The Washington times., 1895-02-18
CLOAK ROOM AND GALLERY.


Congressm an Cultivate, of Ohio, will en-
deavor before the close of the session to Sc
cure consideration for the bill eported from
his committee few weeks ago, to give the
telegraph operators who served in the Army
a certificate of discharge The bill specif-
caIly states that this certificate shall not be
used to further their claims for a pension. 1t
has passed the Senate, and il is believed if its
merits are properly understood by the House
that it will pass without difficulty.
The record of many of the military telegra-
piers is highly creditable both to themselves
and to the government whom they faithfully
served. The bill has the Endorsement of Gen.
Schofield, and was reported from the commit
tee without an adverse vote.
The Rev. Mr.. Bagby does not find the Chap
laincy of the House a gilt-edged sinecure
While it is true that his distinctly clerical
duties are confined to the utterance of short
prayer each day, the thought that he must be
at the Capitol at noon is ever present in his
mind and necessitates the postponement of
all other work until the afternoon
Bnt this is not ALL Many people believe
that his position gives him great influence
with the members of the House. and he is
constantly importuned to exert this influence
in their favor. He persistently declines to
comply with these requests. although many
of the cases brought to his notice awaken his
sympathies and are no doubt deserving.
Congressman Champ Clark believes that
Missouri is rapidly becoming Republicanized.
He says that the settlers in Kansas and Ne
braska who are leaving those States because
of the drought and other adverse conditions,
are locating in Southwestern Missouri which
until recently has been but sparsely settled.
The lands are fertile and can be purchased
for mere song. Moreover, the climate is
more salubrious than that of Kansas and Ne
braska.
The great majority OF these people. Nj.
Clark says are Republicans. He does not
believe that their influence will be potent
enough to assist in carrying the State for the
next Republican candidate for the Presidency,
but they may succeed in electing few Con-
gressmen.
Gen. Lew Wallace, of Indiana, denies that
he wishes to found a society of 'Immortals'
similar to those in the French Academy, and
that all he desires in the new Congressional
Library is proper accommodations for those
who may desire to consult the books,
Mr. Ainsworth Spofford, the Librarian OF
Congress, says there will be no difficulty on
this score. The reading room of the new Ii
brary which will be spacious, will contain
inches, in which will be found tables and
chairs. with pens, ink and paper in abundance.
Here, he says, one may read and write at
ones pleasure and without being interfered
with by ones neighbors. The building, he
says, will be sufficient for the uses of the gov
ernment for the next $50 years. and its capac-
ity can be increased for another $50 by the
addition of wings.
1t has been the fashion, he continues, to
criticise the contractors for their slowness in
completing the structure, but he points to
the fact that the new public library in Boston
| upon which work was commenced two years
before the Congressional Library was started
has just been completed.
Within TWO years the Congressional Ii.
brary will also be ready for occupancy, thus
showing that government work is as expedi.
| tiously performed as is that by private con
| tract.