Evening Star Newspaper, April 10, 1897, Page 13

= THE EVENING STAR. I ae PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, - 1101 Pennsylysaia Avenue, Cor. llth Bt, by The ironing Star Newspaper Company, y te S. H. SAUFFYMANN, Pres’ New York Office, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Ex r ig served te subscribers in the rs, on thelr own xccount, at 10 cents . or 44 cents per month. Copies at the nts each. By mall—anywhere in the Tanada— postage prepaid—30 cents. nin a Quintupte She t Star, $1 per year, with $3.00. at Washingtoa, D. ©., r.) # must be pald in advane:. Je known on applicatio: Part2. Che Evening Slav. Pages 13-24. — WASHINGTON, D. 0, SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1897-TWENTY-FOUR PA ntntntetetetetoeteintete | ¢ Sot “ % Mayer Bros. & Co., z $ 2 nee ition test $Bicycle Suit Bargains, $5.49. today Doeeiny ered Sedontontontontortergor Cloth Sats, stylish and ket and di- all-leather and purse, ol Covert Cloth Be ing of fy iv isti et jacket and d the in its ma; who is bent ni- People our Wa pl ‘Thin: but ers are hint very very un- said and the Waists, five tables samples only in our ry filled with W: Sontonsensonlontengontontonsentondontententonontoscensontontontoetontontontoetentontentontonseavontonsoatonsorfonfontentoe sont percaline colorings any c e where at = z me $Silk $ : ¢Most Complete Millinery - in the cit he rep a Black India Silk d stock collar, full + couldn't have’ sold a Sonfongonzestontonfeatontentensonreatentonfonlontonten at's Se oteortontortontentonte teen in all i, with : 98c. 39e. hoes Panama th $2. For. Glove Dept. Rm see Sedet = es @ 3 | sete Bros.& Co., “4 Re Salt Remove and } STORAGE i STORAGE } Largest Quarters—3oo rooms. 4 $1 to $10 a month Best Storage 4 Most Central Location. 1 Best yet Padded Vans For Moving. Is packed and ehipped to all points. nm d4 Al —lowest prices. K K 4 ts’ Parcel Deliv=4 an i ery Co., M * "Phone 6539. 929-931 D st. n.w.?4 { Steam Elevators. | Your Easter Gown; mes From The Tailor’s your first visit in it to us. We to make your photos—because we know we can do just you—and your gown, w make that you'll willingly LEARNING THE ROPE ne Problems That Confront the New ‘Member of the House. ON BOARD THE OF State Once in a While Some Curious Breaks Are Made. RAW HANDS IN THE CREW Written for The Evening Star. The new congressman is just learn- ing his status in the House. He ts not yet entirely aware of his status outside. He still pays five cents fare on the cable cars. He has not yet found cut that he can get six tickets for a quarter. He has finally ascertained that it costs money to live at a hotel, and he has sought the comforts of a family board- ing house. He has found his way to the only variety show in the city, but has not yet been seen at the Smithsonian Institu- tion. If a supporter of the administration he has learned the pathway to the White House, but he has not yet mastered the labyrinthian intricacies of the State, War and Navy and Treasury buildings. If from a rural district he is astonished to learn that his predecessor has drawn his quota of seeds, and that there are none to be ob- tained at the Department of Agriculture The new member from the Saqueejee dis- trict called on the Secretary of Agriculture the other day. He wanted his quota of mushroom seed. When informed that the mushroom was propagated from spawn and not from seed, he asked if the Secretary took him for an idiot. An older member as- sured him that the Secretary. was right, and sent him to the fish commissioner fcr the spawn. The new member finds mnch difficulty in keeping out of the way of wheelmen, and more in avoiding the negro nack drivers at the rounded corners of the streets. The Washington monument still fills him with awe, and the exquisite beauty of the new Library building charms him beyond de- scription. In the Maze. The fledgling member appeared at the Capitol early in February. The more he saw of legislation the less he learned about it. The ways seemed devious, and he was undble to understand why some members sumed the right to talk whenever the pleased, while others were unable to se- cure the floor at any time. The scenes that followed the reading of the journal awak- ened his interest. When fifty members hronged te arena in front of the Speak- e@® desk, waving printed bills and resolu- tions, and shouting “Mr. Speaker,” the din to him was deafening. On fo theory could he explain recognitions, and it was not until some stentcrian voice demanded “the regular order” that the puzzle was solved. I by the hot disputes over appro- priation bills, he found the cloak room a quiet retreat. There the story tellers abounded. Seated by the cozy grate, he irew inspiration from the north and’ the south, the east and the west. Introductions were numerous, and he formed acquaint- ances that may prove of value in the pre: ent Congress. Statesmen of national repu- tation made him feel perfectly at home and more than satisfied with himself, and made remarks that convinced him that they were far more human than divine. Now that the extra session of his own ngress has begun, he still finds that everything is new to him—even the Capitol