New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-02
HASN'T STRUCK HIS GAIT YET

As n gentleman ;hirsting for reform AMI
straining himself 10 elevate the sIatesmans call
ing. the Hon. Joseph Henry Walker. OF Massa-
chusetts il seems To US has not exactly struck
his gait. II is graf thing To be reformer.
and still greater thing 10 achieve success III
that capacity Mr.. Walker Is a rcformer. ana
therefore great: hut The Tribune wishes him to
be "A success. and therefore greater. We would
take Mr. Walkcr To some secluded spot ana
wrestle with him for spell
Mr. Walker has been wasting his time ami
his energy upon the atmosphere OF the House
Of REPRESENTATIVES in Washington. The only
ucrson now living who ever made anything out
of ATMOSPHERE is Henry r. Thurber. the PrcSi-
dcni's private secretary. He has 1t stuffed 10y.
In. President and then does wonders with II.
Rut Mr. Walker has accomplished nothing win
the House atmosphere II may be thick and bad,
As h.. complains No doubt II would be all the
hotter for n little ventilation. The trouble is.
however. that MIR Walker has not approached
e. wisely We have followed with genuine
interest and occasional grief the gentlemans
operations against Edward clark the architect
Of the Capitol hut have been forced reluctantly
I, the conclusion that Mr.. Walker has been
astray upon false scent So far IA We can
=
lions and executing definite laws and reg'ila'
tiou. H.. did not design the Capitol nor did
b,. frame the rules under which he officially pro-
cre,ls II Tile atmosphere " the House IL de-
plorlblo. ~ Mr. Walker claims and as may well
he the case. at least Mr. Chrk did not make 1t
So. nor can h. with the means at his disposal
cleanse and swccfcn r. Mr.. Walker may cate
chIs. him from now until Doonsduy bur that
atmosphere VIII stick
Now II lust occurs 10 ia that the Massachu'
seits rcformcr might do something useful In an
other direction IN several other directions. 10
be- exact II he really wants II change or air In
the House. and * not merely batting Architect
Clark 10 keep his hand In. He could prevail
upon certain of his colleagues, for example 10
swear of smoking In the hall He could induce
others 10 quit tobacco chewing, and TO curtall
the volume Of expcctoraton on the carpet. He
could also set the example Of keeping ones coat
on when one ariscs 10 make summer speech
And he might though with difficulty. we fear
prevail upon Honorable gentlemen To bring less
Of the underlying principles Of Southern hos
piality" with them when they return from the
restaurant Ia their seats upon the floor. Here
l. n wide ana varied field for the useful employ
mcnt " Mr. Walkers undoubicd talent for re-
monstrancc and obJurgation-a field he should
lose no time In occupying
Meanwhile. we invite Mr. Walkers attention
10 the prospect that the incoming LlNth Con-
grrss will improve the atmosphere OF tho House
in "A great many important respects II Is pos
siblc. indeed. that after the 4th Of next March
he will find so little to complain Of as regards
the air he breathes that he will be able TO post
pone considerations Of hygiene indefinitely. and
concentrate his talents that higher states
manship in which he Is qualified for such brill
liant and profound achievement