Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-05
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Minor scenes and incidents slSetched
on the spot.

For years unnumbered a beverage com
monty known as cold tea has been sold
in the capitol restaurant, where statesmen
and their friends secured their midday
lunches. This beverage has been classed as
inspiration for statesmen and has a rcputa-
ton. when taken in moderate doses, OF
producing volumes Of speech ~rivaling the
output Of Quay and Morgan when talking
against time. But the beverage Is to be
banished at last. That is to say, It will not
be a saleable commodity. Congress has de-
creed that "cold tea" and kindred decoc-
tions shall not be sold within the limits Of
the capitol building in Washington. Such a
provision has been Incorporated in the new
immigration bill, which has become a law.
Washington is fast becoming a city Of
monuments and statues. President Roose-
welt has signed q bill providing for the erec-
tion OF two more statues in the national
capital-one OF Brigadier General Count
Pulaski and the other of Major General
Baron Won Steuben, both Of revolutionary
fame. The sum of $50, 900 is appropriated
for each. and II is probable that both will
be erected in Lafayette Square, opposite
the White House, where already stand
beautiful statues of lafayette and
Rochambeau. These directly face the White
House, and the nun Of steuben and
Pulaski are to be placed on the opposite
corners, one near the Arlington hotel and
the other Just across the street from the
famous Decatur and Corcoran houses. In
the center Of this square stands an eques-
trian statue Of General Andrew Jackson, Of
doubtful artistic value. In view Of the fact
that the square is to be occupied by statues
- &c.. %
ing American independence-two French
men, one German and one Pole-Represen-
tative Bartholdt OF Missouri, who intro
duced the bill for the Steuben statue, has
suggested that the Jackson statue be re-
moved to some other location, and that the
park be called Revolutionary Square"
Justice Shiras of the supreme court
builded better than he knew some months
ago when he determined to resign. He was
urged to remain on the bench a little
longer, for which request there were good
and sufficient reasons affecting the judicial
business. Finally, the justice yielded and
continued to serve till Justice Day was
named as his successor.
Thereby Justice Shiras has again proven
the wisdom Of the old adage that things
come to the man who waits. II he had re-
tired some months ago, as was his purpose,
he would draw a salary OF $40, 900 annually
the rest of his life. But in the meantime
congress has gone on and enacted a law
for increasing the salaries of judges, so
that Justice Shiras will go on the retired
roll at an annual salary of $12, 500 a year
an increase Of $4,000 annually over what he
would have otherwise received. Accord
ingly, the learned justice by ~tarrying
earned that sum annually.
President Roosevelt is having a great deal
Of fun with Secretary Moody these DAYS.
He tells his little joke to every member
Of congress who visits the White House.
my secretary of the navy has broken
down." says the president to his callers.
Moody has nervous prostration and his
doctors have sent him on a months sea
voyage"
"Overwork?' naturally asks the visitor.
mo, the heavy round OF social duties
He cannot stand much. He gave one dinner
and that completely unnerved him. HI
gave it at the hotel, where everything was
got up for him. Mrs. Dewey invited all
the guests. He had a guard OF marines
to see that everything was all right. He
did not do a thing but eat the dinner
Since then he has been in a state of col
lapse. 1t is wonderful how delicate these
bachelors are"
Then the president laughs loud and long
Senator Tom" Plat was lingering Z
gilt-edged book that had come to him II
the mail. He seemed so much interested
in 1t that Senator Quay asked what HI
was reading.
"This," explained the New York boss,
as he turned the pages slowly, rs a reprin'
of a curious volume much thought Of b!
William Penn and his followers, but whicl
/ am told is scarcely known among thei
descendants"
"And what is It called?" asked tn,
Pennsylvania statesman.
Platt tossed it on Quay's desk. 1t wa
the bible.
When a southern representative is a
home, he has as his servant a good oil
colored man, called SNOWFALL. who standi
in ostensible awe Of his employer. On,
day, while waiting on the table, relates tn,
Washington Post, SNOWFALL accidental!
spilled the soup on the person of his con
gresham. With apparent indignation tn
southerner shouted:
Snowfall, you black rascal, do you know
you nave scalded a representative IN tn
United States congress?'
"Fo' de Lawd, ah knows dat, but al
really didn't mean fer to do it,"
do you know, you scoundrel," continue
the congressman, in still more violen
terms, that you have scalded a man VIII
may be senator OF the United states?"
snowbalTs face took on a still more seri
GUS look and he again apologized mos
abjectedly, but his master was not salts
fed.
SNOWFALL" he roared, you have scalde
a man who may yet be president OF tn
United States"
snowball's face relaxed and two CLEAN
ing rows Of worries came into prominence.
"Lawd, mistah," said he, when yo
gets 10 be president / reckon I'll be Gawd.
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