itself. He takes the elevator in preference to the stairway, for the latter may mis- lead him. The’ document and sta-ionery rooms elude him when in search of bills and pads, and he frequently misses his way when looking for the restaurant and its concomitants, or seeking an exit from the building. It is only by following the beaten track that he can reach the main entrance of the House. Months will elapso before every byway and passage in the immense structure becomes familiar. Even then he may at times require the assistance of a guide. But it will take him a longer time to master the rules of the House. Patient- iy has he listened to debate on the Dingley bill, and ardently has he conned the speeches in an effort to glean new ideas. He has failed because there are no new ideas to glean. The legislative husband- men have been threshing straw that has been threshed since the foundation. of the government. As yet he is not conversant with committee work. The committees have not been named, and the assignments have not been allottec. When made, he will find that committee work is fully as intricate as the work of the House. Quor- ums are counted with much more facility and motions to reconsider and table are not inal. The New Faces. It has been said that there are 148 new members in the present House. This is not. correct. The number of members who have never before served in Congress is exactly 131. The fledglings are a picturesque lot. Some of the finest American faces come from the west and southwest. There are countenances from the commercial districts of the east that recall the banks of the Rio Grande, the sands of the Platte, and the mining camps of the: Coeur d'Alene. Per contra, the populists are not wild-eyed nor anarchist in appearance. Many of them look like railroad magnates and eastern bankers. They appear like men of earnest convictions, and not like politicians. Of course, a dozen or more quaint char- acters have sifted themselves into the new Congress. One appeared in the restaurant the other day and asked for a plug of to- bacce. He got it and coolly laid a cent upon the showcase. The clerk looked at the cent and then at the man, who wore a big diamond, soiled linen and a parachute sombrero. “That is a cent,” the clerk remarked. “Yes,” was the reply, “that’s so; it is a cent. I never saw one of them until I came to Washington. We don’t have them where I come from.’ He pushed the cent contemptuously on the floor, laid down a nickel and strode away in majestic dignity. Take it all in all, however, the new mem- ber will have pleasant sailing in the extra session. He escapes many annoyances that the old member cannot escape. Strangers will not bother him, because he has no na- tional fame. Washingtonians will not im- portune him until he becomes a member of the committee on library or on the District of Columbia. He will have time to attend to the requests of his constituents. The passage of the appropriation bills prior to the consideration of the tariff bill has practically closed the business of the session. With the opening of spring he will have plenty of time to enjoy the environs of the city. Most new members fancy that they must obtain leave of absence when they remain away from the Capitol. This was the case with the writer ten years aga. Gen. John H. Ketchum, then, as now, & member of the House, heard the request for leave read from the desk. Approaching the new congressman and pinning his arm around his neck he said: ‘Don’t do that; there 13 no necessity for it. When you want to go home, go, and say nothing. You won't be missed.” Falling Into the Ways. The same feeling exists today. An ex- member of a state legislature astonished me the other day by saying that he did not like to leave the House, for fear the Speaker miglit notice his absence. Gradually and gracefully the ncw mem- ber 1s falling into the ways of the old | member. His eye is lighted with anticipa- tion when he looks at the portraits of the Speakers in 1¢ lobby and great thoughts enter his head. Many are already employ- ed at their desks in writing letters during | the sessions of the House. Others read newspapers and stretch and yawn when long-vinded speeches are Snflicted upon | them. A few gaze at the pretty faces in the galleries, and assume positions more esmanlike than statuesque. At times one ventures to address the Speaker, but he is rarely recognized unless he ias made an arrangement fer recognition through some experienced friend. No one has as yet dared to pass a bill. One new member recently astonished the Speaker by de- manding to huve his vote recorded when Gen. Henderson moved the previous ques tion on the adoption of the old rules. Un- der parliamentary law the Speaker could not refuse to record his vote, although he failed to answer to his name when it was called. This vote made a tie. Old members of the House laughed at the persistency of the new member, but it forced the Gen- eral to call for the yeas and nays and de- layed the House forty minutes. In the last Congress Mr. Crowther of Missouri, a new member, early in the ses- sion asked unanimous consent for the House to consider a bill. He got it, and with