St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-12-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.
[snecial Corresnondence.l

Too much "rubbering" will probably
cause a second story to be added to the
new executive office west of the White
House The cabinet room in the new
| building is in the northwest corner
facing the White House grounds. The
executive office was built low for the
purpose of not detracting from the
commanding appearance of the White
House, and the windows open on the
ground.
At the first meeting of the cabinet in
the new building the big windows were
surrounded by a gaping crowd most of
the time to the great annoyance of the
president and his advisers. Several of
the secretaries discussed the urgent
necessity of securing more secluded
quarters for a meeting place. They
realized that when the White House
grounds are thrown open again on the
completion of the improvements the
crowds around the windows at every
cabinet meeting would be greatly aug
mented, and they felt they ought not to
be so exposed. There is no other room
in the building in which the cabinet
can meet The suggestion of adding
another story to the building has been
made, and it is being quietly, but pow
erfully, pushed.
Flags of the COnfederacy.
Since the wave Of excitement which
swept over the country when Cleveland
preached the subject of returning the
captured flags of the Confederacy
these colors have reposed in the top of
the war department. Year by year
they have grown dustier, resting undis-
turbed. Recently one of the officials
inaugurated a thorough cleaning up Of
the garnet in which the flags were
kept. The dirt of summers was swept
out, and now in clean and tidy array
there reposes group of hundreds of
banners, each furled around it's staff
and all resting back against the white
washed wall of the tiny room at the
war department. Against the side of
the wall nearest the door are many of
those once taken by the Confederates,
but recaptured and sent to the depart
ment. The great number comprises
those which once led the Confederates
to battle and are now ranged along the
length of the room.
In this array there are 100 flags,
thirteen having been captured from
Alabama regiments, six from Arkansas,
seven from Florida, twenty-five from
Georgia, five from Louisiana, one from
Kentucky, eleven from Mississippi,
twenty nine from North Carolina, eight
from South Carolina, five from Ten
nessee, four from Texas and fifty-four
from Virginia.
"UncIe Joe" and the Portraits.
Mr. Cannon was hurrying through
the long corridor just between the
chamber of the house Of representa-
tives and the lobby where members
lounge and chat. He had recently had
his iron gray whisllers trimmed more
neatly than heretofore, 1t is the only
badge of newly acquired honor that
he wears. There was a group Of
congressman and newspaper men at
one end Of the corridor, who detected
"Uncle Joe" casting furtive glances at
the walls where hang portraits of fer
mer speakers of the house. "Ah, ha!'
called out scribe. you're looking up
there wondering how you'll look when
your picture takes it's place among the
others" Mr.. Cannon actually blushed.
"Well, boys" he said as he Familiarity
greeted every one in the party, you
know it was Mr.. Dingley who said
that he took a certain pride in his per
sonal appearance, and if the governor,
who was never accused of being hand
some, could do so, why not ~ And
Uncle Joe" has never taken a beauty
prize.
Henry, where were you born?
asked joking member of the house
the other day of Henry Neal, colored
messenger of the speaker and an in
teresting character about the capitol
for many years.
Born, sab? Yes, sab. l was born
in Illinois, fo suah, sah," was the re-
ply.
well, you'll have to revise that.
Mr.. Cannon was born in North Caro-
lima" And the crowd of statesmen in
the lobby broke into a hearty laugh at
the messengers expense.
"Oh, that's easy, sah," was Henry's
last word
They tell of Henry that he has been
born in the native state of every speak
er since Mr.. Keifer and has thus been
able to land the office of messenger.
1t was all very nice and plausible in
the cases Of Mr.. Carlisle and Mr.. Crisp,
who came from the south. 1t was
quite strain to shift way up to Maine
when Mr.. Reed became speaker, but
Henry's most awful moment came
when he learned that General Hender-
son was born in Scotland. He took
the plunge, however, and retained his
place.
Coal Operator Out of Fuel.
Representative j. a. Beidler Of Cleve-
land presents the unusual spectacle