Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-22
WASHINGTON CHITCHAT
Gossip About Public Men at the
 National Capital.
SPEAKER CANNON AT A RECEPTION
Uncle Joe's Comment on What He Saw There-A New Ambassador-A Lady Tells Why the President smales-Chaplain Hale and His Con- gre@ation.

People in Washington who have known Uncle Joe Cannon, the speaker, Tor number of years have been sur prised at the number of invitations he accepted this winter, says the Chicago Tribune's Washington correspondent. In fact, be is quite a ladies' man, in way. At the presidents reception to the diplomats at the White House re lank westerner, and the two stood at the north end of the east room in close confab for some time. At last the west. erner said to Uncle Joe:
 Pretty scene this-color, lights, beau tiful women, dazzling costumes, gold bedecked diplomats-a scene one must snng remember"
 Yes," replied Uncle Joe laconicaIly, Inspecting the crowd for some brother politician But 1t was the first time the westerner had ever been there, and he went on: Magnificent place this. Don't remember to have ever seen any thing finer"
 Yes." replied Mir. Cannon, ceasing to roll his eyes after the retreating form of Senator Hopkins, whom he wished to catch, and resting them on a batch of thin, uncovered spinsters a few feet from him, this reminds one of boarding house and chicken pie with the roof oil"
 Tn the years he has passed in St. Petersburg in the foreign service of the United States Herbert R. D. Peirce, the hird assistant secretary of state, adopt ed the Russian cap and fur coat as the best protection against severe cold Since the cold weather reached Wash ington a few weeks ago MT. Peirce has been wearing furs which he brought with him from Russia, says the New York Tribune. The high round cap of mink and broad coat collar and cuffs of the same fur are an unusual sight in Washington and have caused much comment. Before Christmas small chil- dren called him Kriss Kringle, and he has been taken for every foreign repre- sentative in Washington
 A few days ago MT. Peirce walked through the White lot wearing his f1rs. crowd of Pennsylvania schoolteach- CTS was standing under the porte CO., chere at the White House listening to the descriptions guide was giving of the government buildings which may be seen from the executive mansion The women lost all interest in build ings when Mr. Peirce appeared. The guides announcement, 'And this man you see coming up the walk is Count Cassini, the Russian ambassador" set half dozen cameras at work.
 By the way, lady of the official cir cle claims she has made discovery as to the origin of one of the presidents best known traits, says the Pittsburg Posts Washington correspondent. 1t Is the habit of keeping smile or the semblance of smile on his face on all occasions. "If you ever saw the presi- dent when he was forced to banish his . smile," this lady confided to a friend the other day, you would understand why it is he has acquired the habit of wearing it on all possible occasions I never saw him without 1t until the oth- CT day at Mrs. Hoar's funeral, and I give you my word don't want to see him without 1t again.
 tsNo one would call his face hand some or attractive, even when he looks his best and smiles his genialest. But when his face is 1n absolute repose and not only serious, but solemn-welI, it's enough to startle timid person. It's the most solemn human countenance Aou ever saw. He probably found that