Omaha daily bee., 1905-11-30
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Minor Scenes and Incidents Sketched
on the Spot.

Minor Scenes and Incidents Sketched
on the Spot.
The assembling of congress next Monday
is threatened with picturesque tragedy.
Ruthless reform demands the abolition of
the bouquet usually tossed to favorite
members. This beautiful custom hallowed
by age and spoils is to be slaughtered in
both house and senate. Orders are said to
have been issued by the ruling powers pro-
hibiting flowers in the respective chambers
and bearers of floral offerings are to be
halted on the thresholds and treated TO a
whitening frost. Only one reason is given
for this assault on the favors of posey
statesmen. 1t is claimed the beautiful Gus
tom is overworked and business obstructed.
This is as good as any for distant consump-
ton. Perhaps II the real reason were
known II would show a touch of envy on
the part of those whose desks on former
occasions were made conspicuous by the
absence OF flowers However, reform plays
no favorites these piping times and states
men must be satisfied with the regulation
pay check minus trimmings
Suicide lake, in spite OF its name, is one
OF the beauty spots of Washington. 1t is
on the grounds of the National Soldiers
home, formed by damming a little rivulet
that trickled through the place, SO many
veterans have drowned in this lake that the
governor OF the home found it necessary to
detail a keeper. This man pulls out vet
eran every day or two. No record has been
kept of the soldiers who have ended all in
the lake. but the list would be a long one,
as at least 100 suicides have taken place
there.
The lake is attractive to the veterans
They cluster on it's banks TO chat, smoke
and FISH.
The soldiers home is the only govern
ment institution at Washington not sup
ported by money drawn out of the federal
treasury. There should be no confusion in
anyone's mind between the National Sol
diers' home at Washington and those homes
for veterans OF the civil war which are
found scattered over the whole country.
The Washington home is the retreat OF
men Of the regular army and navy and is
maintained out OF a fund formed by de-
Quoting from the pay OF every officer and
enlisted man in the regular establishments
of 12h cents a month. Fines from court
martial and money due deserters is also
turned into the fund. The fund so far eX-
ceeds the cost OF maintenance that there
is now on deposit in the United States
treasury TO the credit Of the home more
than 100000.
The soldiers home Is one Of the most
beautiful and interesting places at the ma
tional capital. The grounds embrace 500
acres Of hilly or gently rolling land over
looking Washington. The grounds for the
most part, are heavily wooded in oak but
there are wide stretches OF lawn and field.
The crops OF corn and alfalfa grown in the
home grounds are among the best in the
country. Coursing through the grounds are
nine miles Of fine driveways. The fields
support a herd OF fifty blooded cattle.
There are 100 men at the home.
The sixty new republican members Of the
house. coming from many different states.
are making the lives OF the house officers
burden by Unprecedented demands for
patronage. There are something like $50
1 places, which In the years gone by, the
| famous hog combine" whereof Represen-
tative Tawney and Babcock are ruling spir-
/ its. have distributed with little friction.
No one member ever received as much as
/ he wanted, but there was no unseemly
scrambling. The new republicans from such
! states as Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and New
| York, who carried districts formerly dem
\ oeratic, not only make big demands but
/ are bringing men right on 10 Washington
/ 10 take the jobs. The clerk. postmaster
! dooTkeeper and seTgeant-at-aTms are at
{ their wits ends TO satisfy the clamorous
! newcomers
! The War and Navy departments at