a slight explanation, passed his Dill. It was not until after the bill was pa sed that it was learned it had never been con- sidered in any committee. Messrs. Dock- ery and Sayers, and even the sedate Mr. Dingley, were utterly astounded. The pas- sage of a bill under such circumstances was unprecedented. Crowther, with a cyni- cal smile, trotted over to the other wing of the Capitol to clinch the matter by ac- ticn in the Senate. His friends claim that the success of the movement was due to his ingenuity, but the old members seem to think that it was jue to his lack of knowledge of the rules of the House. AMOS J. CUMMINGS. The Trying Duties of the Secretary to the President. NO WONDER HE NEEDED A REST Yet He Has Kept His Good Nature Through It All. A BUFFER FOR HIS CHIEF —_>___. When Secretary Porter. began his official duties at the White House he told the news Paper men who called on him for informa- tion concerning the President's doings and purposes that he had ‘a favor to ask of them. It was simply that they should not quote him in any case as the source of their information. He said he would see them at any time and gladly give them all proper information concerning the business of the executive, and the only condition he imposed in return was that they should not vse his name in their reports. This ar- rangement was entirely agreeable to the newspaper men, and it has been faithfully observed. So far as the press is concerned, Secretary Porter is the mouthplece ef the President, and upon him devolves the im- Portant responsibility of acquainting the public—through the ageucy of the press— with the action of the President on all af- fairs of state. He supplies the Associated Press, the local newsmen ani the special correspondents with lists of nominations and copies of proclamations and executive | crders, and answers all inquiries on public | matters—more or less fully—according to their nature. While following the rule adopted by his predecessors of refusing to indicate the prospects of candidates for office or the probable action of the President on a sub- ject under consideration, he is much more liberal in his discussion of such matters with newspaper men and other persons having more individual interests than any of the distinguished gentlemen who have held the same office within the recollec- tion of the veterans who, still have busi- | ness at the White House. Secretary Porter is more frank and out- spoken in discussing public affairs with newspaper men than most officials, and there is no likelihood that he will find h | confidence misplaced. This may seem strange to some people, but will be freely indorsed by all public men who hav adopted a similar course with their friends of the press. Being a newspaper man him- self, Mr. Porter knows that when the mem- bers of that profession are put on their honor they can be safely trusted with the most important secrets of state. Conse- quently when In the course of a conversa- tion as to the status and prospects of a pending question he mentions details that are not yet ripe for public disclosure, he has but to request their suppression for | the time being to feel satisfied that his wishes will be respected, Following the broad view of the Prestdent that the pub- llc Is entitled toa complete knowledge of the official acts of the chief executive, Sec- retary Porter has arranged a complete system of disseminating the news to the press. In addition tg-jopening the usual channels of communication: he stands ready to furnish in a personal interview if nec sary such further particulars as may be desired, provided always, however, that his name does not appear in the transac- tion. Before assuming his office Mr. Porter the end. ians, Thibets, daintiest you've bad taken. are th EF New styles and TINTS"—$4 dozen up. W. H. Stalee, 1107 F St. Successor to M. B. BRADY. apo-16a sizes in “MEZZO Frock Coat and Vest. A SERMON ON CGLOTIUES. One reason a man clings to ‘‘cheap’’ ready-made clothes is because he thinks he can’t afford to pay a tailor’s prices. That’s a mistaken idea—for the cheap sort cost more in One of our suits will outlast two or three poor ones—and the yearly clothes bill is lessened considerably. Our garments have individual style—fit perfectly—are made from exclusive effects—and in the newest styles—all of which are sadly missing from clothes that cost less. To get you acquainted with our tailoring we offer an attractive line.of New Spring All-wool Suitings, in the newest and most stylish effects of the season, at the Popular prices, $18 and $20 Let us take your measure Monday. Lamb’s Wool, etc., The proper style for morning dress occasions is the For $40 and $50. we are showing a magnificent line of unfinished Worsteds, Vicunas, Mongol= in Black and Oxford Mixtures, fresh from across the sea. Come and see them. ~ G. Warfield Simpson, Expert Tailor, 1208 F St. © QOSSSOSCOSCHSSSOS OSC 00090 @ PAOSSSOSIOOES © SOSESS9 SE consulted with Mr. Lamont and Mr. Thr r- ber in regard to its duties and the i st methods of performance as shown by ‘ucir experience. AS a consequence, he knew he nad a hard tusk before him, but his e: perience during his brief official