Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-29
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Minor scenes and Incidents sketched
on the spot.

upper house so far as concerns the omni-
bus statehood bill, and can, il he Wills, pre-
vent consideration OF other matters until
a vote is had on the measure. But a vote
cannot be forced while any senator wishes
to ~prolons the conversation. MIR. Quay is
not as urgent in pressing the measure to
a vote as he was the fore part Of the week
and the reason is explained by the Wash
ington Post, which says. Upon the desk
OF Senator Nelson Of Minnesota there is a
big book. A queer light shines in the eye
of the North Star state senator as he totes
the book to the senate chamber every
morning. opens its broad pages. smoothos
out the same and studies complacently the
delicate band OF saffron colored ribbon
which marks the page in which he is so
keenly interested.
zone of these days there will be a lull in
the statehood debate, and Mr.. Quay will
demand a vote. since nobody is ready with
a speech. Then and there Mr.. Nelson will
lift the big book with it's band OF broad
saffron ribbon and address the chair. He
will send to the clerks desk to have read
the mighty tariff speech which made Sem
ator Quay famous some years ago in con-
nection with the Wilson bill.
1T will be several days thereafter before
the opposition orators need worry them
selves about filling time to prevent Mr..
Quay from reaching a vote"
The auction OF White House furniture
that has been discarded since the remodel
ing Of that building proved a disappoint-
ment so far as the prices brought by the
articles we're concerned. There was very
little competition at the sale, with the
result that many good bargains were
secured. The glass gas shades were sold
at Is cents apiece and a large bookcase
went for $3.50. The billiard table, which
was purchased by President Garfield,
brought forward a number of bidders. 1t
was in a dilapidated condition. Accom-
panying 1t were two old battered cues
marked &C. A.. A." and &C. A. A, Jr.," the
initials Of President Arthur and his son,
who were fond Of billiards.
Gas fixtures of ancient design we're
knocked down at insignificant figures and a
number of mirrors were sold cheap, owing
to the old fashioned manner in which they
were mounted. An 5000 chandelier, con-
tanning 400 pieces Of cut glass adornments,
was saved from the hammer by Colonel
Bingham, who ordered the piece sent to the
capitol. There were also chandeliers taken
from the East room, which we're superseded
by electric fixtures. A large sideboard,
beautifully carved, which was used in the
White House dining room for half a cen
fury. drew only a fair price, while a high
mantel OF antique design brought almost
nothing. There were twenty barrels OF
smaller ornaments, bric-a-brac, etc. Win
dow frames, CRATES and other furnishings
of like character we're sold at low prices to
contractors. who will dispose Of them to
collectors of curios.
Representative Mondell of Wyoming made
a speech on irrigation in the house. In
the course Of his speech he said:
"You must remember that we inherit as
a people, as viewed from an irrigation
standpoint, a very extraordinary rule for
the use of water, that rule under which the
bucolic owner of a few rods of reed
bordered shore along the lower courses OF
some great river system largely controls
its destiny, from its birth amid the snow
clad mountains, in its meanderings through
rich and fertile agricultural regions, past
mighty cities, to where it filings itself into
the bosom Of the briny deep
"Hoop-la!" shouted uncle" Joe Cannon
Colonel Theodore Bingham, superintend'
ent Of public buildings and grounds II
Washington. in his report to congress, ask
for an appropriation of $11O, 264 for the
White House for the coming year, against
S35, 900 for the present year. The repor'
SAYS: 1.-The recent changes in the White
House have resulted in a building far more
expensive to maintain than formerly. Tit
character OF the new fittings and new fur
nishings is such that repairs and replacing
, will be more expensive than before, and /
will be more expensive to replace special!
, designed silver doornobs and escutcheons
silver and gilt hinges, etc. Hardwood
|, floors and thing will require extra labor Il
a keep in order. More help will be needed
in the laundry, owing to the large famil!
which occupies the White House and tn,
large amount of entertaining done"
!, Washington is a paradise for the unfor
tunate blind. Not far from the city. in on,
Of the attractive suburbs, is one of tn
, most perfectly appointed colleges for tn
education of the blind in the United States
, or perhaps in the world. In the congress
sional library there is a reading room Sc
apart for the exclusive use of the blinl
: and stocked with books printed in raise
. letters. Attendants are on duty at al
: times to care for those who patronize thi
section OF the library. Once each week a
entertainment, generally a musicale, is held
As he sat in his seat the other mornin
> Senator Tillman thought of something. |
: was Just after Dolllver had delivered tn
tariff speech which caused such consterna
ton on the republican side Of the chamber
Tillman walked over to the Iowa man an
said: "Dolliver, do you know what Aldric
SAYS about you?" mo, what is it?" III
saws you remind him OF a mass meetln
and that all you need is a creased pole an
a merry-go-round to be a county fair.
Dolliver flushed up and looked over towar
Aldrich, but on reflection let the matte
n drop, not being quite sure, perhaps, tina
the southerner was telling the exact trutl
A young and enthusiastic reporter wen
e to see Senator Quay a few nights ago abou
some phase Of Pennsylvania politics. II
n found the senator reading in his librarl
o There was some general conversation. Jus
IS as the reporter was ready to spring hi
re first question, Senator Quay asked:
do you like to play poker?"
d Sometimes l play" the reporter cor
IT fessed.
Is We'll" said the senator, then you
IS like this little poker story by Eugeu
IS Ware. l think it is one Of the best