The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-05-26
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondence.l

Ecu dlc OCAAS ulaUc ~
the war department for the formal
dedication in May or June next Of the
monument and markers authorized by
congress and erected at Gettysburg,
Pa, to commemorate the service Of
that portion of the regular army en-
gagged in the Gettysburg campaign.
The matter Is In the hands Of a spe-
cial committee consisting Of Assistant
Secretary Oliver, Lieutenant General
John G. Bates, retired; General ]. F.
Bell. chief of staff, and Colonel Mich
olson, representing the Gettysburg ma
tional park commission.
Markers At Gettysburg.
An unsuccessful effort was made to
induce congress to appropriate $4,000
to cover the expenses of t~ransporta-
ton to Gettysburg Of such surviving
troops IS could not properly march to
that point. The monument and mark
ers have been erected, and It has been
decided to dedicate them with appro-
pirate ceremonies this summer despite
the failure Of congress to respond to
the appeal for financial assistance.
The survivors Of the PIP regular or
CARNATIONS which took part in the
decisive battle of Gettysburg are scat
tered far and wide in the United
States. The committee will exert
every reasonable effort to secure a
fair representation Of the survivors at
the ~dedicatory ceremonies. It is ex-
pected that the date and other details
will be arranged In a short time.
Mice Follow Seeds.
II the government continues its poll
cy of allotting free seeds to members
Of congress it will not be many years
until men stenographers have all the
desirable clerical places in the house
Of representatives. The new $3,O0O,-
600 office building Of the house is over
run with mice, and the women en-
ployees are more concerned over this
fact than they are at the prospect
that the Payne tariff bill will raise the
price Of hosiery and gloves. Under
the law each representative receives
about 10000 packages Of garden seeds
annually. Many members have had
their allotments sent to their rooms in
the office building, and with the seeds
have come the mice.
The Senate Restaurant.
The senate has got itself into a
most embarrassing fix. 1t has con-
structed in it's handsome new $4,000
600 office building the finest and most
complete kitchen, or series of kitchens,
anywhere to be found. It has also
fashioned beautiful marble dining
rooms. And now not a soul car be
found who will think for a minute of
running them and furnishing grub to
the hungry senators and their clerks
even at nice high prices.
This is passing strange, too, for the
kitchens and dining rooms, with fur
niture complete, are all free, as we'll
as light, heat, electric power and fuel.
The Presidents Desk.
If the thousands who sit in the pres
ident's reception room In the White
House waiting for an audience only
knew it they might make the time
seem less m~onotonous by contemplate
ing the principal article Of furniture,
| the executives desk. 1t is handsome
and massive, with a wealth of cary
ing, but it's chief interest consists in
it's historic origin. You all know that
Sir John Franklin went to discover
the north pole and never came back
His good ship Resolute drifted in the
currents of the Arctic ocean,, spared
from destruction in some mysterious
manner, until she reached the waters
off the shores Of Alaska, where some
American whalers boarded her ani
claimed her. When she. reached SaI
Francisco the United States bOugh
her, repaired and refitted her, manned
her with an American crew and sen
her to England, with internationa
compliments. The old ship was bro
ken up about thirty years ago, ant
from the soundest Of her timbers
handsome desk was made by direction
Of the queen, to be presented to tn
then president Of the United States
That is the desk that stands in tn
presidents reception room, and on ]
the papers of at least eight admins
tratiOns have been written.
The Baby Of the House.
An interesting figure in the house !
Delegate Cameron of Arizona, Reput
lican. He defeated veteran Mar
Smith last fall, w~hefeupon the stor
went the rounds that this result was
part Of a scheme to secure statehood
!, allaying the Republican opposition b
the idea that two Republican senator
> would be chosen by the new stat
!. . But Mr.. Cameron has a better clah
l to fame than any based on polite
He located and built the Bright Ang
trail into the Grand Canyon Of Il
] Colorado and sttll maintains it.
The baby Of the house is Palitte +
q wins Of Missouri, who was sworn
on the day ON which he completed b
thirty.frst year.
. Would Harness the Potomac.
Senator Stephenson Of Wisc0nsi
who has had a most remarkable bun