career, has shown the reality to be far in exeess of his most extreme anticipations. He w prepared for a siege of hard work, but 3 come upon him with a pressure proving a supreme test of his power patience and endurance, and ke was much, if not more, in need of the brie! respite he enjoyed this week than was the President himself. It tion that outside of Pr no man in the country ha! ous and labcrious duties the 4th of March than has Seeré ter. He has found time to eat three quick and to snatch a few hours’ , but the rest of the time he ad pep at night 2s experienced a s of the hardest kind of work physical. Nothing but his strong co tion and his temperate habits has en- abled him to stand the ordeal, and there were suggestions in his face and mi just before hi with the President verge of a possible collapse. and frequently irritating importuniti office seekers, to whom at first he ¢ an attentive hearing, finally began to w on him, until at last, in utter despair of showing an interest in the constant re! eration of the same old story over and over again, he felt impelled to tell many of the most flagrant offenders who were at his elbow day after day that their pa- pers would receive thorough consideration by the President, and that it was per- fectly useless for them to make any fur- ther representations to him. Not only were these personal appeals irksome to lsten to, but they tired him out physically by ke@ping him on h almost constantiy during the entire day. Whenever he had an vpportunity, and it did not come often, he would throw him- self into a chair with a sish of relief and take a few minute: rest. On suca occa- sions his menner showed that he was near- ly exhausted. Latterly it has also been ob- served that he listens to the spoilsmen who attack him from all sides wi cided lack of interest, and az seems So preoccupied that the chances he hears very little of the c red ches that are being nto his ear. He braces u; iowever, by the titme the speaker through, and tells him briefly ana conci the status of the mutter under consider: tion, and the best course for him sue, which is generally to tile h or to go and see some other E has tried to be patient and considera everybody who has called on him, no mat- ter how frivolous or futile his ‘busin and with great success so far. He ha done his best to lighten the President burdens and to give satisfaction to every- Lody having business with him, and that he has passed through the trymz ordeal cf the past five weeks without naving, so far as known, displeased anybody, is an ex- cellent augury of a successful administra- tion of one of the most trying offices under the government. With No Variety. There has been very little variety in Sec- retary Porter’s life in the White House, and not a single moment of leisure up to the time he went away on the excursion with the President and Mrs. McKinley last Wednesday. Ever since the 4th of March he has had an unceasing diurnal round of toil, and if he has any chosen pleasures or ways of relaxation he has not yet had an opportunity of developing them to the de lectation of the Washington public. Ordi- narily he is a thorough family man of strictly domestic tendencies, but he has had smal! chance of cultivating these com- mendable traits of character since his re- cent entrance upon an exceedingly active public career. His charming wife and bright children have established them- selves comfortably in the fine dwelling at 1623 K street, formerly occupied by ex-. Secretary Hoke Smith, but Mr. Porter can hardly call it his home as yet. He takes his meals there and spends a few hours in sleep there, but nearly all his waking hours are passed at the White House, listening to the dreary tales of disappointed appli- cants for office and assisting the President in_the manifold duties of his office. Secretary Porter is simple in his tastes and abstemious in his regimen. If he rides a hobby or has any pet fad it has eo far escaped the notice of those who have come in daily contact with him since his advent in official life in Washington. He and ev- erybody who has been associated with him have been so busy that a Star reporter as- refully pr solemnly is signed to the duty found it extremely diffi- cult to get even the barest outline of his Either from choice or daily official life. necessi' eady, continuous grind | GES. A TEST OF PATIENCE eseoeeo ezeoqoesogosesseaooRsenrec s | of 7 meen eereneeeaes | most entirety oc j claims for rec | free from official cares. 