The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-02-14

ProJs. Burned Ont Inauguration Notes,
&C., dc.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1885.
A visit to the House of Representatives
well repays a stranger to such scenes as are
there to be witnessed. On going into the
Capitol building, if you enter through either
of the main doors, the rotunda is before you.
IF you get there about the hours of II, II or
l O'Clock, you will find crowds, some viewing
the magnificent paintings, others trying to
take in its general immenseness and gran
deur and still others hurrying to and from
the Senate and House. The rotunda (you
may not know it, is Immediately in the centre
of the building, and as consequence there
you viii meet the greatest moving crowd.
We will not stop to speak further of this en-
tertaining part Of the Capitol, but will make
our way to the House, which we can easily
find by following part of the crowd which IS
vending its way thither. As we go up the
marble steps our attention is attracted by the
large painting of Commodore Perry at the
great battle on Lake Erie. 1t is a magnih-
cent work of art | wish could give you a
description of it. 1t represents Com. Perry, S
feet drawn up in line of battle, and he is
going from one of his ships to the other IN a
yawl-boat rowed by eight sturdy men. lie
stands erect amidst the flying shells and
bursting bombs, while his boy, standing be-
side him with most entreatlng looks on ms
countenance, is endeayoring to persuade MN
to be seated Floating spars, flying shells,
bandaged and bloody heads, dying men on
board ship-all make a wonderfully warlike
and striking picture. 1t is said to be one OF
the finest at the Capitol. We leave this
painting with reluctance, and pass to the
private gallery We are just in time to hear
the chaplain make his prayer The speaker
has rapped the House to order, the chaplain
steps to the reading clerks desk, most all
arise, and then devotion begins. During the
prayer there is profound silence; the speaker
stands with bowed head, his hands before
him resting on the inverted gavel, which he
presses hard on the desk in front OF him.
Altogether makes an impressive sight. The
prayer ended, one rap of the gavel seats all
present, and then the din commences Mem
Eers who didn't think they needed prayer, or
for some other reason were not present when
the opening hour arrived, come pouring in.
They are met, Just inside the door, by polite
colored messengers; their hats and coats are
safely deposited by them in the cloak rooms,
and then they mingle in the general confusion
in any way that suits their pleasure. The at
tentiye and industrious member busies him.
self with business of the House, though it is
common to see representatives lie around on
the sofas and smoke, or stand IN the alsles
and converse on congenial SUBJECTS The re-
suit is there is noise and confusion, which to
a stranger is very wonderful The calling OF
the pages by clapping of hands also adds to
the din. The visitor finds himself una
ble to understand the speaker, and also
finds that the House of Representatives is a
differently conducted body from what he had
imagined it. 1t is only when some distln-
guished member is speaking, or when some
very important matter is before the House,
that you can hear what is being said. 1t is
quite different, however, in the Senate, where
there is the utmost decorum and attention to
business. After a stay of half an hour the
visitor generally tires. He thinks, however,
he will remain little while longer, when
somebody demands the yeas and nays. lie
may sit a few moments longer, but he Will
leave pretty soon, and as he goes out he asks
the doorkeeper how long it takes to call the
loll. He is told IS minutes, and departs for
other sights about the building.
ssThe number of callers on the Maryland
MEMBERS said the doorkeeper, lis very
large. Representative Talbot has more con-
stituents to visit him daily than any one in the
House They will average 30 day, while
Senator German, in the other end OF the
Capitol, is said to have 10 callers to | for
each of the Others
s.How do you account for this p we asked.
HBecause Maryland is so close, suppose;
and nearly every Marylander wants place
under the government, | believe, was the
response.
We thought our informant preiudiced
against our state, and so we thanked him for
his information and departed.
Mr.. Talbot is fir Jm the second district, and
will. of course, refer his numerous visitors to
Dir. Frank T. Shaw. suppose he IS pre-
pairing for the siege.
The Corcoran Gallery Of Art commenced
its night exhibitions on February 5th. The
handsome donation to the gallery during the
winter by Mrs Tayloe, of this city, of mum
Der of valuable pictures, has added much to
its attractiyeness, and crowds OF visitors
throng its halls nightly. The gallery is also
open daily. The venerable w. w. Corcoran,
to whose hberality Washington is indebted
for this beautiful building and its contents,
still enioys good health and is a frequent
visitor himself His many good works in the
way of donations are known to all, but there
is none which the general public appreciates
so much as the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
"How much will it cost to take my girl and
self to the inaugural ballY queried young
man of Secretary Clagget, OF the inaugural
Committee, few days ago.
Let me see. SdlU MI. OtdSSOtf uNC dOA-
lars each for the tickets of admission, one
dollar each for supper, and twenty cents for
street car fare-twelye dollars and twenty
cents. That's the amount unless you want
to 90 in hack; that will make five dollars
additional There viii be no charges for
putting away hats and wraps for the ladies. :
ssWell, that is not so Steep remarked the
Young man, II think I'll have to go; thank
YOU Mr.. Clagget; good day.
'.Good- day, SIR said Mr.. Clagget, and the
young man disappeared.
Several of the Irish land leagues and soci-
cites have extended q vote of thanks to Sen
ator Riddeberger, of Virginia, for his manly
and glowing words for the Irish people and
their heroic struggle for the blessings OF free
dom and selfgovernment," and have passed
resolutions of disapprobation at the course OF
Senator Bayard, Of Delaware, in introducing
his dynamite resolution.
Chairman Berret visited President elect
Cleveland last week on business relating TO
the Inauguration. He says Mr.. Cleveland
seemed satisfied with the arrangements that
have been made for the Inauguration, and,
although he is opposed to too much display
on the occasion, he is willing to submit to the
usual custom. Like all others who have
called on the President elect, Mr.. Berret is
much pleased with his gentemanly manner
and busnesslike views.
The Office of cold Probabilities, or SIN
dications,i as he is now called, was partially
destroyed on the evening of the Sth inst. by
fire, and many valuable records were lost and
instruments damaged. The records which
were destroyed were those that have been
collected for the past five or SIX years, and
the officials say they cannot be replaced.
''Old Prob will have the general sympathy
of the country.
am told the present public printer ex-
poets to remain in Office during the Incum-
bency of Mr. Cleveland, by virtue of the
s'business.like' manner in which he has con-
Quoted the Office / asked prominent DEM
ocratic Senator a few days ago whether, in
his opinion, Mr. Rounds would remain. In
answer to my question he simply smiled IN
a knowing way and said nevera word. Your
correspondent knows of few Democrats who
would like to testify to the "busness-like.
manner in which that department of the gov
eminent has been conducted.
Everything seems to be ready for the dedl-
cation of the monument on the 21st instant.
But few besides Senators and Representatives
and officials will be able to gain admission to
the House of Representatives on that day,
much to the general disappointment of the
, public. The order of exercises has been al
ready published. Enough genuine pieces
from the capstone of the monument are dis
PLAYED in store windows in this city to build a
house almost They sell for prices ranging
from ten cents to one dollar. Many OF the
s'chips," as they are called have painted on
Al - ...o4-.or 90 lo r,oDumant Mt Vprnon-