The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-04-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
SPRING PULSATIONS-A SWIMMING SCHOOL. FOR
LADIES AND GENTLEMES-sTREET SCENERY.
From Our Regular Correspondent

From Our Regular Correspondent
WAsHINGToN April 10, 1880.
Among the notable events Of the past week in
Congress was the introduction OF bill creating
permanent construction fund for the Navy De-
partment An argument in favor of the perma-
nent construction fund is that it looks TO the dis
use of the contract system This system, which
in time of war or sudden emergency may be q
military necessity, is indefensible any grounds
in time of peace. The uniform experience of the
Government with the contract system has been
that of jobbery and favoritism on the one hand
and worthless ships on the other, An eminent
officer OF the navy has said that taking the navy
list as whole since 1885, the advantage in SER
viceability and durability of Government-built
over contract-built ships is three to one; while
the cost has been nversely as three to five;
showing that the Government, by doing its
own work, gets five times as much for its money
as by letting it out to greedy or rascally con-
tractors
The pulsations of spring are in the air. The
tens of thousands of trees that Boss Sheppard
planted along the uphalt streets of The Capital,
five years ago, have grown sufficiently to give
the city sylvan appearance. Young girls prom
enade in spring suits and new hats. Young dan
dies have donned light colored pantaloons.-
Equestrian parties are daily seen on the boule-
wards and suburban roads, There seems TO be
quite q revival of horseback riding in Washing
ton; the habit had become somewhat obsolete.
Our effeminate youth Of beth sexes have, of late
years, given their preference to the more ener-
waiting locomotion of wheeled vehicles. The
Naiatorium Is again open, and Washington can
boast of resort where ladies and gentlemen, as
scautily clad as ballot girls. 60 together for a
swim. The rules say that, no gentleman shall
accompany lady unless he goes into the water,
and that in no case shall gentlemen accompany
ladies 10 remain only as spectators The custom
Of ladies and gentlemen swimming together is
enough to surprise a mans Grandmother, but 1t
il drawing it . little too fine TO say that it is
proper on the beach but wicked in the city. II
is, perhaps, after an, no greater innovation than
the modern hold In the waltz. The fair bathers
are no more exposed than ia the conventional
ballroom full dress, for II the costume exposes
more OF the lpwer exiremities II compensates by
hiding naore or the bust and neck. The wet
skirts are not moss clinging and not nearly M
| designing N the recent pull-back.
Washingtoa win not probably be depopulaaed
as early - usual BY the summer exodus Of pleas
ure seeken The growth Of trees and the PARK
accommodation have made 1t ycry tolesahle
| place Of residence for even the warmest summer
montha Then, the Congressional senajon win
be protracied, il Is thought until the fourth Of
July.
Some Idea Of the work bes6fe Coasrsss may be
RaiAssed ffom the fact that thsse are i0Is biIls
Tsporsed kvorably non committees and sxais-
Ing aetion, and d ieass one hnnaSed more In the
hanas q eonlmIttses ready % sspost.