomas of Colorado came in without his wig."
*Charles Spalding Thomas (1849-1934) was born in Darien, Georgia and served in the Georgia Militia & the Confederate army. CST received his LLB from the University of Michigan in 1871 & served as Governor of Colorado 1899-1901 & in the US Senate 1913-1921.
**James Hamilton Lewis (1863-1939) was born in Danville, VA, served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1897-1899, & the U.S. Senate 1913-1919 & 1931-1939. JHL was the 1st to hold the title of "Whip" in the US Senate.
SOURCE
"Spring Comes to the Senate, May 12, 1920," United States Senate, www.senate.gov/
Charles Spalding Thomas
Photo by Underwood & Underwood
Library of Congress Image
