The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-12-31
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TUESDAY. DECEMBER 81, 1901.
WASHINGTON LETTER


or S=.UuuV'O from CohSIeSS' AVi 'hS
needs are obvious and the department
is popular with senator's and represent
atives, partly because they can see the
good Il is doing and partly because 1t
furnishes them more material In the
shape OF publications and seeds with
which they can make complimentary
remittances to their constituents than
they can get from any other depart
ment.
The building is to be OF white marble
and Is to stand on the site OF the pres
ent inadequate building In the mall,
but II will be so much larger than the
old building that the two large wings
which II is TO have will be quite clear
Of the present site. and they can con-
seouently be built without disturbing
the operations of the department In the
old building. When the wings have
been finished. the department can
move into them and get along while
the central building is under construc-
ton The department ut present has
overtlowed into all sorts OF old dwell
inss and temporary wooden structures
which are not only shabby looking. hut
unsafe for the valuable collections OF
all kinds which are stored iu them.
VIII sci, Old Furniture.
Ma ior Alexander Mcdowell, the clerk
OF the house Of representatives. viii
present for the consideration OF the
buying public within couple OF months
ana Offering of antique furniture com
pletely dwarfng the stocks OF ancient
cabinet ware Of the largest dealers.
The Offering will comprise a large
portion of the furniture which has
done service in the house OF represent
atives as far back rs the mind OF the
oldest inhabitant runneth. pieces OF
patched up furniture fairly waterlog-
ged with traditions and heavy with
varnish.
Just prior to adjournment last spring
congress appropriated the sum OF STD
500 10 be expended in refurnishng the
hall. committee rooms. sergeant nj
arms office. etc. OF the house. and the
cash has been expended. The St3.1OU
worth OF new furniture has been placed
in position and the remnants Of other
DAYS are stacked away. dust covered
and battered mostly. among the mass
i've stone pillars and arches beneath
the rOtunda Of the capitol The law
xDprOpriaiing the money for the new
furniture also authorized the clerk
OF the house To dispose OF the old stun.
The date for it's disposition has not
been fixed. but the time will not BE-
long before III" auctioneer will have
the last word and the great mass OF
solid walnut aud varnisb will pass IN.
der the hammer.
The Toxa Too Large.
II do not object TO the style of your
overcoat." said Representative Bing
ham OF Pennsylvania to Senator Pen
rose. but il does not fl me- There
Is absolutely no doubt as to the accu-
racy OF the statement regarding th"
ct Of the coat. and considerable laugh
ter wss caused at the White House the
other day when Representative Bing-
ham put on an ov"rcOaf which be sup
Dosed TO be his own.
By mistake the Pennsylvania repre-
sentative had taken the outer garment
Of Senator PenrosH. Bingham pre-
scented 8 ludicrous spectacle. as Senator
Penrose Il Al least q feet . inches
and built IN proportion. while the repre-
sentative is man somewhat below the
average and as thin and dappcr as
hey make them.
The senatorial coat contained enough
material to make two garments for
the Representa- tive. who had some diff
Guilty In exiricatlng himself from the
immense folds OF what might be called
q mOderr senatorial toga.
Harmony on IrriEstion.
Representative f.. J. Burkett Of NJ.
brsska talked 10 the president the 9th
or morning about Irrigation OF western
ard lands. tie found the president
hearty advocate OF national aid for
this purpose. The western representa-
tives In congress have held several con
ferences the past summer to try 10 bar
monte on an acceptable measure for
presentation 10 congress Mr.. Burkett
has been the president Of the gather
ings, which have resulted ia an under.
standing that the western congress
men are 10 press irrigation legislation
from starf 10 finish. SO many sugges.
lions have been made about irrigation
and there have been 50 many bills h..
fore congress that there was never be-
fore any chance for action. The west.
ern congressman ace going 10 do better
from now Oh and are Ia high hopes ~
being successful.
a Lincoln Memorial.
Senator cuilom OF Illinois proposes
TO introduce a bin In the senate pro
yidlng for an appropriate memorial TO
Abraham Lincoln. TO be erected in this
city.
- wish 20 see a memorial that In ap.
and commensurate with the
great life OF Abraham Lincoln" he
said TO a Star reporter.
The location. cost and form which
this memorial II to take are matters
that he regards Of secondary impor-
lance.
Senator CuIlom'z bin VIII provide
that the memorial of Lincoln be located
IN accordance with the plans OF the
park commission. and he hopes a NJ.
ting design may he obtained by means
sf competition. 10 which the greatest
artists OF the world can be induced 10
compete.
Some OF the cabinet houses have been
open for some weeks 10 callers on
Wednesdays. but The regular public re-