The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-22
NATIONAL CAPITAL GOSSIP.
CONGREssMEN NOW HAVE ATrRAC-
TIVE AUDIENCES.


in senator CInrE's Case-Ex-speak-
er Reed Disguised.
Washington. Feb. 2l-Pau.otsm, politics
and petticoats are the headline attrac-
TORS at the national capital this week
With the Hawaiian bill in the Senate che
Porto Rican bill under consideration in
the House, budding statesmen have ample
opportunity 10 pour their patriotic views
into the Congressional Record for the
benefit of their respective constituencies.
Senators and representatives enga ging
in the discussion Of our new colonial poll
ley are in better luck than those who fig
ured in the financial debate last week
The presence in Washington at this time
OF the members of the National Demo-
cratic Committee and the small army of
political camp followers who accompany
these national gatherings, has increased
the attendance a the Capitol.
Added 10 the crowd attracted here by
the contest over the site for the next
Democratic Convention is that distln-
guished body of American women, the
Daughters of the American Revolution.
They are here by the hundreds to attend
their annual conference. and they are
billed for a week s stand at the Grand
Opera House. When not engaged in their
official deliberations The Daughters of the
Revolution naturally turn their steps to-
wards the Capitol and listen to the discus
eions in progress in both branches of the
national Legislature. Representing the
highest type Of American womanhood
these handsomely gowned ladies', wearing
the badge of their ilustrlous order. are
the recipients Of many courtesies from the
congressional representatives of their re-
spectve states
Debate for the Ladies'.
So eager were certain senators to air
their knowledge Of the constitution and
the history Of the trainers Of that mighty
instrument before the Daughters of the
Revolution that debate on that subject
was gotten up for their express editica-
ton and entertainment Monday after
noon. Several hours were consumed in an
academic discussion OF the constitution
by Senators Gallinger Of New Hampshire,
Foraker of Ohio. Lindsay of Kentucky.
Tillman of South Carolina, Harris Of
Kansas, Caffery of Louisiana and Hoar
of Massachusetts,. This ponderous subject
was hitched on to an innocent proposition
by Senator Hale to inquire why a local
telephone company refused to reduce the
yearly rental of it's phones to $50, in ac-
cordanoe with a special act of Congress
directing them to reduce their charges to
subscribers When Senator Hale introduce
ed his resolution of inquiry. the galleries
were crowded with Daughters of the Rev
oution. and these vain senator's could no.
resist the temptation to talk patriotism
for the benefit of their distinguished fe-
male guests.
Against Senator Clark.
Indications point to an adverse report
by the Committee on Elections in the
case Of Millionaire Senator Clark from
Montana. Those who have followed the
hearing before the committee and observed
closely the questions put TO witnesses by
members of the committee have not failed
to note that the sentiment of the commit
tee is against Senator Clark. His admis-
sion that he spent S115,O00 to secure his
seat in the Senate was a very damaging
confession While the prosecution has
not been able 20 fix a specific case Of
bribery on Senator Clark, the concensus
of opinion seems to be that he spent too
much money in his campaign and made
too many cash presents to political work.
ers in Montana efter his election to avoid
the suspicion that there was something
crooked in the transaction 1t Is freely
predicted in the committee room that his
seat will be declared vacant by the COM
nittee, the Republicans and several of
the Democrats joining in such report.
II such result is obtained it will be
due largely TO the rigid cross-examination
or witnesses by Senator Chandler. chair
man of the committee. In many instances
he has been more successful In extracting
damaging evidence from witnesses than
the able array of prosecuting attorneys
headed by the venerable George r Ed
munds, former senator from Vermont. In
many instances where the prosecution
mil
I've replies to questions, Senator Chandler
look hold of a witness and by series
OF adroit and cunning Intermediates
wormed out of the witness statements
which could not be other than damag-
ing to Senator Clark
Ex-speaIxer Reed Disguised.
When former Speaker Reed smble1 into
the House of Representatives last Mon
Gay ne found Serene Payne, the leader
or the Republican majority. engaged in
Debating the Porto Rican tariff hill OF
course, Mr.. Reed received something of
an ovation from his former associates on
poth SIDES or the chamber. He fingered
a Few minutes to survey the scene Of his
former greatness, apd there was nothing
on the surface to Indicate that he was
greatly missed from that august body
speaker Henderson seemed TO have The
Rouse IN perfect control, and members
Were deporting themselves with due de-
corum equal 10 that which prevailed under
tne Reed regime, with one glaring excep-
ton. AS Mr.. Reed glanced around the
chamber look of pain passed over his
round, babyish face as he observed pair
OF number 10, thicl<-soled shoes elevate
upon desk located in the center Of the
Republican circle. The owner of the shoes
ana the feet in them was a Maine states
man Representative Charles E. Llttlefield
OF Rockland, who succeeded the late Will
lam Dlneley, author of the Dingley tariff
Dill. IL was a very Notifying spectacle
70 Mr. Reed TO see one of his own people
IN such an attitude, so he left the House
IN disgust. When he was Speaker and a
member dared 10 elevate his feet on
desk the Speaker promptly sent a messen-
ger to the offender with the requst that
the Objectionable features" be slowed
away under the desk.
4 Fool Jury.
From the New York Press.
A lon fs1vx l.