The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-08

sponsibility.
Special Correspondence of The Tribune
Washington, Dec. THE opening day
of congress was conspicuously a Penn
sylvania day. The most important mat
ter brought TO the attention of the sem
ate was the presentation of Senator
Quay's credentials as an appointee of
the governor of Pennsylvania 1t is an
old question that has been decided both
ways in the senate. A speedy concus-
ION or the matter by the elections COM
mittee is promised, and every indca-
tion is favorable to Colonel Quay. At
ieast that is the current belief about
the capitol As a senator, Mr. Quay's
innuence was undisputed, but Mr..
Quay's individuality in the expected
decision of the senate sustaining Gov
ernor Stones appointment will cut no
figure. 1t is vital question of the
preservation of the senate. Such emf
nent Republican leaders as Aldrich,
Hoart Chandler. Lodge, Plat and Haw-
ley would resent any suggestion of sem
timent In a matter of this kind as an
jmpertinent reflection. The senate, it
Is urged, must protect it's own exist
ence against the annihilatng and dis
integrating results of factional party
disputes. Four states are now partly
denied representation in the senate on
account of factional revolts in state
legislatures. And If four senators, why
not forty? And II forty, then why not
the absolute dissolution of the senate"
II is not probable that technicality or
precedent will be allowed TO longer
hp
ate. That is really the question in Mr..
Quay's case,and hence the confident eX-
preston heard on all hands. that he
Will be promptly seated.
Pennsylvania didn't get the speaker
ship, but had everything else its own
way in the organization of the house.
Mr.. Harmer. of Philadelphia. was the
oldest member in continuous service
and the honor of swearing in the new
speaker fell to him. He showed great
feebleness from recent illness, and left
sick bed to honor his state in the dis
charge of a function that has long dis
tinguished it. 1t is much more than
an empty honor after all, for it em-
phasiZes the wisdom Of the people in
sending experienced and upright men
to congress. 1t seems hard. for the
average constituency to appreciate this
fact but to one here who is dsinter
csted in the individuality of congress-
men, it easily explains the mediocrity
so painfully apparent in the majority
of representatives.
Big Salaried Officers.
But the house rarely fails to appreci-
ate a capable and efficient officer.
Hence. his friends say, there was no
nnnnCitinn n ha olantipn Of CnIppal
Mcdowell as clerk of the house. And
that means number of big -salaricd
places for other Pennsylvanians. The
Democratic candidate against Mellow
ell is also a distinguished PennsylVa-
nian. The clerkship of the house is the
Iipest and biggest plum on the tree,
and of late. whether shaken by Repub-
licans or Democrats. a Pennsylvania
always falls in a soft place. Pennsyl-
.vania enjoys the distinction too, OF
being the best dressed state in the
house. Colonel Bingham is a fashion,
plate that defies duplication. He is al
ways faultlessly dressed. Mr.. Dalzell
is good dresser. without Colonel Bing-
hams form or presence. Mr. Connells
clothes are like the man, modest and
severely correct. The entire delegation
is conspicuous for good dressing, and
it means something in an aggregation
of indifferently appareled men.
The floral contributions were un-
usually gorgeous and elaborate There
We're rose trees. great anchors AMI
shields and hOrseshoes, but in the mag
nifcent keystone that covered Repre-
sentative COnnells desk q PennsylVa-
MIA woman carried off the honors. IT
was composed of red and white roses.
Eleventh Pennsylvania District" in
red roses. 1t was photographed by an
artist who said it was the most artistic.
appropriate and elegant floral decora-
tion he had ever seen. 1t was sent by
Mrs. Annie Fulton. of Scranton.
Appearance of Mr.. Grow.
The only eX-speaker in the house is
the memorable Galusha A. Grow. He
enjoyed, with Mr. Harmer, the distinc-
tion of selecting his own seat before
the drawing of seats began. His hair
is trfe longer and stands out in de-
flance of all restraint over the gray
matter that sustains II, but does not
appear any whittier than It did twenty
years ago. His movements are agile
and vigorous and his voice rings as
clear as of yore.
with the rarest exception the preSi,
dents message is wearsome and COM
monplace, amounting to little more
than a carefully digested compilation
of departmental reports. Few members
pay the slightest attention to its read
ing from the clerks desk. Mr.. Grow is
among the exceptions and when the
reading is concluded he is promptly on
his feet, ready with a sSuggestion TO
discuss the paper. 1t is "A courtesy, he
thinks, that is due the chief executive
of the nation. The contents of the mes
sage offers great opportunity for