The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-10
JOKES ON VIRGINIANS.
HOW ONE BOUGHT AN XMfS PEGS
ENr ron ms MOTHER-IN-LAW.
Colonel John Bell Bigger's Quick Repartcc.
slim Attendance of Congressman at
Yesterday session.
TiMEs BuRFAU. RArIrY BUILDING.
WAsHIN0r0N. Dec. 3, 1923.


The adjournment Of the Senate until
next Monday. and the fact that Friday
IS the day for private bills in the House,
the gathering at the Capitol was very
small indeed, and the galleries were al
most unoccupled. The attendance Of con-
Fressmcn was smaller than on any day
so far this session. and there was list
lessness about the proceedings that was
in striking contrast with the previous ses-
sious OF the week.
In an atmosphere Of excitement like that
which surrounds the Capitol both on the
door and about the lobbics. political SEN
sauons are frequent, but the breath al
most that brings them sweeps them away,
and they are forgotten. They burst upon
the congregated public men like a meteor
that flashes through the midnight
heavens, Mlumining the skies for mo-
ment and, fading, leave no trace in the
impenctrable darkness. They create an
uphcaval in the public mind. as the strong
ship that plOughs the mighty deep in an
hour IL has passed. and its foamiug,
seething track is lost upon the limiuess
waste.
The extra session speculations, the
presidential message criticisms and the
possibilities Of party caucuses, have
passed already from constant thought,
and only the probable contest for the
Speakership next session is left for un-
usual conjecture.
The House was convened this morn
ing at the usual hour BY Speaker Crisp,
end the prayer by the chaplain was Of
fered for the guidance OF the members
IN the fuihiiment Of their sacred trusts.
IL is impossible 10 describe the beauty Of
these fervent petitions for while the beau
uful and polished sentences may be re-
corded, the wonderful elOcutiOnary pow
ers must be heard 10 be appreciated
Under the ruling of the Speaker yester-
day none of the bills OF the last session
come up for six days so the private bills
were in order. by a vote Of the House
these We're all rejected for the day, and
the House took up the Printing bill and
passed il with the various amendments,
and then adjourned.
Il is certain that the financial condition
Of the country will be fully and thor
ougbIy investigated by a committee of
TINS House. bat the question has arisen
as 10 whether the subject will be given
20 the Appropriations or Ways and Means
Committee. Both are anxious TO be ac-
credited with the excellent work Contem-
plated, and the Committee on Rules is
now considering where the resolution will
be- sent. 1t is more than likely that the
Ways and Means, Mr.. Springer chairman,
VIII be given the opportunity TO distin-
guish itself.
Senator Buffers resolution providing for
the appointment Of a permanent commit
tee TO investigate every single case in
the Pension Department, not only those
claims now pending but into the justncss
Of the pensions now being paid, has Gre
gted some considerable comment. The
Democrats generally regard it as a splen-
did move, and one which the country at
large is entitled to have made.
There is no doubt that at the Demo-
cratic caucus of the Senate a committee
was appointed to arrange with the ma
JOrity FOR schedule of questions to be
considered. and also of 81 committee to
render such aid in the matter of advice
and opinions as the leaders may require
I'm the Western States, where attempts
are being made TO prevent the selection
Of Democratic senators. The report Of
some Of the correspondents here that the
Democrats would refrain from organizing
the Senate If they were compelled to have
the Alliance or the Populists is simply
absurd. They will organize that body at
the next session with any kind of a coal
ition they can properly form. and the Re
publicans now seem willing that the Dem
oCrats should control the Senate as they
are fully aware that with a Democratic
President and House they could accom-
piish no strict party legislation. 1t has
been rumored that the Democratic sena-
tors rather shrank from the great respon-
sibilities which the entire control would
throw upon the party. but l can learn Of
no thought of such a thing among the
Democratic senator's There are too many
strong talented and able men who are
familiar with every proposed policy Of the
party 10 srink from fully putting them
into operation at the first opportunity.
The question OF a new selection Of a
Speaker in the House. with the beginning
OF another session. is being very generally
discussed, and although the faction which
IS opposed TO the present Speaker has
not yet named their candidate. IL is likely
that If the ight is made either Repre-
sentative William l. Wilson. William NJ.
Springer or w. G. =. Breckinridge will
be elected. IL is extremely questionable /
whether either of these gentlemen could
defeat Mr. Crisp. and if. after a careful
canvass, this is found to be true an
attempt VIII be made to get the Demo-
cratic caucus 20 appoint a committee to
select the chairmen Of the various House
committees, as is done in the Senate
Some or the congressman may vote for |
THIS plan who would not fOrsake Mr..
NIlsp LOT any other specified candidate.
The Virginia delegation on the Mary
land boundary line matter are leav-
Ing Tor homo this afternoon The vari-
Gus members spent the morning in divers
ways, but nearly all of them are carry
nB home presents for the holidays. rang
Ing from baby dolls and jumping Jacks |
10 diamonds and silk dresses A good
story got out on one Of them yesterday.
Taking a friend by the arm he said:
Come go with me up the avenue. ! want |
10 buy my mOther-in-law q Christmas |
present" Up town they went and passed /
ntO a furniture store. While the pur- |
.hoscr consulted the salcslady the friend /
sai.r "a near the door. Finally a selection /
VAS made of an onyx top table with |
ornamental brass supports. The buyer /
alked low 20 the shop Girl. and in a few
eeonds she removed the tag on the |
able and going 60 the desk. wrote out /
mother and tied it in it's stead. As the /
oupie left the place the friend asked the
purchaser what that manOeuvering meant.
Then came q candid declaration: 'Well,
oU see. / am poor. This legislative bust
Joss keeps me hard mp an the time. My
fe has q little money of her own. and
Fe divide the expenses on presents like
MS 10 her mother That table cost $3.50
paid for IL. and had the tag changed TO
l3. So. you see. ! will get even" There
p no use trying 20 beat statesman like
DIS for the state Legislature, and he
u2ht 20 be sent up here 10 stay.
Aitcr dinner last evening at the Metro
o1tan q number Of the virginia dele
auon were presented by Mr.. w. A.
oncs 10 Speaker Crisp When Colonel
nln Bell Bigger was presented Mr. Jones !