Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-01
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
The City -Buslness before Congress, &c.
The opening of the session of Congress to-day
Of course has brought hither not only the mem
bers with few exceptions) but considerable
number Of persons interested in their legisls-
ton. The current session of the Court Of
Claims, too, favors US already with the pres
snce Of quite number of strangers many Of
whom have been in public life, and are there
fore quite conspicuous gentlemen anywhere
So Washington already wears its seasonal air
This is destined evidently to be one of the most
brilliant and exciting winters known to the his
tory of the Federal Metropolis as we are net
only to have here considerable accession to The
large number Of persons Of wealth, taste apd
leisure who visit Washington arsuch season,
a. they visit the watering places in their sea-
son-to partake Of its sayetiss, to see ami know
its notsbles aud its nOtabilities, but also
larger number of politicians interested in the
formation Of the incoming administration tina
were ever here before On such all occasion, as
we'll as the usual number Of persons interested
in the legislation Of Congress. Indeed, two
subjects, alone, which some expect to bo dis
posed of ere the 4th of March, bid fair to bring
an avalanche Of patriotic individuals TO the
federal city. We refer to the Tariff and Pacific
Railroad questions. Wehave no idea that tie
last mentioned question can possibly be settled
this winter, however strenuous the efforts 90 to
do may be. So far, if we are not greatly mists-
ken, the surveys have not demonstrated the
prsctic&bility Of the construction of the pro-
posed railroad over either route examined,
under an almost fabulous costa cost OF hun
dreds of millions OF dollars. Under cost a
tenth Of which could not be betrayed by the
donation of alternate sections Of the public
lands at their present value, or ut that which
they can possibly bear in the lifetime of the
present generation. However, the profession
al reports to accompany the report of the Sec
rotary of War will probably afford something
like the basis Of shreWd guess as to what the
road will really cost if constructed; but under
existing circumstances, but little more than a
ehrewd guess,we apprehend.
Town Site Of Hennspin, Nennrepin Coun-
~. Minnesota-In the matter Of the appli-
cation, to enter for clown" purposes, under
the act of May %, 1874, certain lands in
township 1.6 north, range y west, it has been
held By the G. >ueral Land Office, after a care
full examination, that there has not been such
compliance, In good ia: b, Oh the part Ct those
claiming as town proprieto-s In this case, as
to give right of preference under the law of
1874, and therefore the application has been
rejected
The Department of the Interior has decided
We are informed, in another case arising under
this law, and which was submitted on appeal,
that, "under the law and late opinion Of the
Attorney General, selection for the purpose
indicated (town) protects the land from ordin-
AIRY pre-emptiop, but it must be a bona fae
sslection-tbat is, one intended for the actual
purposes of q city or town, and that purpose
svinced by the further acts Of the parties
making the survey towards the erection of
buildings or other improvements. IL il, in
the opinion Of the Department, somewhat In
the nature Of declaration in an ordinary
presumption. 1t will prOtec. tae land from
agricultural pre- eDptiOn from the moment the
hrst step towards the survey is taken, xien
inch surrey IS 1oilOtced inlmsdta tsiy by torn
.myr5 rsmsnts srhtbitiHg the bona fde char
setsr OF Ms selection but a mere survey,
without any subsequent attempts in good faith
to consuumate the said ciSim, will afford 10
obstacle TO the disposition Of the land Is if no
such incipient steps by survey bad been t.
ken"
In view Of this ruling ~ ,hs Department,
the "Hsnnepin" application has bssH rejscted
BY the Land OG:e.
The Hci els Ali the leading hotels Of Wash
ington have been renovated from top to bos.
tom since Congress separated, and into all VI
them many improvements have been intro
duced. They are noE all-Willards', Kirk.
woods Dexter's, Browns and the National,
Eve take them in the order of their location
going down the avenue)-superior to the same
number Of hotels in any other city in the
world Of the population Of Washington. 1t is
fashionable for newspapers to abuse the hotel
Recommendations of this city; yet, in no other
in the world, Of tie population Of ours. can
one-fOurth as many persons be as elegantly and
comfortably entertained as in the fine estab-
hshnsnts We name above. In proportion to
population, Washington city is visited, when
Congress is in session, by four times as many
sOjOuruers from distance, u the class who
pstronire fret class hotels, as any other city
on the globe Of its population; for our people
travel considersble distance infinitely uore
than any other nation, and twenty Americans
have business with some branch of their Gov.
ornmsnt that calls them to its capital, where
one citizen Of any Os-er country is so situated
Each Of the Washington hotels named above
IA, its speciality that insures Il full share
Of the patronage of the now regular session
visitors of Washington, Independent Of THAI %
s;raDgers- They will ali be we'll filled from