The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-12-24
WASHINGTON LETTER



costume by appearing on the floor of
the house in the regulation business
suit of tweed Red and lavender neck
ties can poll a larger vote than the
somber black string tie, and old mem
bers, loyal to the frock coat and its
accessories, are discussing with despair
the Future of congressional tan shoes
Passing Of the Froek Coat.
These sartorial belligerents declare
! that the revolt against the unwritten
law concerning the frock coat habit Is
chiefly in the interests of comfort
Whether they would appear to better
advantage In solemn black or becom-
ing blue. they insist, is q matter of
secondary consideration.
Congress never welcomed larger
number Of well tailored members. But
their clothes are creased and pressed
after the latest Fifth avenue fashion
plates in place Of the statesmanlike
cut. A ia
Fear expressed by members of the
house for the doom of the frock coat
has already disturbed the equanimity
Of the senate by the appearance of a
couple Of belligerents in the ranks of
this black coated body.
The Issue Joined.
/ The battle between tweeds and
lbroadcloth black and lavenders, giddy
waistcoats and Henry Clay conserva-
tives, top hats and soft hats, has been
aggravated by the general youthful
ness of the new members, who, with
wardrobes larger than Newport bride,
declare they are prepared to fight the
issue to a finish.
Many members object to the regula-
ton dress because Of their faith in the
new scientific color theories, and men
who wear red waistcoats because they
have been told by scientists and as
trologers that red was their astral col
or shudder at the thought of putting
on the somber black, funeral looking
Bingham Reformer.
Among the defiant ones in the house,
who has been dubbed leader Of the
dress insurgents, is Richmond Pearson
Hobson. Pale looking and thin, Cap
tain Hobson vigorously shuns the black
coat frock. He belongs to the con-
stituency Of red neckties, which he
wears with d well fitting sack coat suit
of granite gray, with gray spats over
patent feathers, and almost always
wears lavender handkerchiefs. l
Even General Henry III. Bingham,
known as the sfather of the house."
has joined the congressional dress re-
formers and joyfully buried the frock
coat suit he wore with pride when
first elected to the Forty-sixth con
gress.N General Bingham adds to the
new color scheme Of the house by
wearing a. jaunty blue cheviot sack
coat suit with colored waistcoat and
Philadelphia's choicest ties, ios
aA WinteToat the Capital.
The Typographical situation of the
capital is such that it's winter .climate,
to be summed UP in line, may be said
to be comparatively mild and, bracing.
1t is almost entirely free from the pen
etrating, harsh east and north winds
which sweep down from the New
foundland banks along the northern
seaboard and which are SO destructive
to persons with weak lungs and frail
constitutions and Objectionable, to the
robust. ess = ,s., a,.s.-..i.s, n.
Attractive Social Features
Thee social side of life in the capital
in the winter, is Of course one OF, its
most attractive features, and to enjoy
this alone thousands annually come
within its hospitabie gates 1T must
not be supposed however, that the
full enjoyment ofo this phase OF our
life is limited to the higher officialTcir-
cles nor to the garynwealthy for there
are many smaller circles within the
great round of festivities which mark
the season from beginning to end in
which all may participate, and per
haps this is one Of the many reasons
why the visitor has had such a good
time" when he returns home to tell
about it. Aaa ssls a
Double Eagles Changed.
Changes have been made in the new
Saint Gaudens double eagle, the coin
age of which has been resumed. The
coins are somewhat modified from the
first lot of 5000 coined, which are now
commanding a premium. These modi-
fications principally consist of the
elimination of the much discussed
sharp edge, which made the gold
pieces hard to stack; the substitution
of figures for the Roman numerals
and a slight lowering Of the relief
work.
Because of the large demand for the
Saint Gaudens goldpiece the subtreas-
ury has already placed an order with
the mint for supply 1t is probable
that limit will be placed on the num-
Der Of the coins to be allotted to
banks and individuals.
An Ancient Lumbernnan.
81 tell you that Maine and New
Brunswick have taught the rest of the
world all that is known about the
conduct of numbering operations. I
ought to know what | am talking
about l have been lumberman for
sixty seven years. learned what /
know about 1t from people In Maine
and New Brunswick"
This was Senator Isaac Stephenson's
comment about the country he came
from as he INDUCED In some eastern
"reminiscences the other day at the
capitol He is now nearing the eight
eth milestone and is one Of the oldest