Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
WASHINGTON, Feb. IA, 1874.

lDleTeSiS Oh Ine 'Olu DOmlnlO0,' that
a summary of the same cannot fail to
interest your many readers. In addi-
ton to the events themselves, there
has been an under-current of political
gossip, that is well calculated if true,
to make the souls of timid politicians
quake with fear. But first, as to the
events themselves.
THE JAMES RIVER AND KANAwuA
CANAL.
It is well known that the construc-
ton of the above named enterprise,
doomed up during the late Guberna-
tOrial contest TO more than ordinary
political significance, both parties
claiming and pledging to do their ut
most To secure its construction
Hence anything concerning it will be
of interest to the reader, no matter in
what section of the State he may re-
side. During the past week Gem
mission appointed by the Governors
Of their respective States, convened in
this city. There was a special meeting
of the Commission at the Arlington
hotel, at the which, by Invitation, the
Representatives from Virginia. Geor-
gia, and Tennessee were present. a
series of able resolutions were prepared
10y committee, consisting of Thurs
ton, of Penn, FrObel. of Tennessee
and Whitehead of Virginia, which
were unanimously adopted by the
Commission, which represents the wa
ter transportation interests of the Ohio
and all its tributaries. The very best
spirit prevailed during the meeting
and the remarks of Hon. t, White
head and Major Peyton, who repre-
scented the interest of the J. II. & K.
g. Company, were received with marks
of special commentator, and it may
be safely asserted that all the States
bordering on the Ohio river, or any of
its tributaries, feel a community of in
tercsts in the matters discussed by the
Commission, and will cooperate when
the proper time arrives,
GOV. KEMPERs VISIT.
The chief topic in political circles
in this city during the past week, has
been the visit of Gov. Kemper to the
White House. Those who ale blest or
cursed as the case may be. with vivid
imaginatiOns, see in it the germ of
another political party in the odd
Dom nion," and have already named
some of the prospective leaders of the
same. Others see in it only an indi-
cation of the era of good feeling, so
much in vogue during the late scrub
race for the White House, The truth
of the matter is, that Gov. KEN per, as
the Chief Magistrate of q State, whose
territory nearly runs up to the back
door of The Presidential Mansion, felt
it to Ue only good neigh bOrhood TO call
upon the Executive, and tine reports
rs to his being in the city on business
and calling OH the President through
courtesy are mere hosh and clap-trap,
and sounds too stiff for people a.,
proud even as are those of Virginia.
TIE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL
It is reported on good authority in
the city to-day that this obnoxious
measure will again he brought before
the House during the coming week I'M
shorn of any of its obnoxious features,
with the school clause intact, etc
From what your correspondent can
ascertain of Congressional opinions
there is some hope that, unless the
party whip is laid on too vigorously,
the Northern members will kick out
of the Traces and defeat it; imflamma-
tory speeches, however, if INDUCED in
10y Southern members, will secure its
passage 10y stirring up party rancour
and give show of right to "Ihe party
of high moral ideas" III voting for it.
TAXATION on FRUIT DISTILLATIoN.
a large meeting of Congressman,
representing twenty differeLt States,
who favor the reduction of taxation on
fruit distiilatiOn, will he held at the
Capitol this Saturday EVENING" 1t is
thought that the measures. which will
then be advocated. will be adopted AT
an early day.
OUR DELEGATION,
Having hurriedly given an account
of the leading topics at the Capitol
during the past four days, probably
your readers would be glad to know
something OF the record which is being
made by their delegates during the
present session of Congress, and al
though not of Us. in a party sense, we
cannot refrain IN this connection from
commenting the course pursued By
Hon. II. II. Butler, of your District.
This gentleman by his course Of
straight forward and manly conduct,
las Low the esteem of his CUnserva-
tive brethren, aud by his ability that
of the House. lie is forcible speak
er and a good worker. Next in order
is hon. Reese II. Bowen, who, as an
earnest, faithful and untiring repre-
sentative, is without peer in the
House. BY his unassuming manner,
incessant attention to business and
promptitude in attending to the wants
of his constituents he has won for
himself the best opinions, irrespective
of party. At present he is laboring to
secure the passage of a bill, which is
now before the Committee Oh Post
Offices and Post Roads, from Wythe-
willie via Tazewell. &. H., to Saltville.
An accident. which happened to the
General, a few days since, straining
his ankle, caused him to lose one day,
so far from the House Lynchburg
next i'm order, may well be proud of
her representative, Captain Thomas
Whitehead. He is already con-
sidered an authority on all matters,
with Internal Revenue.
CAPT. Tom" as HIS friends designate
him, combines two characteristics,
which are seldom combined, viz: wit
and business. Unlike the brilliant
5. S. Cox, of New York, who makes
business subservient to his wit, he
makes the latter quality subservient TO
the former qualification. He is ut the
bottom of everything connected with
tobacco and brandy, the very mau for
the Lynchburg District.
The last whom our limits viii allow
us to notice, is Hon. Jno. 7. Harris.
This gentleman, while a thorough
politician in any sense of that term, aud
willie this characteristic leads himsto
identify himself more fully than some
others with the workings of political
parties, is nevertheless, thoroughly
honest and keenly alive to the best IL
terests Of his native State. More
anon.
CLIO.
FIRE AT MORRISTOWN.