Gilpin observer., 1899-12-14
FROM WASHINGTON.
GOSSIP OF THE WHITE HOUSE
AND THE DEPARTMENTS.

GOSSIP OF THE WHITE HOUSE
AND THE DEPARTMENTS.
There is one colored man in the
House-GeOrge II. White Of North Car
| olina.
Ex-senator Edmunds is to appear be-
fore the committee of privileges and
elections and before the Senate In op-
position to Mr.. Quay.
| A newspaper correspondent says:
The present house is fine-looking
body of men. 1 have looked into the
faces of twelve Congresses and have
never seen one that impressed me more
by its appearance"
| The first of the public hearings in the
Roberts case began ut 2 o'clock Satur-
day. AT that hour the committee room
was crowded with members, represent
atives of the press and delegates repre-
senting the Gentle element of Utah.
Mr.. Roberts sat at the end of long ta-
BILE with documents piled up before
him.
| Brigham II. Roberts of Utah, who
was not allowed to be sworn in as n
representative in Congress of that state,
has issued an address to. the American
people. 1t contains much that was
| said by Mr.. Roberts on the floor of the
House and by Mr.. Richardson, who op-
posed the resolution of Mr.. Taylor of
Ohio.
Commander e. p. Wood, U. S. N,
died of typhoid fever at his residence
here Monday. He was in command Of
| the gunbOat Petrol at the battle of
| Manila bay. Since his return to the
United States his health has been bro
ken and he has lacked the power to
throw Off the disease which caused his
death.
The Senate has confirmed the fol-
lowing recess appointments of census
supervisors: Colorado, First division,
Frank s. Tesch, Denver; Second dis
trict. William II. Brisbane, Leadville.
Idaho william II. Savidge, Boise.
Wyoming, Charles w. Riner, Chey-
enne. New Mexico, Pedro Sanchez,
Santa Fe.
Representative Lentz of Ohio has in
trOduced a joint resolution reciting the
charges growing out of the presence of
United States troops under Brigadier
General Merriam at the centers of min
ing troubles in Idaho, and asking for
| an investigation by Il special committee
of nine members, to be appointed by
the Speaker.
The POpulists and silver men in the
Senate are telegraphing ex-senator AL
len Of Nebraska to accept the appoint
ment of United States senator to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of
Mr.. Hayward, if the governor offers it
to him. They say they need him here
this session, while the new currency
bill is under consideration.
Representative Tawney of Minneso-
Republican side of the House. His
business will be to arrange pairs, to
see that his Republican colleagues are
on hand when they are wanted. and
take n general oversight of legislation.
1t is a position that carries great deal
of labor and anxiety, as well as honor
and glory.
The Department of Agriculture will
begin its distribution of seeds little
earlier this year than last. shipping
them south the beginning of January,
and perhaps sending a few shortly be-
fore the first. This year the seeds for
distribution to all parts of the country
will consist of 13,OOO,OOO packets of
vegetable seeds, 1,5SS,OOO of flower
seeds, besides field and lawn grass
seeds.
1t is stated that the Danish govern
ment has made another effort TO sell
the Danish West Indies to the United
States. The proposition was laid be-
fore the State Department by II repre-
sentative of the Danish government.
anu the matter is now under considera-
tion. The American embassy in Lon
don is assisting in the negotiations.
The price asked fOs the islands is 3d.
OOO,OOO
The Populist party of the present
Congress has smaller representation
than at any time in ten years, but II
makes up in ability and energy what 1t
lacks in numbers. Judge John c. Bell
of Colorado, now beginning his fourth
term in the House. is the leader of the
party and the chairman of Its caucus.
He was also again the candidate of the
party for the speakership. an honor for
which he was twice before selected.
The House situation over the cur
rency bill has assumed serious as
pect from the Democratic standpoint
The six Brooklyn Democrats propose
to vote for the Republican bill. No
amount Of persuation has sufiiced to
change their minds. They say they
must vote for the bill, and declare that
the eastern Democracy must put itself
on record In favor of ''so,lnd money"
and the gold standard.
The House Saturday adopted n spe-
cal order for the consideration of the
currency bill, beginning Monday. The
general debate will continue until Fri
day, on Saturday amendments may be
offered under the five-minute rule, and
on the following Monday the vote will
be taken. The Democrats, Populsts
and Silverites presented n solid front
against the adoption of the resolution,
and every Republican voted for 1t.
Representative Bailey of Texas is
ready to protest against General Joe
Wheeler's admission to Congress
haiill l,la fi.cila NJ