Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-07-26
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP


WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP
Legislation.-The Senate yesterday were
for time gravsly engaged on a proposition
to spend public money on experiments to test
the applicability of sending the mails of the
United States over the country through an
exhausted tube by means of atmospheric pres.
sure, scheme in which men of science gen.
orally have little faith, as far as we can per-
ceive. If We are not mistaken, about the
only machines to carry great weights long
distances, the power being atmospheric pres
sure, which have succeeded in practice,
though experiments have been made with
such from the commencement of civilization
down to to-day, are the ordinary ships sails
There is a machine on exhibition in the TO-
tunda of the Capitol for the navigation of the
air, (by balloon0 carrying passengers and
freight, which, the inventor is satisfied, will
be perfectly under the navigator's contro,
when suspended between heaven and earth.
Sails aud d rudder are to control its move.
ments. Why don't the Senate devote day
or so to that? So ego
The Public School Celebration. be-
speak very large attendance of our fellow
citizens Of the Federal Metropolis at the Pub
lie School celebration to come eff on Monday
next. Those charged with the task of getting
1t up have exerted themselves with proper
spirit to make its ceremonies imposing, and
its Influences upon the thousands Of children
who will participate in it very beneficial
Tie question Of their success, however, Is in
vOlved in that Of the number of adults who
lend them their cOuntenancs On the occasion.
The Public Schools Of Washington may
easily be made equal to any in the United
States. This is to be accomplished, however,
only by general public interest in them As
the public manifest interest in them so will
they prove effective for good results, and only
in ratio with the manifestation of that interest.
The District.--lt is to be hoped that on
Monday next the House will consent to set
apart two or three days for the consideration
of business prepared by the District Commit
tee. Its members are careful and laborious
gentlemen for the rost part, and have devoted
themselves faithfully to the discharge of their
duty. We really believe that there never
was before House District Committee whose
recommendations, one and all, were so con
scientiously made, and were made aftor so
labOrious and careful Investigations These
facts should entitle their suggestions with
reference to the requirements of the public
interest at this point to more than ordinary
consideration On the part of their fellow mem
bsrs.
The Drought.-The farms and gardens in
this vicinity are suffering greatly for want of
rain. The drought is already making serious.
Iy against remunerative fall crops. We have
had much experience in tilling the ground in
this vicinity, and know remedy which SO far
has never failed US in the matter Of guarding
against the otherwise disastrous effects Of such
season az this in which we seem to be enter
ing The secret lies in deep Sub soiD plough
ing and heavy manuring. The two ex psdents
together, have not failed Us, whom applied,
once in the last seven years
Internal improvements. The veteran
Richmond Enquire, raises q warning voice
against the system Of internal improvements
BY the General Government now being urged
on Congress. That journal represents a pow.
erful interest in the Democratic party, which
will not consent to give up its -honored
principles upon the internal improvement,
question; more especially because it regards
the threatened abandonment Of the creed Of
the Democratic party on this subject as but g
prelude to its abandonment Of its cherished
positions on other questions involving the
powers and duties of the General Government,
wherein the schools of Monroe, Jefferson and
Alexander Hamilton were at issue.
The Privsteersmen's Bill.--The recen
speech Of Mr.. Davis Of Massachusetts,, was ;
capital defence Of the interests Of his constit
uents as involved in this measure 1t wa
evidently prepared with great care and re
search, and embraced more sterling and effee
tive arguments in favor Of regarding thos
who have served their country on privateere
co-equal with thoss who have served in tn
regular navy Of the United States, so far a
the distribution Of the country's after gratui
ties and rewards is concerned, than wore eve
before brought to the knowledge and motto
of Congress The constituents of Mr.. Dayi
owe him much, indeed
The Steamship. Vanderbilt was Wis
tied throughout the course of yesterday by
large number of gentlemen and ladies. /,
every description Of sailing craft on the Poto
mac that could be pressed into the service