Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 133, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1904 — WASHINGTON GOSSIP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON GOSSIP

Unlike European monarchs, who usually have a private chaplain and a special place of worship as a part of the “state church,” the President of the United States selects his own place of worship in Washington, much aa would any other person who went there to live, and attends its services without ostentation of any sort. Since regular public receptions at the Whito House have been discontinued, the President’s church is generally overrun with sightseers. Mr. Roosevelt attends Grace Reformed Church. Its new edifice, completed since ha became President, seats about five hunr dred persons; before that he worshiped with the society in a chapel less than half as commodious. Presidents Grant, Hayes and McKinley attended Methodist churches; General Garfield, during his long Congressional career, as well as after his elevation to the presidency, was Identified with the “Disciples,” or “Christians.” Their present church, one of the strongest in the city, Is called the “Garfield Memorial.” President Arthur was an Episcopalian, and attended St. John’s, just across Lafayette Park, which is but a few steps from the White House. Bern jamln Harrison, as a prominent Presbyterian, found his religious home at the Church of the Covenant.

The Fifty-eighth Congress will ex* pire amid the excitement of the inauguration ceremonies at noon of March 4. The short session of an expiring Congress is usually full of accomplishment. Things move more rapidly than in the longer session of the preceding year. Young members have now all had a winter’s experience. The House of Representatives passes its appropriation bills more speedily in second year, since the questions in dispute are naturally “fought out” the first time they come before ifcr members. Legislative measures which have made progress, but have not reached enactment will he taken up where they were left last spring. Committees which had been directed 'to make special inquiries will report on the opening day of the session. All hills which are not passed by March 4 will be lost, and must be introduced again in the next Congress. A treaty loes not expire at tlie end of a Congress, since it is for the Senate alone to consider. It may he taken up where It was left the year before, regardless of whether there is a new Congress that has come in, or merely another session of an old one. An important opinion, which will set a precedent of great interest to all Federal officials who are appointed by the President, has been rendered by the comptroller of the treasury. The decision establishes the title of officials to draw pay until 1! ><r successors qualify. The point is raised by Melvin Grigsby, of Souih Dakota, who was district attorney for the Nome, Alaska, district. Mr. Grigsby resigned and his resignation, to take effect Juno 30 last, was accepted. His successor was appointed, but he qualify until July 29. Mr. Grigsby, who had been occupying the district attorney’s office between the time of his resignation and the qualification of his successor, contended that he was entitled to twenty-nine days’ pay, although his resignation had been accepted and he was considered out of office. The comptroller decides that Mr. Grigsby’s claim is proper.

It is said that immediately upon the inauguration of President Roosevelt on March 4 there will be a shake-up that will overshadow that made by Mr. McKinley when the Republicans gained power after the Cleveland administration. Very few of the old McKinley appointees are to be retained in office. Mr. Roosevelt wants Ills own administration to be one of his owri personal selection. The official chopping is to he begun in the cabinet, nnd will extend down to consular positions of comparatively minor importance. It will include hundreds of postmasters, internal revenue collectors, customs collectors, commissioners of immigration, consuls, diplomatic agents, and in fact official positions in every branch of the government service. The United States mails Carry lu a year 8,500,000,000 pieces of matter at a cost of $150,000,000, nnd If the rural delivery sendee, which now serves one-seventh of our people at an expense of $22,000,000, were eliminated, tlie postofllce would be self-supporting. The postpfflce was not established to make money, but even without any retrenchment it would make money, probably, if the cheap parcel post were introduced here an it exists in other progressive countries. When the President nttends church be is allowed to leave the building at the close of tlie service, before the rest of the congregation leave their pews. The ushers see that this rule Is respected. Considering the couDtrv’*, unfortunate experience with it is a very simple precaution. ’XVr<y secret service men are also in attendance. President Roosevelt almost invariably walks to his church, which is less than a mile from the M’hltm House