14th & H Sts. to the nemina- POSTPONEMENT. On account of the inclement weather, the opening of the Eclipse Bicycle Court has been postponed until Monday, April 19th, when the ground will be in perfect condition. tions have been completed to make the Eclipse Bicycle Court the best riding school of its kind in the south--the ideal outdoor academy of bicycling. The Eclipse Bicycle Court is located at 1750 Massachusetts avenue, next to the Force School. nouncement of the opening will be made. Eclipse Bicycle Co., ame time secures S prepared pn to the Sen- | ate later in the day. He also takes orders for the aration of such other appoiat ments been de upon. Even while they preparing the business the day, ushers have admitted a ore or more of offic who have been t for, and the business is uted th frequent interruptions 10 o'clock before this wo: and from that hour until 5 o'clock the President's time and attention are al- upied in the ption of is concluded, stream of caliers, beginning with senators with and representatives, and en classes and kinds of office se nothing of the daily crowa of y re there merely to pay their king the President's hand. Acts as a Buffer. All the business rs pass through the secretary's office, and he acts as a buffer between them and the President. He tr persuade them that it ts not really necessary to discuss their cases with the President, and that their wants will | subserved just as well if they will leave their papers with him, but so far he has very little success in this move. The office seeker cannot be put off so easily. not that sort of a man. He acts on the theory that he can only hope for success by a whispered appeal to the President in But Mr. play: person, and he is not to be dent is not discouraged, and he ihe same game with more s with each succeeding caller in the almost endless line. On cabinet days, Tuesdays i these people cannot see the . and they have to content them- selves with personal arguments with his secretary on the superior merits of their gnition. has his luncheon between and Secretary Porter goes home at that time for the same purpo When voth return to their offices there are more callers to be received on all sorts of business, and the President and his secre tary have scarcely a moment to themselves from that time up to 5 o'clock, when they generally go out together for a breath of fresh air. Their outing generaily takes the form of a horseback ride er a walk, and sometimes a dri Even then th ‘They bav time together during the day that it is necessary to utilize this hour of aile recreation to the discussion of the b ness that has been presented by the v rious departments. It is a fact that th rush of callers has been so great and un- ceasing that the President barely has time during the day to put his name to the documents requiring his signature, such as acts of Congress, appointments and official communications. Secretary Porter never has time to write Icy off the hours and minutes is a timepiece. oes He is} QE It is usually | CLE SENSE, Any bicycle is a bicycle. True. So anything that counts gold—be it the ro-karat or the 22-karat sort. But giades differ. You want the best. It’s so with bicycles. ferent grades. You want the best. If you understood bi- cycles as well as you understand the difference between a 75-cent alarm clock and a costly French clock—or could distinguish as readily as you do between alloyed brwssy- looking gold and the virgin metal—it would be easy to «>- termine. But you don’t. How should you? When you arc going to buy a commodity whose value you don’t know you pick out an old established house to trade with, trust in their statements, experience and reputation. Do so when buying bicycles. Victor Bicycles have been on the market for nineteen years. There is a mighty army of Victor riders (and they’re steadily increasing). It is a reputable, sound— free from weak spot bicycle—as near that point of bicycle perfection as gold of 24-karat purity. There ‘are many bi- cycles. But there is only one Victor. It never fails to give satisfaction of the very best sort. éCline Bros.,42"** 909 Pa. Ave 4th of March, 5 ys exce | twas beginning to tell on them b Wedn last, heeding 2 | moni of friends a: Went away on the Dolph: Ink (Ce fittfe scBoot: master of adverfising), saps: It is claimed for tbe Washington Stor, and probaffp truthiuffp cfaimed, fBaf no offer newspaper in fhe counfrp goes info 6o farge & percentage of aff fBe Bouses within a radius of fwenfp mifes from t§e office of pubficafion. cs) Elaborate prepara- SSGOdEECEE 2 OOG Further an- J. D. Lasley, rigr. able opportunity te ence of the office by: keep up the dic mut he finds en his desk ¥ people, w ng to him a the Ny gets hom and returns to t . F Dik anoreing. they freq ® the and | Test and re¢reation. $+ Dakota Rabbit Trap From the Kulm (XN. D.) Wind. Many of the Russian town are complaining about falling down their chim ly lodging therein, ste the smoke. Their y which are all provided with lar and proportionately large chimneys mostly low and covered with the ful.” The chimneys, of be kept clear of snow. shoveled aw everal times, a nel-shaped cone ains, the which are rendered icy by the al fluence of the fire below above. Any wild ani on a bitter cold nigh these smoke cones an. would naturally s thereto, whereupor varlably result in ing in the fire box below. oo . farmers west of jack rabbits course, After it has _€pon tu fecling the k closer res would in- r. Animal land- Lonelyville Consideration, Frem Puck. Mrs. Isolate—“Three new families going to move into lovely our avenue, this week, Fe Mr. Ieslate (earnestiy)—"V and see wi of them has a I don’t like to boi Remotelys’ machine all the time, are Lor slyville, on dinand.’ 1, you be row Am = ~o-. 4 A Full Explanation, From Life. “Why were yer fire “Loaded.” BD YIP Pe Sy Ge ory So any gold is There are dif-