The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-13
capital Chat.
Washington Gossip. Political and
Otherwise. for tho Readers
Of the Globe.

WASHINGTON, April 12.-(Special) =
Next Monday, April l6. viii be a happy
day for both the children and the grown
folks OF Washington. AS has been the
custom for many years Easter Monday
is associated with the rolling of eggs on
the beautiful green lawns of the White
house grounds, and Will be the means
of making many hearts, both old and
young, glad this year.
The scene in the spacious grounds back
of the executive mansion on Easter Mon
day Is one which will be remembered by
those who are eye- witnesses or partakers
In this Old and much enjoyed custom.
Here are gathered together the rich and
poor. each free to spend the day In max
ing merry in the many ways which are
known especially to Washingtonians.
The bright and many vari-colored eggs
rolling hither and thither down the pic
turesque hills and low mounds which
break the monotony Of the level, wide
spreading lawns form a pleasing picture.
Then, too, the Marine band furnishes ex-
celfent music for the visitors who come
to enjoy this spring celebration.
The grounds are opened at about 10
o'clock in the morning, and long before
that time crowds of women and children
especially are on hand, so that when the
gates are opened they take their choice
Of the pretty knobs down which In q
very short time the eggs begin to roll
and childish laughter is heard all over
the grounds. The late comers find them
selves somewhat crowded for. as the day
advances. the gathering becomes larger
and the scene more brilliant
Usually, In the afternoon. the president
and his wife, with friends, assemble on
the large and imposing back portico
where they view the crowd below and be-
yond, and there is, no doubt, feeling
Of happiness in the heart of the president
when he sees the merry gathering ana
knows that 1t was he who allowed the
public to spend day within his grounds.
With the famous Marine band playing
popular airs; the children, and quite Of
ten the older folk, some rolling eggs,
others amusing themselves in various
ways; groups of young people engaged in
conversation, or, perhaps, mild hirta-
ton; and older folks strofling about en-
joying the music, the splash of the water
in the sparkling fountain, and gazing at
the flowers laid out in original and beau
tiful designs. the spectacle makes
very great impression upon the observer,
and he goes away with the thought that
when another year rolls around this
scene will be enacted again, but not by
the same people who gather together this
year for q good time.
South Dakota is pretty certain to retire
its two Republican members and they will
be succeeded by Democrats or fusionists.
1t is predicted that nearly every congress
sional district in Nebraska will be anti
Republican next November. While the
gains to the Republicans In the North
western states may not effect the politics
in the next house of representatives. the
Democrats and fusionists will have some
assistance, it win be seen from the above,
from this section of the country. It has
been estimated here that if these states
should go Democratic including Washing
ton state, and James Hamilton Lewis is
one of the members elect 1t would not be
at all surprising to many Democrats If
he was elevated to the speakership in the
Fifty seventh congress. He made such
an excellent record as a parliamentardan
in the Fifty-fifth congress, that he has
many admirers In the present house, who
believe that he will be more capable Of
presiding over 1t than Representative
Richardson. Of Tennessee, the present
Democratic leader. 1t is known to be a
fact that the friends of Mr.. Lewis, should
he be elected to the Fifty-seventh con-
gress, and should this body be Demo-
cratic, will either push him for the speak
ership or for the floor leadership. Both
are important places and Lewis is looked
upon as a man capable of filing either
successfully. j. s. Van Antwerp.