CAPITOL LETTERS

Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston may have wished he had skipped work on Thursday. First, as he walked to his desk in the Senate, he noticed something on his leather chair - a towel - and it appeared to be wet. It was. Then, he was instructed by Sen. Kim Brimer of Arlington, who was presiding over the Senate at the time, to "please take your seat." Realizing a prank was afoot, the Republican lawmaker walked away from his desk and out of the Senate chamber for a few minutes to conduct an interview.

It was all part of a Senate tradition of hazing a freshman senator on the day he brings his first piece of legislation to the floor. But the fun and games were not over for Mr. Patrick, who is a radio talk show host in Dallas and Houston when he is not attending to Senate duties. As his first bill came to the floor - a measure creating a recognition day for election volunteers - most of the senators and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst filed out of the chamber to temporarily boycott consideration of the legislation.

Mr. Patrick remained behind with three Democrats, who patiently listened to him explain his bill. "I couldn't possibly imagine why anyone would be against this bill," he said. As he talked about the proposal and waited for the rest of the Senate to return, he called on his long experience in radio. "I have learned in my life to fill time," he said with a smile. The hazing finally came to an end as senators walked back into the chamber, where they passed Mr. Patrick's bill unanimously.