The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-04-02

During debate on the Legislative Appropria-
| ton bill the other day there was much amuse-
ment over the item for Senator'S clerks and for
| the Senate BARRIERS. Mr.. PETER objected to the
| latter item, saying il was a vicious abuse that
Senators employed BARRIERS to do their bar
boring at the expense of the Government"
This brought forward Mr.. Chandler with n
mock serious argument as to the injustice OF
| the plea of Mr.. PETER. whose whskers did not
need barber, in seeking TO incommode sena-
tors who did need barber. Mr.. Chandler
| created much amusement in describing the
skill necessary in handling razor around a
Senator's face. The barber item was pre-
served.
By the way, Senator PETER lately made n
| prediction. 1t was that the Republicans will
sweep the country in the Autumn elections.
| He believes that the Populist party viii poll
the second largest number of votes. while the
| Democrats will be a bad third. He says the
| Populst propaganda is bearing good results,
| but that Populist success viii not come until
| 1900 Mr.. PETER has had it postponed for a
few years.
| The average Senator does not have such an
awfnlly leisurely time as some people suppose.
| Besides the work in committee that he is ex-
pected to do, he must he within call of the
bells announcing that vote is to be taken in
the Senate. unless paired with someone Of op-
posite political faith. For the Senators whose
committee-rooms open on the corridor en-
circling the Senate chamber this requirement
is not attended by any great Inconvenience.
but only small contingency are SO favored
Senators who happen to be engaged in COM
mittee-rooms in the Maliby Building and in
the terrace don't enjoy the tramp TO the Senate
in order 10 answer to their names when called.
But even in the case of a Senator who attends
closely on the business of the Senate, it is sell
dom necessary for him to spend more than two
hours at his desk.
Much OF Senator's time is taken up in at
tendance on callers. Nearly everyone who
comes to Washington on a sightseeing journey
wants to meet the Senators from his State, es-
pecialy If the visitor is of the same political
party rs the member of the Upper House.
There is a Standing rule that Senators do not
receive cards between IL and 2 o'clock, and
visitors wait until the latter hour before an
nouncing their presence and then are invited
into the Marble Room Some OF the popular
Senators find that the reception of visitors who
merely call TO pay their respects is an import
ant part of their daily labor
Frequently the greatest part of a Senator's
work is done in the evening when the Senator
and his Private Secretary get together, and
either dispose Of the accumulated mail or pre-
pare speech 1t is a fortunate Senator who
knows the value of an efficient Secretary and
is able to find one--for they are not abundant
aud is wise enough to intrust such one with
responsibilities. 1t is the Senator who thinks
lie must dictate his letters and must open and
read them ali who is weighted down with ron
tine and non-productive work. Those who
have capable Secretaries rely on them.
Il
The biggest bouquet ever. seen in hall of
Congress was that presented TO Senator Black
hurn. after the exciting and frnitless Senatorial
contest before the Kentucky Legislature. On
the Senator's desk was the most mammoth
and elaborate floral design ever brought to the
Senate. rising II feet from the floor and
hanging the desks of Senators Walthall and
Nest on either SIDE The main design repre-
scented the coat of arms Of Kentucky, with two
huge dolls clasping hands as the central fgures.
around which we're worked the State motto:
United we stand, divided we fall" Above
this was large horseshoe OF roses while below
and around were great sheaves of oak leaves
and lily of the valley. The whole was topped
]
| Beauty roses. The tribute came from MIR.
/ Blackburn's Senatorial associates.
Il
/ II turns ont that Admiral Bunce's North At
| lantic squadron has been kept very closely in
hand ali Winter. The ships prepared for
| extended cruises. and every thing was in readi-
ness for immediate departure. The usual Win
Ter cruise 70 the Caribbean Sea was given up
/ for fear Of possible oiIense 10 Great Britain,
hut the men and officers were kept very close TO
| their ships all the time.
X
There is little fun in the Senate over the ap-
| pearanoe Of Senator German AS a Civil Service
reformer 1t came about during the discussion
Of the Legislative, Diplomatic, aud Consular
| Appropriation bill. Tie Secretary of State
wanted an appropriation for Bureau of Sta
! iislics, and Senator German, while fayoring it,
moved that all the employees be put under the
Civil Service. Ills idea was TO give the Admin
| istration a little dose Of its own medicine.
CELEBRATING LEES SURRENDER.
| The 3lst anniversary Of Lees surrender is TO
/ be celebrated n this city by a reception in
1 honor Of the s. ex-sodiers and sailors in Con-
4 gresb at Grand Army Hal, April g. The ccle-
bration will he under he auspices Of the De-
pariment OF the Potomac.
A collation. will lac served and speeches will
be made by veterans who were at Appomaitox.
detailing the events Of that memorable day. of
| which they we're eye witnesses. Among the
speakers will bo Gen. f. w. Whitaker who
I was CusteF's Chief Of staff and received the
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