Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-01-17
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondence

| 4uU kOlGiHn COAIAultbCCc Va tAO wv
houses of congress will shortly b.
called upon to make an appropriation
for the purchass-of the gift or gifts 10
Ras Makonnen, the real boss Of Abys
Blnia. Ras is sending batch OF gift
10 this country through Consul Skinnel
at Marseilles.
Ras wrote to the consul saying b
was sending to this country two "a
adult zebras Of the kind the depart
ment Of agriculture has been wanting
for the purpose of experimenting II
crossing the ordinary horse with the
big zebra. Ras wrote: II am sending
the beasts as q token OF esteem and
good will toward the American people
I would suggest that the return present
be in the form of repeating rifles or
cannon OF the latest pattern"
Consul Skinner says it is the custom
In benighted Abyssinia when O man
makes a present to suggest what be
given in return. The question Of what
to send Ras must be referred to the
committees, because there IL no appro-
prlatiou from which to take the money
needed to pay. for the presents Ras de-
sires. The beasts he is sending are
worth about $780, and that sum Of
money will buy rapid fire Geld gun.
The Improved Rotunaa.
When the rotunda Of the capitol "
lighted up on the occasion Of a night
session Of both houses Of congress per
sons who have become accustomed to
the dinginess and darkness Of that
magnificent circular hall will be aston
ished at it's changed appearance through
the new system of illumination that has
Just been installed. ts
1t Is perhaps misnomer to speak Of
the present illumination as new" sys-
TEN, as the rotunda has never been
really lighted save through the agency
OF a few miserable gas jets which the
officials were afraid to light on account
OF the leaky condition Of the pipes that
carried the gas.
M A Novel AFranEemsnt.
The rotunda has been equipped with
1912 sixteen candle power incandes-
cent globes. distributed on the three
principal cornices, with a fourth row
hidden back Of the balustrade at the
top for the purpose Of lighting up the
allegorical picture, 'sThe Apotheosis Of
Washington" the famous work Of Bru-
midi, which forms the ceiling beneath
the top Of the dome.
The illumination Of this interior IL
unique, in that not light can be seen
from within the rOtunda. Although the
interior Of the great space is brilliant
y illuminated, the light Is soft and
pleasing to the eye.
Ancient slang.
Some day soon former Speaker Kei-
fer and Senator Lodge win foregather
In the cloakroom to discuss the ques-
ton Of slang. Both are connoisseurs |
In that form of speech. Both delight
TO discover the fact that what often
passes for the last work in the lexicon |
OF slang IL older than the Christian
era. The expression, mot in It," &C
cording to the reading of the former
speaker, Is SO old that the man who
uses 1t as slang ought to be punished
for dlsrespect to old age THAT ex-
preston is 1000 years old at least"
said the former speaker. "Epictetus
uses it In talking about the coward In
battle. He used it in exactly the same
sense that 1t Is used today. He said
hat the coward Is there In the sense
hat his body Is In the fray, but that
-eally he Is not In it-that Is. he IL no
more In II than the man who makes
poor run for an Office and who is doing
something his heart does not approve"
Civil War Carpenters.
Representative Blackburn b. Dove
her of West Virginia believes that
fridge carpenter who exposed himself
o the fire Of the enemy during the civil
var was Just az brave as the man who
wore soldier clothes and accordingly
hould have pension If he needs one.
He has Introduced bill placing bridge
arpentePs aud bridge repairers or
status.
A Venetian Palace.
A real Venetian palace Is one Of the
triklng productions In architecture
hat will soon meet the eyes Of visitors
0 Washington.
Ex-senator aud Mrs. j. B. Hender-
on. among the social leaders here. are
aying this palace erected. 1t Is In We
etlan Gothic style, unique In Wash
ngton and In its way Is likely to
clIpse In splendor the Washington
OF the Washes, the Letters, {
be- Andersons and others.
1t Is being built on the highest ground {
( Sixteenth street and will command !
view Of the whole city. Like the We
etiAn ''palazzos," il will have its sa- q
N. 20 by 40 feet; its boudoirs, its log I
Las and the like. An immense roof
arden will be one Of the attractive q
,atures Of the mansion.
White House Visitors. I
II haS been customary for many '
ears for the White House attendants ]
} permit all persons who presented I
to 60 through the drawing 8
IONS and the picture gallery. No list ?
such visitors was kept, but the pres I
Ient recently expressed a desire to
now something OF the names and ma t
Onality of these callers. so visitors' Q
Dok has been added to the White u
ouse belongings, and henceforth ell q
ho seek view Of the historic man 4
on must inscrIbe their autographs In q
70 volume So strong is Mr.. Rooae- O
Its interest that every day the book z
submitted for hIs inspection. Mrs. d
and the children are equally b
tsrested. and the boys delight in look
q mp on map the different cities and d
'uutrIes from which the tourists hail. b
A. 4