The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-26
GOSSIP H CAPITAL
Eagles Special Correspondent
Sends a Spicy Budget
MOVEMENTS OF KANSANS
Pathetic Story of the Cold
Heart of 0fficiaIiSm.

/ that has been accomplished in less than
three weeks that congress has been in
session. Usually there is not much done
before the holiday recess, but when con
gress took this recess yesterday. 1t was
with the satisfaction Of knowing that
many things had been accomplished
The legislative and urgent deficiency
appropriation bills have been passed in
the house. and also the Grout bill Next
/ came the bill 10 amend the war revenue
/ bill. and there have been two days when
minor bills were considered and many
/ passed. The army bill. providing Tor a
/ reorganization OF the army. and making
+ appropriation for its maintenance IS one
of the big things done by the house this
session.
In the senate, the Nicaraguan canal
bill, the shipping subsidy bill and the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty have occupied
about all the time, yet much routine bus
mess and many combinations have help
ed to Ill 10. and make the senate ses-
sions as busy as those OF the house. There
are less definite results in the senate for
the past three weeks than IN the house.
but the treaty and cana bin are much
nearer definite results than they were
then.
After the recess, beginning January ;.
both houses VIII be as busy as beehlves
until adjournment There is a great deal
done and this congress proposes 10 do It
One of the results Of the past week is
the added estimation in which Senator
Hanna of Ohio is held among the states
men and public men Since the speech
the junior senator from Ohio made on
the shipping subsidy bin, his fame has
grown anew and he now wears laurels,
which he did not possess before Mr.
Hanna's speech lasted three hours, and
competent judges who heard him say that
it was the best speech that has been
made in congress for years. 1t was clear
and concise and sensible. and told just
why the improvement OF cur merchant
marine was 6. necessity.
One surprising thing in connection with
the amendment of the war revenue act
IS the fact that while representatives OF
all other affected classes and industris
early set out to importune members, per
sonally and by letter. and to defend and
argue their reasons Tor reduction Of rev
enue IN their lines, the bankers Of the
country did not do so until the bill prac-
tically passed the house Early last
spring, there were hearings before the
committee OF ways and means granted to
representatives Of certain of these ele-
ments. Ever since, members mail has
been foaded with petitions and letters
arguments. All the time the bankers
have been silent. Now the house has
passed the bill which takes the tax on Of
bank checks, certificates Of deposit. drafts
conveyances etc. but not of Of capital
and surplus Of banks And now the
bankers are awakening and writing vigor-
Gus letters
As the end Of the presidents first ad-
minlstratiOn draws near It is timely 70
observe the work which has been done
by some Of its members, and none IS
more interesting or more filed with
achievements which are the pride Of kan
sas than that of Joseph L. Bristow,
fourth assistant postmaster general
In 1897 Mr.. Bristov was private sec
rotary to Governor Morrill,. at that time
just leaving the state house. Mr. Brls-
tow was not very wei known nor his ca
pabilities exactly the talk OF the state
z
the nomination for congress in the Fifth
district against Mr.. Calderhead In 1898:
had been known IN newspaper circles: hal
been secretary Of the Republican state
central committee in 1854 and 1855. and
his position as private secretary to the
governor had brought him In close touch
with Leland and other leaders. but he had
not won any great amount OF fame. SO
II was that when he was selected for bis
very important position IN the Mckinley
administration. some doubt was expressed
az TO his ability 70 discharge the duties
OF the same and measure up 20 IT'S re-
sD7nsibiHues
Four years have passed. The work of
Mr.. Bristow has amply satisfied the
doubters and elated the friends 81 the
Kansan VINO came here in the early days
Of the administration 70 90 big things iu
a big Office There is no criticism - him
now. and everyone from president down
recognizes his ability The arduo1s dpt-
les have not had their terrors Cor the
Kausau. and the slightest detail has been
attended To with care. Brlstow SIS a per-
feet engine when il comes 70 force The
work which would have exhausted many
men has been as play 70 him The cares
and rasDo1s.b .li-ies have been as nothing
ana The work he has 6oue has surprised
everyone Nothing has been TOO bz
nothing too little for B-'stow.
But i. remained f5r the Caban posta
scandals 5f Lass summer ~ show saa
PRECEDENT ana the postmaster general
what B-is-ew could d. ne had COM
plets charge and bis c7earres of mia1