, 1880-12-05


curse which is widespread among their laity
ing, and pockets than MI other evils pu
| together?
LIFE At THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
The City of Washington in the absence ot
Congress is like deserted village without
even
And tue loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind
During the few days Immediately preceding
Congressional session there Is something
like 4 general stir to clean up the hotels,
lodging-houses, restaurants, and bars; but it
is no more like the hustle Of city life than
| the occasional renovation of country
store. The expected congressman do not
put i'll an appearance till the last
J hour They may leave their constituents,
and, perhaps, even their families. under the
impression that they are hurrying to the Ma
tional Capital to get their committee work
ready for the opening of Congress, but they
more frequently escape to the uninquisitiye
yastness of:Ncw York, to partake without
restraint Of metropolitan pleasures and cx-
element Meanwhile the routine clerk en-
| joys the mild stimuiant Of a promenade on
Pennsylvania avenue between and 4
O'Clock in! the afternoon; the conventional
bridal couple huldle in a close car
| riage to "do'' the Capital and it's
suburbs in the alternate chill and
| sunshine of malaria1 climate; !;
| the Maryland team Of four, consisting in
part Of horse, mule, and COW, and driven
with one rein, has an unimpeded passage
over the asphalt; and the small politician
cndeavors In vain to get up discussion In
the empty corridors Of the hotels.
When Congress conyenes, as 1t will to-
morrow, the scene changes There Is then
ut least an appearance Of hustle. The
National Legislature meets in condition
more or less chaotic. The Committees then
begin to get ready for work, though the
individual Congressman is so overwhelmed
with political affairs of his own. or errandsto
do for his constituents, or projects Of a pure
ly personal character, that he has little time
for public affairs. The number Of Congress-
men is small who can give correct idea Of
the pending Legislation upon any subject with
which, by reason Of committee assignment,
they ought to be perfectly familiar. One
gentleman may be absorbed with the inten-
ton to offer resolution demanding informa-
tion from the Executive branch Of the Gov
ernment concerning matters about which the
Executive is totally uninformed, for in
stance, the details Of the new treaty
with China Another may be equally
determined to arrest the motion Of the
earth by offering some constitutional amend
menr which, once relegated to the tomb of a
committee-room, will never be again heard
Of. The average Congressman Is about rs
narrow, contracted and selfish in his views
rs the average man in other walks of life,
with the difference that he is apt to assume
superiority of intellect and mysterious and
hidden wealth Of information and power
which he does not possess.
The opening Of new session of Congress
ischiefly useful in intusing some life into the
National Capital The wheels Of the machine
are set in motion, and people who, previously
existing in condition that may be described
as the opposit OF Mbernation, begin to rub
their eyes, stretch their limbs, expand their
stomachs, and otherwise take Or the signs Of
animation. The Government expends about
twenty millions annually in the District of
which the never-to- o-be-cOmpleted Washing
ton Monument marks the geographical
centre, and thus supports during a part of
tho year 4 community which practically dis
appears from the population Of the world at
other periods This community is partly
artificial, partly routine, and partly
nomadlc. There are ornamental chiefs
who, upon emergency sometimes develop
brains, courage, and capacity. There
are the actual and competent workers, who
do the business of the Government, whose
names rarely get into the newspapers, and
who drag out Il hunldrum existence upon
bare living wages There are the iobbers,
the schemers, attorneys, agents, and adj
venturcrs who hang on the outskirts of De-
partmcnt and Congressional circles. These
arc mass. One Department employs 5000
OF harmless, easy-going machines that copy
papers, add up figures, belong to State Asso-
Cations, and devote their spare time to in
ecnious devices for keeping their places in
the face Of opportunities and Vaccinations
III tile interest Of another horde Of similar in
offensive and equally lifcless though neccs-
sary routine place-huntcrs.
Society in Washington presents MANY con-
trasts. It Is divided into cliques and grades
that never assimilate. There is an old stock
that looks down upon the official classes, and
affects exclusiyeness. These people are relics
OF the ante-War Southern regime. They harbor
to some extent the retired army and navy
o'cets. and even the young Lieutcnants who |
marry rich wives have large and handsome
houses built for them, and command the
requlslt influence to avoid distant assign
ments. The ancient regime has also left q
legacy OF unprogressivc, lazy, and iiliterato
people, both white and black, who reyel in
the superstition OF haunted houses and
would not cross funeral for any considera-
ton. This class provides liberal allowance
Of cheap servants and lazy messengers, who
are only overpaid when their services are
brought in contrast with their modicum Of
compensation. The official circles of the
lower grade 4htent themselves with mite
societies, church soeiables, candy~pulls, and
berry-festivals as substitutes for social dissi |