Evening star., 1940-06-16
Capital Side|ights
By Will P. Kennedy.

Inc spirit OF the late Representative
Clyde H Smith of Maine still marches
on-undefeated. He had a record of
running 49 times for popular election
during 43 years in public life-and was
never defeated. On his death bed he
asked the voters of his district to elect
his widow as his successor in Congress.
A special election was promptly called
and she established another record
three elections within a space of five
weeks. The special primary was on Nav
l5, when She had one opponent and won,
II to l. The special election was on
June 3. She is leaving WASHINGTON to-
morrow for the regular primary on June
IT, IN which she has four men oppo-
nents, all claiming that Congress is no
place for woman. Mrs. Margaret Chase
Smith for the past eight weeks has been
committing between Maine and WASH
lngton, attending to her duties here and
endeaVorlng to make campaign there.
She is veteran in congressional work
for she actively assisted her husband
before his death and has been running
his Office since. She is also treasurer of
the Congressional Club. All her lie she
has been active in public affairs.
From battleships to hean soup is
long jump-but recently bean soup Wed
with battleships in claiming the atten-
ton of Capitol folk. The House restau-
hoPnr1o 20
ent management for bean soup. Cover
nors of States. politicians and business
men from all over the United States
members of the Washington Baseball
Club and of the Redskins football team
visit the House restaurant and order
bean soup. One day recently the supply
ran out-the first and only time in nearly
eight years-and there was general
fussing, grumbling and complaining
from one end of the Capitol to the other.
South Trimble, clerk of the House. has
new antique in his Office In overhaul
ing the House records a bound volume
OF the Daily National Intelligencer for
1919 was found. Since the very incep-
ton of Congress, the House has author
lzed the clerk to purchase newspapers
Tor use of the members. Today, while
congress is in session, the clerk buys
papers from every State in the Union.
Conspicuous in. the old newspaper file
are advertisements of drawing of cash
prizes IN the 9th Grand National Lot
terry and the Maryland State Lottery
The proceeds of that particular national
lottery were used to purchase two Lam
caStrlan schoolhouses, penitentiarv and
city hall in Washington. Manv other
advertisements are rewards of from $50
to $3.50 for the return of runaway slaves
An item on February "a regarding admis-
sion OF the Territory of Missouri into
the Union; another inviting bids for the
pennsylvania State Capitol at Harris
burg, within a cost of $4,000 for eyecr-
tlon Of the plan. There is an announce
ment in the February 25 issue of an ex-
hlbitlon of balloons near Center Market
the largest to carry figures representing
man and woman. Another adver-
tlsement is for Mockrikufsky Russian nil
for beautifying and preserving the hair
There are advertisements for supplies
eor the naval establishments at Ports
mouth. Boston, New York, PHILADELPHIA.
Washington and Norfolk, including to-
bacco, whisky and Bohea tea. An in
teresting early bank advertisement is
that of Romulus Riggs, exchange bank
ing house and brokers' Office in Bridge
street, Georgetown. The weight of bread
for one month is announced as: Single
loaf, 20 ounces; double loaf, 40 ounces
In Congress on February 26 is recorded
bill granting a tract of land to the
State of Illinois for seat of govern
ment for that State. There are manv
notices signed by President Monroe
John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State:
Henry Clay, Speaker of the House. and
James Barbour, president of the Senate
Appointment of Smith Thompson of New
York as Secretary of the Navy is an
nounced and the same day Tench Ring
gold to be marshal of the District of
Columbia.