The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-11


predecessor has drawn bis quota Of seeds.
and that there are none to DE obtained az
the Department of Agriculture The new
member from the Squeeze district called
ON the Secretary Of Agriculture the other
dav. lie wanted his quota of mushroom
seed. When informed that the mushroom
was propagatcd from spawn ana not from
seed ne asked if the Secretary took him
for an idiot An older member assured
him that the Secretary was right, and
sent him to the FISH commissioner for the
spawn.
The new member finds much difficulty
i'm keeping out Of the way of wheelmen.
and more ~ avoiding the negro hack
drivers at the rounded corners Of the
streets The Washington monument stll
fills him with awe and the exquisite
beauty Of the new Library building
charms him beyond description.
The hodelng member appeared al the
Capitol early in February. The more ne
saw Of legislation the less Doe learned
about il. The ways seemed devious, and
he was unable TO understand why some
members assumed the right TO talk when
ever they pleased. while others were un-
able 10 secure the floor &C any time. The
scenes that followed the reading OF the
journal awakened Dis interest. When
fifty members thrOncel the arena IN front
Of the Speakers desk. waving printed
bills and resolutions. and shouting "Mr
Speaker" the din TO him was deafening
ON no theory could DE explain rocogni-
tions, and it was not until some stentorian
voice demanded "thc regular order that
the puzzle was solved.
Dazcd by the hot disputes over apprO-
pration bills. ne found the cloak room a
quiet retreat. There the story tellers
abounded. Seated by the coy crate. he
drew inspiration from the north and the
south. tho east and the west lnroduc-
tons were numerous. and he formed ace
Quaintances that may prove of value IN
the present Congress. Statesmen Of ma
ti0ual reputation made him feel perfectly
at home and more than satisfied with
himself. and made remarks that con-
WINGED him that they were far more
human than divine
Now that the extra session OF his own
Congress has begun DE still finds that
everything is new 90 him-even the Capt.
tol itself lie takes the elevator I'm pre-
ference 20 the stairway for the latter
may mislead him. THE document and
stationery rooms clude him when in
search Of bills and pads and be frequent
lv misses his way when looking FOR the
restaurant and rs cOncomitants. or seek
ing an exit from lne uulluius. II ls only
lv following the beaten track that he cap
reach the main entrance Of the House
Months WIN elanse before every bvwav
and passage m the immense structure be-
comes familiar Even then he may az
times require the assistance OF guide
But 70 viii take him q longer line 10
master the rules OF the House Patiently
has he listened 10 debate on the Dineiey
bin. and ardently has he conned the
speeches in am effort 90 CLEAN new ideas.
ITO has failed because there are no cew
ideas 90 CLEAN. The legislative husband
men have been threshing straw that has
been threshed since the foundation ~ the
government As yet he is not conversant
with committee work. The committees
have not been named, and the assin-
nents have not been allotted. When
made. he will end tiat committee work
IS fully as intricate as the work Of the
House. Qucrums are counted with riuch