The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1900-12-16

been completely overhauled. Altogeth-
er the congressional recess has been an
exceedingly busy time for the archi-
tect's office.
Speaking of capitol betterments, ii
may be noted that there is strong sen
timent in favor Of improving and beau
tifying the rotunda. One suggestion is
to line the walls with Siena marble
SINH" Vat used in the Library of
Cor it is said that this would
blci with the colOrS Of the
frieze . dome than anything else.
The contemplated improvements would
include a mosaic floor instead Of the
old granite slabs and the removal Of
the fluted columns around the walls,
which now appear as II they were COM
posed of plaster of paris. The beauti-
full entrance to the new committee
rooms. consisting Of marble columns
with carved capitals and marble side
wallis and ceilings, serves to throw into
unfavorablc contrast the dingy rotun-
da. and many senator's and representa-
tlveS have commented upon it.
Another matter in connection with
the capitol building which concerns the
representatives in congress is what is
to be done with the additional mem
hers of the house which It Is supposed
that the reapportiOnment bill will pro-
vide. There is apparently no way with
the present accommodations to seat y
additional members, and it is probable
a. 1, oh
In the hall of the house.
The reappOrtiOnment question, which
comes to the front as a result Of the in
creased population as shown by the
twelfth census. is likely to precipitate
a pretty lively fight in which the party
lines will be sharply drawn. The forces
Of the minority will be marshaled by
Congressman James D. Richardson, the
Democratic leader of the house.
Since the last session of congress Mr..
Richardson has. by the way, been the
recipient Of a new honor, one Of which
even his most pronounced political op-
ponents freely recognize that he is en-
tirely worthy. He is now one of the
most exalted Masons in point of rank
In the United States, being the sOver-
eign grand commander of the southern
Jurisdiction, Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, to which
position he succeeds through the death
of the late Grand Commander Thomas
Hubbard Caswell. who died in Califor-
MIA a few weeks ago. The officers of
the Scottish Rite, unlike all others In
Masonry, hold their rank and stations
for life. and Mr.. Richardson. who was
lieutenant grand commander. becomes
In the order of succession the grand
commander.
In executive. diplomatic and even
congressional circles there is just now
not a little Of speculation and comment
as to what will he the outcome of the
tangle I'm the Levant. which Is brought
into prominence by Turkeys rejection
of request for an exeQnatur for an
American consul at Karput and the
dispatch Of the battleship Kentucky to
Smyrna. The refusal to grant an ex-
equatur Is regarded by the United
States legation at ConstantinOple as a
violation of treaty rights. Consequent
ly Or. Thomas II. Norton, who was ap-
pointed some time ago by President
Mckinley to establish a consulate at
Karput. has been directed to proceed
to his post He has been in CONSTANT
nople some time awaiting the issuance
OF his exequatur. The Slain of the
United States In bis case Is based upon
q clause in the Turco-American treaty
of 1890 which reads, THE United
States may appoint their citizens to be
cOnsuls and vice consuls at the COM
mercial places In the dominiOns of the
Sublime porte where 1t shall be found
needful to superintend the affairs of
commerce" The sultan claims-and it
Is difficult to prove the contrary-that
there is no commerce at the place In
question. the same objection made to
the establishment of a consulate at
Erzerum. Furthermore. he claims that
his final permission In the case of Erze-
rum was obtained under an implied I'M
Outstanding that the United States gov