The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-15

northernmost Of the old wings was
finished, and that was badly con-
structed. The senate chamber was
mostly of wood and plaster. The ro-
t,inda had not been built, though it's
foundations had been previously laid.
The representatives were at flrst
crowded into a room intended for the
senate officials, but temporary apart
ment, known as the "oven," was soon
arranged for It In the south wing.
The house in 1908 took possession Of
the chamber now known as "Statuary
Hall" The senate held its first de-
!lberations in it's originally designed
quarters, now occupied by the S,l-
preme court Of the United states. The
complete plans for the then new
capitol did not, of course. anticipate
the great iron dome and the two i'm
posing marble wings which grace the
great capitol of today.
Congress first deliberations in Wash
ington were quite as uninspring as the
unfinished edlfce in which they were
held. When called together, Nov. II.
the senate and house had to adjourn
until the next day for want of quor
tlm. and the senate continued to ads
when the necessary number appeared.
Saturday, Nov. %, President Adams
visited the capitol and addressed the
members of both houses gathered to-
gether in the senate chamber. Rep
resentatives in those days wore their
hats during sessions Ladies were eX-
cluded from the galleries.
PERQUISITES OF EARLY LEGIS-
LATORS.
Crns filled with Scotch snuff were
placed in each house. and employees
were charged with the duty of keeping
them filled. In the senate and house
were employed official 'pen-makers.
who mended the goose quilts then in
common use. There were also official
sealers, intrusted with the sealing of
letters and packages with red wax.
The stationery" furnished in both
houses included "pen-knives, scissors,
razors, pocket-books. kid gloves, per-
fumery, bears grease. and an limo
cent beverage called swichell,' among
whose ingredients were good French
brandy and Jamaica rum. This was
always charged to the stationery" ap-
preparation as syrup"
The members of congress We're any
thing but pleased with their new abid-
ing place. THE comparison they drew
between this place and Philadelphia,
wrote a pioneer, was by no means
complimentary to us. At this time
there were but few places in the city
suitable for members to board at.
Some Of them went to Georgetown and
boarded at the Union Tavern. some
stopped at the Six and Seven build
ings, and others in part of the city
where they could find accommoda ions.
The discomfort which prevailed among
them was so great that it was feared
that the seat Of government would be
removed from Washington. In fact, I
believe the attempt was made. but for
tunately failed
SALARIES LOW AND LIVING
CHEAP.
The salary of member of con-
gress was then but So a day. OF the
houses it was written in 1900: 'The
few that have been let are at rents
none under $3.50 and $500. Provisions
are plenty, good enough, and cheaper
than in Philadelphia. You can buy
penny bit; garden at II cents a quart"
The Supreme court uf the United
States seeing that no preparation had
been made for it in Washington. con-
tinued to meet in it's comfortable
Philadelphia quarters until February
=. 1901. Its members, like those of
congress. We're loath to begin their
duties. Two adiournments had to Re
taken before there appeared. on Feb
rlary 4, a sufficient number to do
business. The first meeting was held
in the basement of the old capitol
in rooms provided for one of the SEN
ate committees.
The faster the population of WASH
ington grew during this first eventful
year. the more bitter and caustic he
came the invectives OF her critics.
"CITY OF MAGNIFICENT DIS
TANCES."
Georgetown was called "a city OF
houses without streets" Washington,
"a city Of streets without houses" The
Abbe Correa de Sierra, Portuguese min
ister was speaking in sarcasm when he
called the new capital "a city of mag
nitlcent distances now proudly APP
pueu. strangers, aItet Visiting tnS
offices Of state, are apt to inquire for
the city while in It's very center" wrote
e. w. Janson. an English visitor.
Quail and other birds" said he, ARE
constantly shot within hundred yards
OF the capitol during the sitting of the
houses of congress" New York. Phila-
delphia, New England and indeed,
even foreign newspapers, waxed face
tious in their descriptions OF the new
seat Of government. In fact, poor
Washington was the laughing stock OF
the world. Tom Moore, just entering
poetic fame. visited the city in 1904. Its
spectacle provoked this satire from his
pen:
In fancy now beneath the twilight gloom
Come, let me lead thee Ger this modern Rome,
Where tribunes rule, where ,l,lsky Davids how,
And what WAS Goose Creek is Tiber now.
This iam'd metropolis, where fancy sees
squares in morasses, obelisks In trees:
Which TRAVELLING fnnls and gcyat t.p,. ,,larn