The times., 1899-11-14
TEE HALLS OF CONGRESS.
Everything in Readiness Tor the
Coming Of Legislators.

Everything in ReudTness for the
Coming o7 Legislators.
The Capitol building is practically in
readiness 10 receive the members e the
Fifty-sizth Congress. The usual repairs
have been completed for The most part,
and The renovation ana painting is also
iH the finishing stages. The corridor has re-
eeivtc an entirely new dress OF terra Gotta
and god, the several pieces of sJatuary
there have been cleaned and remounted,
and the pictures have been Tetouched and
placed ia newly giided frames.
Ine ladies' reception room has been dec
. Grated in q delicate tint Of terra Gotta and
pink. with a prcfusion OF gold Paintings
representing War. Peace, Education. and
Art have been artisticalIy executed on the
ceiling. and the cheerful appearance Of the
room now Is pleasant contrast from its
former condition.
All Of the committee rooms have been
treated to liberal supply o. paint, new
furniture, and new carpets, and their ap-
p5aranc= is inviting
In the room occupied By the Committee
on Naval Affairs. Of the House, portion Of
the cid carpet that was on the floor of the
House has been used. The portion used
was thoroughly cleaned and it looks now
like new carpet.
Captain Bouteue, who hopes TO be re-
tanned as chairman o. this committee, was
given this carpet by his request and its
olive green color certainly adds much TO
the charm OF the room
The committee room Of the Committee
on Appropriations has received a hand
some red carpet and some tapestry OF the
same hue. Joseph Cannon has long been
chairman OF this committee and it is un-
derst0Cd that Mr. Henderson has promised
20 let him retain the place when the com
uittees are announced by the new Speaker
The corner room, occupied by the Com
mittae 0n Public Buildings and Groun5s
has likewise been Tepaiuted and bright
carp rs and neat curtains have replaced old
ones. David II. Mercer. chairman OF this
committee viii probably b retained in
this position, for he il, perhaps. more ia
miiiar with its business than any other
member Of the House
The walls and ceiling of the Interstate
and Foreign Commerce Committee pre-
sided over by Colonel Hepburn have been
newly painted. the furniture upholstered
and the excellent carpet cleaned. Colonel
Hepburn is hopeful oi retaining the chzir-
Uausnip Of this committee.
The changes to be made in the Sera' @
chamber viii be few, and viii consist prin-
cipally Of a thorough cleaning. In the
House proper new carpet will be lad
as VII also be the case in the cloak
rooms. There viii be no furniture worth
I mentioning added this year because Of the
+ iusufIicieney OF tae appropriations and
. also because the House is expected 10 take
action or the report Of the committee
I appointed a the last session to determine
I the sdyisabiity OF reducing the s.ze OF the
House chamber and excluding desks used
/ by Congressman therefrOm.
This committee fayors separate rooms
. 10 open in the chamber wherein the s
may be placed and be kept ready for the
use of the members. This plan. If adop, ed
would lessen the amount Of space required
by more than a third. and former Speaker
+ Reed favored the proposition, for, as he
said ia respect to the matter the chamber
Is nov so large that members on opposite
sides OF the House find IL imposslbI TO
hear all. and, sometimes, any, OF the re
marks made iu debate"