The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-02-20
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. Is, 1875.

WAsHINGToN, D. c., Feb. 10, 1915.
DEAR WH1G:-As you are aware, Con-
gress closes its session, by constitutional
limit, in a very short time. A comparison
of the number of bills introduced-som
six thousand-with the number passed at
the first session and which will probably
pass at this session, will be found to be the
most remarkable for any Congress in the
history of the government. At the opening
of the present session an unusual amount
of regular work was accomplished before
the holiday recess; but since the reassem-
bling, on January 9Th, but three important
public acts, the Civil Rights Bill, the FL
nance Bill and the little Tariff Bill, have
passed either House. The delay has not
been the fault of the regular or special
committees, which have been very prompt
in bringing their measures before Congress.
Of the appropriation bills, two have finally
passed, one is hanging in conference, and
nine remain TO he acted on. All of these
must, of course, be acted on or an extra
session of the Forty Fourth Congress will
be necessary. But one of these bills, that
for the army, may possibly fail if an at
tempt is made to vote the appropriations
for two fiscal years, as has been proposed
in the Republican caucus. The probability
of failure is rendered less, however, by the
amendment to the rules of the House,
which prevents fillibustering. In the Sem
ate, where the previous question is not rec
ognized, the measure may be "talked to
death In the way of special legislation
it is admitted by all that a large number of
bills must fail.
The caucus of the Republican members
of the House of Representatives met, on
last Friday night, pursuant to an adjourn
ment, with remarkably full attendance
The Object of the caucus, as is we'll known,
was to consider the bill prepared by the
joint caucus committee to meet the condi-
ton of affairs in the Southern States, and
to protect, in said States, the legal, politi-
cal and civil rights of the inhabitants.
The attendance included the leading lights
of the party, and from general accounts
the proceedings were somewhat interesting
and exciting. In fact, SO stormy was the
debate, that the session continued until
after midnight, but the vote developed the
fact that the opposition came from hope
less minority; and the Republicans of the
House feel confident of carrying by a full vote
| the measure so fraught with interest alike
to the party and the prosperity of the peo-
pie, to whom they are bound by oft-repeat-
ed pledges of needed protection.
THE BOUNTY BILL.
The House on Saturday passed 4 bill for
the equalization of bounties, which has
been pending, in some shape, in every Con-
gress since the close of the war, and is in
every sense just act; though if passed by
the Senate it will call upon the Treasury
for some thirty millions of dollars, accord
ing to the lowest estimate. 1t is very
doubtful if it passes the Senate at this
session, or at any future one, unless the
Treasury revenues increase. The bill, as
passed by the House, gives every soldier
eight and one third dollars a month for the
time he served, deducting all National and
local bountes from the sum total.
THE sLEIGHING CARNIVAL.
While our sold inhabitants " were put
ting on their spccks and overhauling their
records to see how the present Winter COM
pared in temperature with past years the
Naturalization of the bells were heard
upon our thoroughfares, and no one seemed
less happy because old Winter donned his
snowy mantle. When the snow flakes be
gan falling in rapid succession last We'd
desday night, the sports, and even those
persons of a more evenly balanced mind,
built high hopes on enjoying the delights
of sleigh ride the following day. But
their anticipations We're rudely dispelled.
Thursday morning, on awakening, they
found the snow turned to rain and the
white covered earth rapidly changing to
disgusting slush. However, the hopes thus
fondly cherished, were not to be entirely
scattered; for the weather was accommo-
dating towards evening, and turned to clear
cold, thus congealing the snow and ice,
and making an acceptable foundation for
the gliding of the runners; and up to the
small hours of morning the jingle of bells
and resounding of merry voices gave token
that the carnival, although brief, proved a
jolly one.
| Early Friday morning the sport was re-
sumed, and the Avenue, proving in fine
condition, was made the scene of ANNA
ton, presenting most cnlvening picture.
Sleighs, jumpers and baskets were brought
into requisition, while horses, young and
old, fast and slow, fGat and lean, all went
to make up the category of quadrupeds
| brought into service for the occasion. 1t
might well have been termed gala morn
| ing, for the sport was over by noon, and
the fun closed, except to a few more ven
| turesome than others, and who came near
| riding on wood payements for their tardi-
ness in lingering, while the sun stole their
sleighing track from beneath them The
| scene, while in progress, was a lively one,
and probably the last of the kind that will
be witnessed here this Winter.
OBSERVER.
LETTER FROM VIRGINIA.