The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-26
Gossip ait
the Capital

Special Correspondence of The Tribune.
Washington, April 25.-During the first
session of the Fifty-fourth congress Sena-
tor Cannon, of Utah, introduced a resolu-
tion providing for the appointment of
commission to report on the practicable
ty of establishing near Washington, ID. G.,
a ground map of the United States" The
text of the resolution was as follows:
Resolved, BY the senate and house of
representatives of the United States of
America in congress assembled, that the
appointment of q commission of five citt-
zens of the United States Is authorized to
be made in the following manner: Three
members to be selected BY the president
of the United States, one by the president
of the senate and one by the speaker of
the house of representatives; and for the
following purpose: To examine into and
to report to congress upon the practicable
ity, advisability and the cost of establish
ing al or near the city of Washington
ground map of the United States of Amer
lea, on a scale OF one square yard of map
surface for each square mile Of actual area,
or on such a scale as it may be possible
to comprise within the reclaimed or Poto-
mac flats, said ground map TO be as nearly
as may be our country in minia ture, re-
producing in earth and other materials,
on scale, the boundaries and the topo-
graphy, all the natural ana artificial
features of the surface, showing geogra-
phical divisions; also mountains, hills,
and valleys, forests, lakes and streams,
cities and villages; and that said com
mission is to serve without compensation"
This passed the senate on May 10, 1896,
and was reported to the house two days
later, where, for some reason, 1t never
reached a vote. Mr.. Cannon's proposition,
however, commended itself to every in
telligent and thoughtful mind not only
tn Ant In "a aI nf
life. 1t was everywhere recognized as
indicating the best possible purpose to
which the reclaimed flats could be devoted.
There Is now a general and strong desire
that the n after be taken up afresh and
pushed to a conclusion. If the scheme be
practicable, and no one seems to doubt 1t,
It's realization would add incalculably to
the instructive and patriotic value of the
capital.
There Is lively hotel row over the en-
tertainment Of the president at the Grant
monument dedication In New York on
| April a. The committee of arrangements
engaged quarters for the presidents par
| ty at the Fifth Avenue hotel. Warren F..
| Leland. formerly of Chicago, sent a per-
| sonal invitation through Abner Mckinley,
who resides at the Windsor, of which Mr..
Leland is the proprietor to the president
| and his cabinet to become his guests, and,
before they krew what plans had been
| made for them most of them accepted,
| When the New York committee discovered
| this they endeavored to persuade Mr.. Le-
| land to rCfase his guests, but he declined
| to do so, and Abner Mckinley came TO
| Washington again to mako sure that the
president adhered to his'acceptance. Thus
a double set of rooms have been engaged
| for the presidents party. In the pro-
| gramme II is arranged and announced
| that he will start from the Fifth Avenue
! hotel. He is also to receive certain dele
| cations in his rooms there. The name OF
| the Windsor does not appear I'm any OF the
announcements. The president is natur-
| ally very much embarrassed. 1t is prOba-
BILE that he will go to the Fifth Avenue
| and make thai his official stopping place.
but Mrs. Mckinley and the ladies OF the
| party will go direct from the train to the
Windsor and their husbands will join
them there when their official functions
are finished.
| Much MISUNDERSTANDING has arisen over
the reports that have been generally cir
culated that the patronage privileges of
| senator's have been extended, and that
| their Endorsement will be required on all
postoffiee applications. This is erroneous,
and Postmaster General Gary has had
! frequent occasion recently to correct this
! impression. The policy that has been
| practiced heretofore In the distribution OF
offices will be followed by this administra-
tion AMI the prerogatives enjoyed by rep
| resentatives In the past will be continued
| Congressman will have the naming OF
| postoffices I'm their district as a general
rule, while senators can name their home
Affces and some large cities ~ ami