The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-22
CONGRESSIONAL MEMORIES.
Az AFTERNOON ON TIE BALCONY OF
THE house OF 7IIks.

UssHts and Sounds :. the Capitol Grounds
Music II the Hail or the House-How
statesnea are sometiwes tnspirea-A
Ksntueky Delegation ThoropghiyArouseA
-Reminiscenees OF JOHN u. Crsttcnden ana
Senator B-ek-Jos Bisckbar~ ON the
Golden Kuie-Asher 6. Caruth's Rendi.
ton OF noheniiu Aen.
WASHINGTON. May 21.-Out on tho south
balcony OF the Capitol. Here are two benches
that look as though they had been brou ght in
from somo park. They are the only seats in
this great marble niche. Tho sparrows are
twittsring in the carvings OF tho white Cor
inthian columns above U.S. Robins arc run.
ming over the green sward below us. The mir
ls filled with the perfume OF flowers. South
Washington IL beyond. almost buried in foli-
ago. The two branches Of the Potomac come
together like silver ribbons. and are lost in
the distance. You SEQ tho Stars and Stripes
floating above green mound. mile or moro
away. 1t 10 tho arsenal. whore Payne. Harold
Atzerodt. and Mrs surratt, wore executed.
The Congressional limited express Ia rolling
through the mall. this side Of the arsenal. on
its way to New York
It Is perfect spring day. There Is light and
lifo everywhere. Insects are droning around
us. and a dull humming comes from tho
hall Of the House behind us. for the entrance
to this marble veranda is from the Speakers
lobby. The air IL sultry. and the four sets OF
baize doors. loading from the lobby to the hall
Of Representatives. are wide open. At times.
The shrill falsetto tones OF the Watch Dog are
heard. and anon the resonant notes Of some
Wild Western Congressman. whose feelings arc
rasped because the appropriation for the sur
vey OF public lands has been cut down. Tho
6undry Civil bin Is under consideration. 1t
has been hitchinR itself through the House
like an inch worm for nearly week. and will
Chamber over cracks and gaps for week
longer.
A locust is piping shrilly from an acacia tree
below tho marble esplanade. As his music
dies away. 1t Is succeeded by dulcet strain
from the House. silver-haired Breckenridge
ls talking. Although you cannot distinguish
the words you recognize the tones OF his
voice In measured cadences they rise and
fall. msgnetizinG the galleries and interesting
the House.
Then q catbird enits It's peculiar notcs from
adowerinG shrub. You are listening to It and
Watching the activity Of the bird as 1t fits from
twig to twig. when the music in the House
also changes. Notes as mellow as those Of
EAxe-horn float over the lobby to the balcony.
There Is no mistaking this voice. Silver Dol
lar Bland Is on his feet. The Committee OF the
Whole has reached section OF the bill pro-
vidine for the rslssuing Of silver coins. Tho
very mention OF the word silver will bring tho
great Mlssourian UP.
page at the telephone in the Speakers
lobby distracts your attention. He Is calling
up John Cham berlin. Ashbel P. Fitch wants
nine covers laid to. night, instead OF seven
and asks as . special favor that there shall 10
no sliders among his tcrrapin. You can almost
hear Cham berin's indignant response. Tho
tone is muffed. but 1t breathes evaporation.
Then comes an apoloGetio reply from Fitch.
He has been tho victim Of ono OF Col. John R
Fellows's practical jokes. Fellows. who 10 al
ways bedevilling Chamberlin. has told Fitch
that John was q great humbug. and that he |
could not tel! q slider from deep-sea terra
pin.
Your attention Is quickly diverted from the |
telephone. Two big bumblebees come chas-
ing each other over the low marble rail Of tho |
veranda, and circle round your head. They |
are lusty follows. with bright yellow jackets |
and hair on their legs They fill the air with |
music. Occasionally they shoot up eight or
ten feet. but quickly drop and take turn after |
turn around you. Like q flash they shoot of |
on tangent. and disappear over the end OF |
the balcony.
There is different sound In the hall Of the
House 1t Is low and indistinct It Is made
deliberately and apparently with good intent.
1t comes from Gov. Sayers Of Texas. He Is
backing UP the Watch Dog In his fight for econ
omy. An old and experienced member Of the
Committee on Appropriations. he always has
his figures at command. and is impressng
upon the House the necessity for a reduction
OF the appropriation on some single item OF
the BILL There are Interruptions In his speech.
He is often interrupted. You cannot hear the |
inquiries made. but you hear an outburst OF
laughter and clapping OF hands. Pages who
have been skylarking in the lobby rush in to
Ind out what is going on.
Fut you remain on the balcony. It Is far
more pleasant and great deal cooler. For
there ia change in the atmosphere The
swallows twitter no longor and the robins
have left the sward. The locust has buried
himself In the foliage Of tho acacia. and the
catbrd has disappeared. The sunlight has
gone. and the sky Is overcast. A volume Of
black clouds rolls down from the northwest
They change the landscape. and give tho i'm
monso bowl OF foliage known as the city OF
WSshhinSgton an h, o%pinous, appearance The
essm to clutch at eaci, other ike chop seas" cas-
They bring gale as well MS shower. Gust
@aIes The facade hum Ike ar rsfe.fx o hnn
BLACK ~ like an a aFPsss sns
liz IN Tspe rss oses
around us. congressman have troored from
the House out upon the veranda to view the
The House Itself fs 30 dark that you! can
(nterminablo discussion goes ON. Tho Watch
Dog emtts his shrill warnings. Tom Reed bel
~ the debate. !pthe darkness you can dimly
Suddenly there Is u fash in the southwest
corner Of the, crystal ceiling. The gas above is
being lighted. In five seconds the whole hall
g moonlight The contendlng orators keep
right at their work. utterly o6liyioIls to the
does. mako nssertions. recall "reminiscences.
quote presidents. talk about Appropriations
once In while refer to the Constitution and
wrangls almost as fercely as the clements
prefer the turmoil OF nature to the wild mood
Of the House.
The gallo whistles with undated fury. Tho
rain comes at last and beats upon tho asphalt
pays%1ents, around the GaptEi Trees are ",
stormy scenes in Tom Reeds Congress are