The Washington times., 1894-05-18
CLOAK ROOM AND GALLERY.


One Of the greatest nuisances which afflict
members of Congress nowadays is the
enormous number Of applications for seeds
since the passage Of the law allowing each
member certain quota from the Agricul-
tursl Department for distribution in his con-
gressional district.
One Congressman said the other day that
he had sent out at least !, 500 packages Of
flower seeds this session and more than
three times the number Of vegetable seeds.
If these came from people who were inter-
ested in making agricultural experiments 1t
would be one thing, but they are not. They
come from gardeners, truck farmers, and
even from seed dealers, and In some instances
very rare varieties not easily obtainable and
OF purely decorative character are asked
for as a matter OF common right.
Another New Jersey Congressman, Mr..
Dunn, of Elizabeth, claims that he has dis
tributed over 10, 900 packages OF all sorts OF
seeds among his constituents.
To such ridiculous extent has this request
for flower seeds gone, that some rural and even
urban constituents are beginning to regard
their Congressman rs distributors of the gen.
eral luxuries and necessities of life. Vir-
ginia Congressman was asked the other day
for an encyclopedia in eighteen volumes, an
other received request Tor a gun "of any
good variety" and another for a pocket-knife
with pearl handle.
The climax was capped, however, when
letter came the other day to leading men,
Der, whose constituency is in part along the
seashore, stating that he had great difficult
ties in making his trees grow, and would like
to have the soil in his county analyZed and
hundred trees that would grow there sent to
him.
There are a number OF ex-members Of the
Cabinet in the Senate at present. Sherman, as
everybody knows. was once Secretary of the
Treasury under Hayes; Chandler was Secre-
tary of the Navy under President Arthur;
Cameron was Secretary of War under Grant,
and Red,leld Proctor under Harrison. Teller
was Secretary OF the Interior under Arthur.
Villas was first Postmaster General and later
Secretary OF the Interior during Mr.. Cleve-
lands first administration.
Representative Bailey is one OF the best
Democrats on principle in the House, He
makes up his mind on every public question
in accordance with the strict constructionist
principles of his party. and accepts the result,
whether it favor or prejudice the interests OF
his section.
Mr.. Bailey has already declared himself
against the proposed government appropria-
ton for the Cotton States and International
Exposition at Atlanta, and iustifies such de-
cision by his firm belief that it is contrary to
sound Democratic principles to vote away na-
tional funds for the benefit of certain sections.
1t would be interesting in this connection
to hear some real good Southern Democrats
of the strict constructionist mold explain on
just what grounds they would justify this pro-
posed gift of public funds for sectional use.
Delegate Joseph, of New Mexico, says the
credit of the territory he represents is better
than that OF most states. The per capita
wealth is now 81 800. and the territorial treas
ury has 53O0.00 or 100000 to its credit,
while many states are borrowing on short
time notes.
The territorial scrip which bears per cent.
is in such demand that it sells at figures rang
ing from between III TO 125 per cent. The
gold production Of the territory has trebled
in the last two years.
Congressman Graham, Of Brooklyn, ap-
peared In Congress yesterday for the first
time. He has been i'll ever since his election,
and this is his first congressional term.
Mr. Graham is said by his friends to be
very able man. He has had life full of ex-
periences and hard work certainly. and ought
to have the characteristics of energy and
pluck which such life enSenders. He is of
Irish birth, his native town being Belfast, and
received his education in the Brooklyn public
schools. and then served five years appren-
ticeshlp as carpenter.
His present business is hardware trade. in
which he has accumulated a very handsome
property.
1t is interesting to learn that the Post ONCE
Department is inclined to regard appoint
ments to postmasterships made under the
Harrison administration without any specif-
cation of term of service as four-year appoint
ments. or. as Postmaster General Bisseil told
one Congressman, such Il term was "a full
apple"
Under its provisions there are good many
offices in the hands of Republicans who hap