The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-12-16
C0rresP0ndessee.
wAsHrxorox, Dec. s. 1870.

Iu6 paSb WcCk I'M OoCu OtiC W ohu1ust SCttN-
ity In this city. What with the preparations
for the coming session Of Congress, among tho
boarding house keepers and hotel prOprietors.
tho paving Of the avenue, the dredging Of the
canal, and the demolition Of the old market
house. there have been lively times. Tho citi-
sens are 20 excited and pleased at the idea Of
having one decent street that they are consider
Ing the propriety OF having . grand carnival
upon the completion Of the avenue. I have
said "one decent street." not that there arc not
very nice portions Of streets In the city, bat
doubt II there can Be found one which 10 entire
ly complete. Some portion Ii obstructef or In
passable. Therefore. II Is not surprising that
the Wsshingtonans should be as pleased and
happy over the prospect Of having . splendid
street, complete. as the boy 10 when he gets 6rst
pair Of new boots. This carnival is 10 come OF
the 2lst or I'D Of February, and corporation
officers from portions Of the country are 10 be
invited to attend to witness and participate In
the ceremonies. Already, somo Of oar enthusi.
astic cltseus have anticipated the coming season
OF revelry, and have driven their hst horses
at pace upon that portion Of the avenue that
Il completed, contrary 10 the law, and have sat-
ished the demands Of justice BY paying Into the
/ city corporation some twenty dollars esoh for
i BuCu OucuCC. Sutt5 - ubo Uoou VOsotuOa
for this violation Of the city ordinance.
The different departments Of the government
have been very busy, working night and day 10
have their reports ready upon the opening Of
Congress. $500 I-i'.'
The members and strangers who visit this city
to-day will be surprised to 6nd this formerly
staid. quiet city oil hustle and confusion, 70
sembling the life and activity displayed In New
Englsnd. I was very much surprised yesterday
In walking around the suburbs OF the city, to
note the improvements that were taking place.
Whole squares. comprising twenty 10 thirty
tenemcuts, were being built up with substantial
and beautiful buildings, streets arc being laid
out, and hills cut down, and everywhere new
impetus seems TO hsve takeL possession OF the
people. have ofteu predicted that real estate
must come down, here, that the value attached
was really fictitious. This I have constantly
adhered to for more than Ave year,, and nov I
am thoroughly convinced that value that 10
steadily augmenting, 10 not altogether 6ctitous,
and that my ideas were wrong. This city Ia
bound to 70 ahead, and having caught the
spirit and enterprise Of the north and entered
upon series Of great improvements j will yet
redeem the past siuggishness by it, future
course. ..f... .f 30 .st'..-
lu6 DdyCfu - rUtuoWuss WIZ
liant sensou In this city during the present ss-
sion. bat I am inclined to somewhat different
opinion, from tho fAct thst there will b les Of
the eociality that usually prevails here. A
great many members win not bring their fami-
lies TO the city the present session, owing 10 the
fsot that Il erplres the 4th Of March. Il b
thought that the Law which provides Tor the
opening OF the 42d Cougrsss upon the 4th Of
Al. u ILL 4. --~~.l.-l sksr,en %. sha v>eeukioos
and private parties will be somewhat limited.
"It's an III wind that blows nobody good how
ever, for the public houses mako something by
the families being len behind, Cor large num-
Der Of members. the present session, have taken
Is the most aristocratic, and the charges are
high enough to suit the most fastidious, next
comes Willard's, the largest hotel IN the city,
which during the war did thriving business
then comes q large number Of houses Of Iess
pretensous, but probably fall - substantial
a fsr a the wants Of the public are coooerned.
Some half dozen new hotels have beon opened
during the fall.
Tho estimates given to carry on the govern
meut the next fiscal year 10 some eighteen mil
lion less than the present, which speaks much
for the economical manner In which the admin
istrstiou ID managed. Congrcss assembled to-
day under moet suspicious circumstance. The
late elections held all over the country have
strongly approved its course and what capital
or policy Of position the democracy will take s
very hard 70 determine. One thing. however,
Is sure, and that Is, the party Il really to criti-
ciss and condemn every measurc OF policy that
Is put forth by the republican loS'en, and - It
II much easier to criticisc and tear down than TO
lnaugerate and build up, grrat many sensio'e
people are mislcd. The democratic party today
has no policy. and ouly waits To attack The posi-
ton taken BY ib opponent.
eerstei grand fair. the proceeds Of which are
70 be devoted 70 assisting the poor. Cntriba-
tjous have been received from various portions
VI the country and Q large sum viii BE- procured.
Immediately upon is Close. another Ia 70 bed.
the proceeds Of which is 10 be given TO the AID
Of the wounded Of the Freoch army. never
bssrd during I'll ef our loos struggle Of any
charitable behests from ibrriw countries to AID
our army. but Il may be well for our people to
st . god example.
ouite a reduction hes taken plsce In the num-
Der Of internal revenue sGicen. the force Of a.
SCISSORS having been reduced 4l9. and 70 ssid.
that before the lstof January 200 more WI b
dismissd. ri l-ru Htl r.i -irIi
A vsry great crowd assembled Il Tie Capitol
today 70 witness the opening oe the sesios.
The galleries were crowded with people, ths elite
Of the city being present.. The diplomatic corps
vss well repressatsd, Mn. Giant sssspyins Q
ssas among the nobility. TIE nrnAks ffon the
President vss listeoed 70 viii great sstentie0
and seemed { give salishctim. .6esaaoe Sam-
ner at apparently uncoooerned Willis .ee IN
Domingo question was presented. and the rrss-
insots rsasons Or snnsxstioa, bat . ossesai %
server would have detsctsd that the SsnsioI vas
really paying very strict attention to ths se9)scs
asd w.iebIse very esrshaIly ths rses0ss pssssnt-
"a Orits A sGart n biaR Dade % remove tbe