St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-23

bherman's seat in the senate. 1t was
next to Senator Hoars desk, so that
places both the Massachusetts senators
near together, where they can easily
consult each other when matters come
up which affect their state. Though
the desks are alike, when a senator
changes his position on the floor Of the
senate his desk and chair are moved
with him, so that he occupies the same
desk from the time he enters the senate
until he retires.
While no one has succeeded in getting
one of the desks out Of the senate cham
Der, one man was permitted to take his
chair on retiring from the body. When |
Hannibal Hamlin retired from the vice
presidency he asked to be permitted to
retain his chair. His request was not
laid before the senate directly as there
was no recognized form in which it could
be done, but two or three committees
which, through controlling appropria-
tions or directing the disbursement OF
the contingent expenses, might be re-
garded as having jurisdiction in such
matter, considered the request carefully
and concurred in the agreement that he
might have the chair. This action excit-
ed good deal of criticism among sena-
tors, who held that it made bad prece-
dent, it being proper that the desks and
chairs of the senate should remain, their
associations adding to their historic
value, which should accrue to the inter-
est Of the building and it's surroundings
Consequently there was an understand
ing that the thing should never be re-
peated.
1t Is not known to any except the man
who has charge Of the records who occu-
pied before him the desk occupied by
Senator Harris, but 1t Is said to have
been the desk of one Of the very dis
tingushed statesmen of former genera.
tion. If it were the Calhoun desk that
might account for Mr.. Harris fondness
for it. For the past 20 years, however,
the desk was occupied by the senator
from Tennessee, and it Is for this associa-
ton only that it is coveted by the state
of Tennessee.
Much more value is attached to things
about the senate than to those about the
house of representatives The desks in
the house are not handsome, nor have
any of them ever acquired any individ-
uality. The drawing of seats at the be-
ginning of each congress destroys the
association which would come from
man of long service continuously occu'
plying the same seat for many years. On
the senate side the furniture is bettel
and the associations are stronger.
Eighteen or 20 years ago there were
some changes made in the side furniture
of the senate chamber and in the lol =
bies, and some unnecessary furniture
was moved out. Among other things We're
some oddly shaped three-cornered chairs
and some other things formerly hand.
some, but then well worn out, which were
nearly enough unique in their character
to identify them with the senate. Alto.
gether, there was great lot of such fur
nlture packed away in the storeroom, in
this way, and of no value except for Its
associations and it's possibility of re
vival of former splendor, at cost greater
than that of handso me and newer things
There was great demand among the low
ers of the curious and unique for article!
| CT this furniture, and all sorts of devices
were suggested by which they could b,
secured. The three-cornered chairs wer
particularly coveted, and very larg,
prices were offered for them. There wa
no authority to sell nor to give then
away, and no law authorizing condemna
ton. From the point Of view of utility
the furniture was no more than rubbish il
the inventory of property of the govern
ment. Finally, when Mr.. Bright wa
sergeant at arms the first time, a resolu
ton was passed through the senate do
mating all this furniture to a hospital
the idea being that the hospital coul
sell It to some of the persons who wer
making extravagant bids for it, and wit
the proceeds Of the sale purchase NOR
suitable furniture for hospital purposes
a number of large wagon loads wer
shipped to the hospital by Colone
Bright, and a short time afterward h
saw some of those who had been particu
larly liberal in their offers, and told thei
that they might be able to make puT
chases from the hospital. The three-cor
nered chairs were the things most great
valued, and two fashionable ladies Q
washington were PiSpdicu " oio oS dhis
each other for them. They were in
formed simultaneously and hurried Of
to the hospital together ready to offe
from $50 to $50 each for the old chat
frames. In answer to their breathles
inquiries whether the prizes had bee
sold yet, the hospital steward told ther
that he had chopped them up the da
before for fireWood
During the month of June there wer
1881 visitors to the top of the Washing
, ton monument, of whom 10,1S0 made tn
ascent in the elevator and 2IO7 by tn
stairway, making 1,409S22 persons VIII
have visited the top since the shaft wa
opened to the public, Oct. 8, 1888. TIL
monument is sos feet high, and one of tn
features of Washington.
The talk about putting an elevator
the White House for the benefit of caller
Is not beng agitated extensively since
was ascertained that the president di
not take kindly to the scheme. 1T is tc
: easy to get up here now" the president
quoted as saying when the subject of
> elevator was mentioned to him.
!, A medal of honor has been awarde
to Benjamin Fl. Child of Providenc
for distinguished services in action E
:, the battle of Antietam Nd, Sept. l
!, 1862. He was then sergeant of Batter
- A, Rhode Island light artillery. AftC