The times., 1898-01-29
CAPITOL GOSSIP.


1t is said that the menagerie of the
Barnum & Bailey Circus Company is
valued at about 81, 100000. This show
is now in Europe, but is preparing to
return to this country. The animals in
the menagerie are nearly all imported
beasts, upon which duty has already
been paid, and the company believes II
would be a wrong to compel them to
pay duty again on these beasts, De-
cause they have been temporarily out
OF the country. Under the Dngiey law
the company must pay the duty, which
is 20 per cent. on each animal. AT a
valuation of 81 100000 the company, un-
der the law, must pay 100000 duty,
sum that will melt away their profits
for the season in Europe. To over
come this hardship TO the company the
House Committee on Ways and Means
has decided to report favorably bill
permitting the animals to return to the
country free of duty.
John Lovejoy, of Rockland, Me-, "a
prominent leader in the Republican
ranks, was at the Capitol yesterday
trying to secure the support of Speak
er Reed and MIR. Dingley for the ap-
a very nice political billet.
Mr.. Belden, of New York, early in
the present session, while descending
one of the stairways in the House side
of the Capitol, fell and beside knocking
out several teeth severely injured him
self He was hurt so badly that he has
not been able to attend to his duties
since. The accident has had one good
result, for it has shown the authorities
the necessity for a hand rail along
these marble stairs, and yesterday men
were put to work to construct one.
Scarcely a day passes that some one
does not slip on these stairs, although,
fortunately, serious accidents are rare.
The hand rail will be Of great service.
The Republican members of the
House have postponed the caucus
scheduled for Monday night next un-
til the following Thursday. The eau
Gus is to be for the purpose OF arrang-
ing the Congressional campaign COM
mittee, and it will be held at the Capt.
tol.
There was much complaint in the
House side of the Capitol yesterday rel
ative to the testing of fire engine by
the authorities of the District. The
engine flooded the asphalt plaza ana
the spray made the marble steps wet
Ii was just cold enough during the
morning TO freeze, and as result VS.
itors, after wading through the wa
ter. We're forced to Chamber up ice COW
cred steps at the imminent risk of re-
ceiving serious injuries. officials at
the Capitol denounced the action of the
department roundly, and declared that
the custom of testing engines in the
Capitol grounds should be stopped. An
effort to prevent a repetition of the nui-
sance of yesterday Will be made. In
warm weather, when Congress is not in
session. there is but little objection to
the experiments in the Capitol grounds.
but at this season of the year. when
ice forms, the experiments are dan
gerous.
Major Barnes. Of North Carolina, one
of the Senate doorkeepers, has receiv-
ed from an admiring friend in the
Tarheel State a magnificent 'possum.
Ii is being properly prepared, and
when ready with its accompanying
sweet potatoes, will be made the piec.
de resistance at a dinner to be given
to several Of his associates of tine
Senate force. The major is having
the 'possum cooked according to the
receipt that meets with most favor i'll
that part of the South where pos
sums are best prepared and most en-
joyed. Those who have received invi-
tations are looking forward with much
pleasure to the night of the feast.
The story recently published in The
Times concerning Senator Cannon's
comment on the telegram sent by Mark
Hanna to the President, where Mr..
Hanna used the language, God reigns
and the Republican party still lives, :"
that Mr.. Hanna intended to use the
words, Cold reigns" has been appre-
ciated by the members representing
Western silver constituents. Several
hundred marked copies of The Times
have been sent into the mining camp
regions of the West, where the story
of Mr.. Cannon viii be read with in
terest by the men who are toiling for
that metal which Mr.. Hanna and the
Republican party are seeking to de-
prive of its value either as a money
metal or as a commodity.