Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-04
BITS oF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Minor Scenes and Incidents sketched
ON The spot.

m the Spot.
Scenes Of interest we're
enacted in the national capitol during the
closing hours OF congress which the tumult
and the shouting OF relieved congressman
did not wholly eclipse. Probably the
United States Is the only country in the
world" says the Chicago Record Herald
correspondent, that could present such a
scene as we saw in the presidents room
at 5 o'clock this Tuesday, afternoon. This
gorgeous apartment-one Of the show
places Of the big capitol-is just of the
senate chamber. The president had just
come from the laying of the cornerstone
Of a church, and congress had had to wait
an hour and a half for him. He sat down
at a table and seven Of the members OF
his cabinet gathered about.
"Oficials Of the senate and house laid
before Mr.. Roosevelt many bills and reso-
l%utions, to which he affixed his signature
one after another. He was supposed to
consult the members Of his cabinet, but he
did not. He went It alone, and signed his
name as fast as he could make his fingers
move. The members or the cabinet saw
that they were not needed, and so they
drifted off to the edges Of the room to chat
and smoke.
Boxes Of cigars we're at hand and also
q DIX DOWl OF lemOndQe. senators ana
representatives and newspaper correspond
ents and page boys came in and there was
a general renewal Of acquaintanceship and
a right good feeling all around. The presi-
dent joked and exchanged sallies with beet
sugar senators while afixing his signature
to the big, formidable looking bills. Cigar
smoke was everywhere. Laughter also. II
was a truly democratic crowd, a character
istic American gathering. There was dig
nifty enough, but no stiffness. And business
was done in an easy, comfortable way"
There is only one provision I want in
this BILL" said Chairman Hepburn of the
house conference committee to the senators
who were advocating the. Panama route.
Il want it to contain a provision making
it mandatory upon the commissioners to
live on the isthmus of Panama"
"Why do you want that sort of a fool
clause in the bill?" inquired Senator
Hanna.
Because" said Mr.. Hepburn, "among
the thousands of graves of laborers build
ing the canal l want to see the grave Of
an American canal commissioner here and
there. 1t would be a monument to our IN
selfish purpose as we'll as to the Panama
climate"
The senate conferees refused to grant
Mr.. Hepburn's request and now he is say
ing that they admitted that Panama was no
place for a white man to live.
A time-honored feud exists between
Colonel Montgomery, the chief Of the White
House telegraph force, and Arthur Sim
mons, one Of the colored doorkeepers.
Colonel Montgomery has served at the
White House telegraph wire continuously
aN--- TOII
every president, with the exception Of Har-
rison, since the days of Lincoln. The
cramped quarters in the temporary White
House are the cause OF the numerous
clashes that are taking place between these
ancient foes.
The other day Colonel Montgomery was in
a hurry to get to the telegraph room, which
Is on the top floor Of the new building. As
he hurried down the narrow hall he jostled
Arthur. A heated argument followed, dur
ing which Simmons asserted that he was
deserving more consideration, for, besides
being an old man. he was a member OF one
OF the first families of Virginia.
Yes" retorted Montgomery, "one Of the
first to rush to Washington and get a Job
after Lincoln had emancipated you"
Huh" returned Arthur, "you got your
Job without ever bein' '~mancipated."
The hrst Cuban minister, Senior Gonzalo
de Quesada, and his family have taken
apartments at Chevy Chase inn, In the near
suburbs of Washington, pending the selec-
ton Of a permanent home for the legation.
The minister's wife is yet in her early EOS
"a typical Guiana who speaks no English.
They have one child, an infant daughter
named Aurora. Senior Quesada Is very
small, very dark, with the Soulful" eyes
of fha CraO1a 1On0 hair hruahad efrafab4
back from a d~isproportionate broad brow,
the most ladylike hands and feet ever seen
on a man, Of whose smallness rumor says
he is rather proud.
OF all the peculiar ways Of making a liv-
ing in Washington there is one man who is
unique. He is an old German and he says
that he is a "chiropodist to canary birds"
The old fellow goes about cutting the talons
or claws Of canary birds. Birds in captivity
are unable to keep their talons to the proper
length and they curl up, causing the bird
great pain. II they are not properly cut
the bird is likely to die. and this old man
goes from house to house trimming the
birds talons.
Representative McAndrews Of Chicago
tells a story showing the way Washington
hotels are conducted.
II was paying the hotel nearly my entire
salary as a congressman for my meals
and lodging" he said, when I became
indisposed and called a physician. He de-
cided that the Washington climate did not
agree with me and prescribed a tonic.
After l had secured the medicine l found
that I had no teaspoon with which TO
measure the dose, so l went to the hotel
cafe for one. They gave me one of those
plated AFFAIRS that sell for about go cents
a dozen. The medicine corroded II badly,
but l must confess that l was somewhat
shocked to see an item on my monthly
bill Of $1.25 for the teaspoon. The hotel
keepers have got so much nerve here that
guests have not the heart to kick"
There are many kinds OF raiment from
day TO day in the house" says the Wash
ington Post, but Judge Stark Of Nebraska
is decidedly unique. When he needed a
cool suit for his rounded figure he bought
a suit Of khaki in a local establishment and
had It built on broad proportions. He
looms up like a lone soldier on the horizon
Of the hall, designated by the rear row
OF seats.
"Just in front OF him sits Mr.. Adamson