Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-04
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Etchinss of People and Events at the
National Capital.

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Etchings of People and Events at the
National Capital.
The bureau Of engraving and printing
has completed and stored away an oficial
portrait of President Roosevelt for future
use on postage stamps. currency and
medallions. tt oficlal vignette repre-
SCENTS what the president considers his best
photograph. It Is a two-thirds view, show
ing the president in the prime Of health.
He wears glasses and the familiar, low
rolled Roosevelt collar" Director Mere
dith of the bureau has just had framed a
complete set Of presidential vignettes from
Washington's to Roosevelt's inclusive.
Since the art of steel engraving was first
applied In this country these have been
made during the lives and administrations
Of their subjects. Once having been placed
upon any government security, 1t becomes
illegal to reproduce these of1cial portraits.
This is a wise precaution which the gov
eminent takes against the counterfeiting
art. It used to DO customary for secre-
taries of the treasury to issue sets Of presi-
dental vignettes to favored individuals,
but the passage Of the law forbidding re-
production OF any designs of figures on
money, securities or stamps OF any form
put an end to this practice.
"These vignettes," says the Washington
Star, ARE stored away for several reasons.
It is customary to honor dead presidents
by placing their features upon oficial
money Of the United States. Then. again,
II a president dies in ONCE an official
memorial souvenir is always prepared by
the bureau Of engraving and printing. This
bears the official vignette. Only dead
presidents are honored by the placing OF
their portraits upon government securities.
Oficial memorials are engraved as tributes
to only those who die in harness."
When Senator Warren Of wyoming rushed
to separate Tillman and McLaurin in the
senate chamber the other day, he must
have emembered rather wildly a scene
which was once enacted in the Wyoming
territorial legislature when he presided
over that body.
On that occasion two members, after
the free and easy manners Of the western
statesmen. wanted to secure a bill which
was upon the clerks desk and make away
with it. The stslwart legislators when
they attempted to seize the bill were con-
fronted by the clerk. A struggle ensued.
Senator Warren, as soon as he grasped
the situation, leaped from his chair and
pr~eoipitated himself upon the combatants.
Single-handed he separated three men,
rescued the bill, put the clerk back at his
desk and sent the two legislators to their
seats. Then he resumed his place as pre-
siding oficer.
"The house will come to order" was his
sole remark.
How did Senator Clark make his
money!" asked a constituent OF his sena-
tor In the marble room Of the senate, re-
ports the Washington Times.
"Come up to the gallery with me, and
I will show you" was the reply.
When they had reached the gallery the
senator pointed to Senator Clark working
az his desk. writing, plotting and stick
ing his pen behind his ear in true clerk
ship style.
That's the secret. work-work. all day
long. man puts In more solid hours
Of actual work at his desk in this body than
any OF his colleagues, and carries the
weight OF more enterprises than any man
h ever had a seat in the body"
A correspondent Of the Brooklyn Eagle
says President Roosevelt is not much Of a
reader Of newspapers. He will take a paper
and run his eye hurriedly over 1t, very
much as q business man might do on his
way to his once in the morning. President
Mckinley. on the other hand, was q perfect
glutton for reading the newspapers. He
not only perused the principal republican
papers Of the country, but he also read the
democratic sheets. He never depended upon
his subordinates or associates in once for
his information as to what the people OF
the country. through their newspapers.
thought Of his administrative actions. II
has been said that Mckinley kept his ear
to the ground. II a careful perusal OF the
newspapers Of the country meant keeping
his ear TO the ground. he certainly did.
When an editorial or a news dispatch
pleased him. Mckinley would speak to his
secretary. Mr.. Cortelyou. and request him
to communicate with the writer Of the said
article or dispatch and extend TO him the
presidents compliments and congratula-
lions for the article In question. The result
was hat the president had the good win
and liking. not only OF republican editors.
but Of many democratic editors. On one
occasion the proprietor Of a great eastern
independent democratic paper called on
him. In the course OF the conversation be-
tween the president and the newspaper man.
the latter said:
What is worrying me, Mr.. President, is
not that my paper supported the repub-
lican ticket during the last two Dresidsn-