New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-10
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
MIR REEDS VISIT TO THE HOUSE LAST
MONDAY.
Hcpy Mrs TURNER GOT INTO THE MEMBERS
GALIEBY-MR PUTNAMs REPORT ON
THE LIBRARY MOSSIGNOR

SBARRETIL
Washington. Dec. "a conspicuous figure in
the House on Monday was the former Speaker,
MI Reed who looked with eager interest al
the scene in which he had so recently played a
leading part.
where is Mrs Reed?" asked old friend OF
the Gear" whom he encountered in the House
lobby.
"She has no more use for politics than have"
responded Mr.. Reed.
"And have you no further use for them"
asked his friend.
mo" said Mr. Reed. "Tve given up politics
and am going to become bishop and lie souls
into heaven"
THE new Speaker is OF 200 amiablc disposi-
ton to come down upon the House when 1t is
out of order as his predecessor often did" said
a member whose experience dates back to Mr..
Carlise's regime. but, be It said to Mr.. Reeds
credit, his method invariably eflicacious,
ard we in the House minded promptly and with
out open protest
ION one occasion during the last session the
House became very disorderly. Mr.. Reed
knocked several times with his gavel but with
out effect. The Speaker was obviously annoyed.
Finally he pounded the desk heavily. one mo-
ment.' he said angrily, his voice penetrating TO
the furthest corner Of the chamber; gentlemen
should recollect that there is an unusual attend
ance OF eX-mcmbcrs and nembers-elect, and
that that account there is considerable ad
diton to the usual noise, which of itself is ordi
narily sufficient to prevent the transaction of
business There was loud laughter at this but
it was observed that the House soon settled
down into unusual quiet"
NJ had mo Inf
tie members, and, whether willingly or unwill-
fngly they were wont to obey his requests. One
afternoon. when the House lacked n quorum.
one Of its messengers was dispatched 10 hunt
UP an NJ c. at Harvey's, famous restaurant
;n town.
The Speaker would like to have you come up
10 the House. as there is quorum" said the
messenger to the member who found
1oying "A broiled lobster with visiting con
>titucnt
You tell the Speaker to 20 to the devil" said
me diner; I'm going to finish my lobster"
Very well, sir" assented the messenger, II
will do So" and he left the room hurriedly; but
Rs soon as his back was turned the belligerent
member rushed down by the back stairs. through
/ side door into a cab. ana was up at the House
bng before the arrival of the messenger.
MIS-. turner, mOtHcF or the young DcIuoCTdllC
member from Kentucky. became separated Al
the Capitol Monday from her son. who had
her ticket for the members gallery in his
pocket The rules were strictly enforced and al
though she gained admittance to the gallery the
jealous doorkcepcr threatened that if she did
not produce her ticket he would be compelled to
ask her to step out.
NO" said Mrs. Turner Il shall not move
1.
member of the House. and I going to see
him sworn in. l have lost him and I have no
ticket. but l shall not move a step from here
until see him take the oath"
The doorkecpcr, being a wise man, said moth
Ing further and Mrs. Turner had the happy
privilege Of seeing her son sworn into Office.
This son by the way, who succeeds Walter
Evans, is one Of the youngest men in the House.
and his father. oscar Turner represented what
used be known as the "Oid Purchase District"
Of the Blue Grass state for nearly twenty years
Turner senior came to Washington as a Demo
crat, although he did not receive his nomination
on the regular ticket the party organization be-
ing generally agains, him. But that was moth
ing; ne was glad enough to run on the indepen-
dent ticket and ne always won. Mir Turner
was a useful member of the House and an ex-
trcmely wealthy man his estate when he died
being valued at nearly 100000 His family
took prominent part in social affairs when he
was in Congress and their friends predict a
credtablt career for his son.
The first report Of Mr.. Putnam a. Librarian Of
Congress is an interesting and scholarly paper
which covers every point in the Library that
bas been criticised and denotes a breadth in
the Librarians administration OF the affairs OF