The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-03-15

| he had paid to old soldiers exactly $50, III,
91759. There are other agents who have been
in the service as long as Mr.. Wilson but none
other occupies field in which so many veter-
ans reside as is the case in the District Of Co
lumbia Pension agents are among the highest
bonded officers of the Government, and Mr..
Wilson has had to secure his employer from
loss by bond of $4,000, which his splendid
reputation for trustw1rthiness allows him to
get with little trouble
X
Representative Martin, of Indiana, the Chair
man of the Pension Committee. says it is diff
cult to'say just now what Congress will do in
the way of pension legislation. He is person.
ally greatly interested in the service pension
bill, and it was he who offered bill of this ma
ture an amendment TO the Morrill, bill. but it
was voted down. Mr. Martin believes that if a
service bill was passed it would be final solu-
ton TO the pension problem. He is thoroughly
investigating facts and figures which show
that the enormous expense to the Government
of such bill is mostly imaginary. He intends,
if this matter comes up the floor, to be well
prepared to supper; his beliefs.
The Spring term OF the Supreme Court began
on March 5, but there will be a delay of about
a month in hearing cases which require full
bench, owing to the absence Of Justice Jackson,
who is in Florida for his health On account of
this delay Senator White will remain in the
Senate longer, locking out for Louisiana sugar
interests. Senator White states that he will
DOT telegraph his resignation to the Governor
of his State until the eve of taking his place on
the bench.
The Secretary of War has not changed his
business hahits since he was Private Secretary
to the President He begins early, aud he
practically never stops. As he continues to
grow stout and has not Uttered any loss OF ap-
petite it is fair to assume that il agrees with
him to work. lie has less strict routine habits
than some of his associates in the Cabinet, and
less need of them. New York callers who come
to see the Secretary Of War fiud the same calm
man in the inner room that they used to know
in the headquarters of the State Committee,
way back in the Tlden campaigns. All the
Department officers have come to know that
nation about any question. that he soon grasrs
a situation, and that he acts promptly.
No Cabine: officer is so pleasantly located in
many respects as Secretary of Agriculture
Julius Sterling Morton. The Department of
Agriculture is in the public reservation south
OF Pennsylvania avenue and to get TO it one
must pass by wide areas of lawn, diversi fed.
Immediately in front of the Department build
ing, by handsome beds of well-kept foliage
plants. These supply visitors with object
lessons, and many a caller las gone away with
the determination to have just such beds as
these at home.
The Secretary is at home in his Office on the
ground floor. He has no stairs to climb, and
there is little use for an elevator in the build
ing, as it is not lofty. In the Secretary's room
there is much light and little superfuous
adjournment. fine bouquet of flowers from
the gardens of the Department. ornaments
his desk. There is photograph of Uncle
Jerry" Rusk on the wall, and some pictures
Of high-bred cattle Oh the Secretary Nebraska
farm. On the mantel there is photograph,
taken 30 years ago, in which are seen Daniel
w. Voorhees,. wearing a beard and heavier
head of hair than he has now; Mr. Morton, as
lie appeared when lie was seeking admission to
Congress as Delegate from the Territory of
Nebraska; and Senator Richardson, of Indiana
There are also photographs Of the house of the
Secretary at Nebraska City, with the infant
grandson of the Secretary proudly riding
donkey in the foreground
Few people realize bow generally Senators
and Representatives live in hotels and board
lighthouses when they come to Washington.
Comparatively few 90 to the trouble and ex-
pense of making permanent home for them
selves and families here, although most of
their time is spent at the Capital in fact, a
very large number Of the peoples representa-
tives are not accompanied by their wives and
families at all. OF the IS Senators in Wash
ington at the present time, 30 live in hotels
and a large number of the balance occupy
quarters in boarding houses; Sc OF the Senators
are companied by their wives, and % have
their daughters as members of their house
holds. There are 356 Representatives and four
Delegates in Congress, and of this number I79
are satisfied TO make their home in hotels
while q large number OF others resort to the
time-honored boarding-h house for all the com.
forts of home. OF the Representatives and
Delegates, 201 have their wives with them, and
81 are also attended by their daughters.
X
"No," said exSpeaker Grow. with smile
upon his pleasant face, 81 was never tempted
TO count a quorum when / was Speaker. That
was in war times and the anti-war party, under
the lead of Mr. VaIlandigham, was in SO small
minority that it could not accomplish much.
We had long and thorough discussions, but the