The Washington times., 1894-05-19
CLOAK ROOM AND GALLERY.

Gun tests In the navy appear to have been
good deal more dangerous fifty years ago
than they are now. Representative Geissen-
hainer, of New Jersey, a member Of the
House Committee on Naval Affairs, tells Of q
remarkable trial trip In 1874, in which the
Secretary of War and the Secretary Of the
Navy, both Of whom were on the expedition,
were killed by the explosion OF the gun that
was being tested.
Commodore Stockton, Of New Jersey, who
was conducting the test, was court-martialed,
bur was exculpated.
New Jersey was largely responsible, accord
ing to Mr.. Gessenhainer, for the establish
ment OF the Navy Department. 1t was orig
inally part of the War Department, which
was one of the three original executive bu-
reaus, and was created in 179s at the instiga-
ton of three or four New Jersey delegates In
Congress, who feared that in the entangle-
ments of war New jersey with her extensive
seaboard, would suffer more extensively than
other states, and were not satisfied with the
steps taken by the then War Department to
prepare for such n contingency.
Ever since then New Jersey has maintained
her interest and her hold on the Navy De-
partment. She has had three Secretaries
House and Senate Naval Affairs Committee.
At this moment Senator Mcpherson Is chair
man Of one, Mr.. Geissenhainer prominent
member Of the other, while Mr.. McAdoo, the
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, was during
his long service in Congress, prominent
member Of the Naval Committee and for
three Congresses its chairman.
Mr.. Coombs, of New York, is as dis
81 ,ba1 h; b~;sx Will
lam Walter Phelps used to be when he was in
Congress. 1t was said Of Mr.. Phelps that he
always wore three things-a pair OF gray
trousers, red cravat, and bang. As a
matter OF fact. he was never seen without all
three, except when he got to Berlin and had
to wear black short-clothes when at imperial
balls.
Mr.. Coombs' scarf is not OF the same hue
as Mr.. Phelps. 1t is more OF a scarlet and
less of crimson. But from the regularity
with which Mr. Coonbs is wearing his, Il fs
likely to prove as famous as Mr.. Phelps used
to be.
There is one respect in which both the Sem
ate and House OF Representatives have great
advantage In the matter of sociability and
the maintenance of friendly feeling between
members OF opposite parties over the legis!a-
tive bodies in Europe. By the committee
system Senators and members are brought
into friendly social relations wholly unknown
to the members of the House of fCommons. the
Reichstag, or the Chamber of Deputies. And
inasmuch as every man has something per-
sonally attractive about him that wins him
friends. the result of the American system Is
to bring about many friendships among men
politically opposed than is true in any other
legislative body.
That this good feeling has considerable ad-
vantages cannot be denied. Even in times OF
great political tension Senators ana members
manage to treat each other the greater part
of the time with what to European eyes
would seem marked courtesy.
In the British Parliament it Is rare to hear
a speaker descend from the purely political
attitude in addressing members OF the opposi-
tion. In the French and German debates
there is almost personal bitterness in all
partisan discussion. Here it is almost always
good-humored. or at least only sarcastic or
ironical, with a touch of courtesy which
takes the edge of plain language.
The choice of the committee OF investiga-
ton in the attempted bribery charges and the
alleged sugar trust influence on legislation
made by Vice President Stevenson is com
mended on all hands as an excellent selec-
ton. The partisan element is very largely
out of it, and every member of the committee
is a man who is peculiarly well fitted for his
task. 1t is to be hoped the committee will
fully live up to the expectations OF the public
and ferret out all there is to be discovered.
1t was said by a well-known member Of
Congress the other day that of all the mem
bers of the Cabinet Secretary Carlisle had the
happiest way of turning down a request for
appointments or other favors. He does it not
only with great tact. but often with a per-
sonal story or reminiscence about his efforts
10 accomplish similar results when he was In
Congress and the Senate. The Congressman
in question said he had been refused more
requests than had been granted. and that be
must admit he never felt very badly about it.
not as badly as he ought 10.
Evidently Carlisle must have taken advice
from Chesterfield. who had numerous pre-
scriptions on the method OF saying no in
such a way that the person refused would
rather have a mo" than yes"