The times., 1899-03-19
.FEUD BETWEEN THE
HOUSES OF CONGRESS
Contention Over Vacant Capt.
tOl Apartments.
Plans That Have Gene As'ray Be-
eanse Of the Quarrel.
Pet Schemes of the Senate and
House to utiIize the Empty
Rooms.

II Is perhaps not generally known that
the dog-in- -the-manger spirit in which the
! TWO houses Of Congress tried to enact legis-
iation at the last session for the improve
ment OF their respective wings OF the
capitol buiidiNg resulted in the utter fall
ure of all the proposed Improvements
The bone of contention was the dispo-
sition of the rooms made vacant by the rS
movai of the Congressional Library to its
present quarters. Ever since the new
Library building became a reality covet-
Gus eyes have been cast on the Capitol
rooms that would be made vacant. and
which have been so now for some time.
and, as usual, each legislative body want
ed to appropriate the space for its own use.
The plans as TO the disposition OF these
rooms first formulated by each body. diff
fering entirely though they do, have been
adhered 10 with the utmost tenacity, even
TO the extent Of blocking all other much
needed Improvements in the building.
Dining-Rooms for Congress.
The House of Representatives mas de-
eided that these former Library rooms shall
be made into magnificent dining rooms for
the accommodation of both the members OF
the Senate the House. They argue that the
little stuffed-up restaurants at either end
of the Capitol fall far short of what they
should be to correctly dispense good cheer
to such distinguished personages as pat
ronize them.
Many splendid opportunities to arrange
matters in regard to knotty legislation are
lost simply for the lack OF suitable place
in which to sit down in privacy and con-
verse over a cup OF tea IL has even
been advanced by those of optimistic train
ing that the legislative minds Of the two
houses might occasionally be inveigled into
the same channel by thus being thrown to-
gether in benevolent assimilation.
This limited attempt at familiarity has
not met with Senatorial favor. The place
where cold bottles shall be served, like
many other ancient traditions of the Senate
is not TO be trified with. and the House has
been calmly referred to the dinner OF
herbs and peace and told to stay on its
own side.
This contest for home rule between the
two houses did not break out into the open
II assumed shape in quiet maneuvering
with the House taking the initiative. Sem
ators were invited over to the House res
taurant to lunch during the rush hour
were piloted into the midst OF scores OF
hungry statesmen, and good naturedly
jostled, but this as well as all other forms
of argument failed 10 convince Senators
that they did not want tSnse vacated Ii
brary rooms as committee r6on.s.
A Senatorial ultimatum went FORTH the
House took issue and a deadlock ensued.
On the disposition of these rooms hung tho
fate of all other improvements.
The House would grant nothing 10 the
Senate and the Senate would grant moth
ing to the House, except. of course, enough
10 eradicate the stains OF the session on
the woodwork. etc.
The House had a very elaborate plan
for remodeling its chamber, after the man
ner OF the English House CT Commons.
with an inclined row of benches on either
side Of small forum. at one end of which
would sit the Speaker. The chamber was
to have been shortened to nearly half its
present length, and Of the space thus gain
ed two large retiring rooms were to be
constructed. one on either end to be dedi-
Gated respectively to the Democratic and
Republican parties.
All this had been carefully worked out
in detail, and the supervising architect
was instructed to lay his plans for making
the improvements during the present re-
cess. The House had also instructed him
to be prepared TO carry out its restaurant
scheme, while tine Senate had asked for
plans at his hands for remodeling in an
elaborate fashion the old library rooms
into committee rooms for it. He prepared
his plans for both sides as instructed. and
then waited for action, but no action was
taken.
The House could not order its improve
ments without the concurrence of the SEN
ate. and the Senate was powerless to act
without the cooperation Of the House, and
both stood firm
Meanwhile the Capitol is keeping Lent
in the most approved style. The only re-
minder OF the legislative activity Of few
weeks ago is the buttonholing proclivi-
ties of the guides, and even they are re-
duced to wondering whether the annual
spring visit of the Eastern school -marm
will prove short or a long haul