The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-01
SANDER ON TIE SENATE.
Things Richard Harding Davis saw in Senate
Chamber That Never Were There.

Thugs Richard Harding Davis saw in senate
Chamber That Never Were There.
WASHINGTON, July 31.-vlce-President Ho-
bart and the members Of the United states SEN
ate will doubtless be astonished II they should
happen to cast their eye over the article by
Richard Harding Davis In an August magazine
describing the last Presidential inauguration.
In his comments upon this holiday OF demoo-
racy, and in drawing a picture Of the Senate
chamber, Mr.. Davis gives such free rein TO his
Imagination that he completely transforms tho
historic room In q manner shocking to all sense
of Senatorial pride and Of the fitness Of things.
Opposite to the desk of the Vice-President,
and at each side of it," says this close observer
of interesting details. "aro wide entrances.
with swinging leather doors"
1t IL barely possible that in gazing several
hours q day for many weary weeks at the doors
opposite to his desk while Senator Morgan de-
llvered his series Of speeches, Mr.. Hobart may
he could have passed in and out Of the doors at
t the s stSe OF OF ri Mar Hish la %s@i s'n ali the time
under the delusion that they were OF leath.
Or. for certainly they are n not, vs W Isais.
lative halls. and II Senator Hoer eyer hears that
the report has gone abroad That they are to 6s
certainly rise to a question OF privilege and rel
But creating bWlnRlnR. iodtncT II ~
most serious offence OF the author OF the article.
Senators less persistent In advocating adher-
ence to form than Senator Hoar might forgive
him for that. but even Senator White, who
thinks the rulcs OF tho Senate and all the forms
OF dignity that surround the honorable body
entirely out OF place in the nineteenth century,
draws the limo at this:
"Thero are several ane oil paintings ON the
wall behind tho Presidents desk and a large
American flag above his chair"
That gives Senatorial dignity q shock from
which II will hardly recover. Paintings and
flags in the United States Senate chamber
Shades OF Daniel Webster! can such sAcrilege 20
unrebukedI II Mr.. Davis saw paintings on the
no must have seen them in a dream. for Ger
tainly they have never yet been looked upon by
tho w~ide.awake eye of any human being. But
perhaps II was all n dream, for shortly after the
vision OF swinging leather doors. tho hags. and
of the paintings passed. green treea were
seen to move In the park outside. Now, the
members OF tho Oldest Inhabitants Association
OF the Capitol City never SAW the trees green
before the first OF April In Washington, not
even In that year when there was no winter.
1t 10 quite probable that IL Congress had not
adjourned last night some Senator would intro
duce a resolution tomorrow providing for the
ing the reccss, with power to send for personI
and papers and travel about from ono watering
place TO another to Investigate the question
whether swinging leather doors. paintings. anC
flags actually do hang In the Senate chamber
and whether the trees are green In tho park oil
the 4Lh Of March. and TO officially report upoI
tho facts. Under the circumstances. however
the public must remain In ignorance IN thi
matter until the drst Monday In December next