The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-02-26
WASHINGTON.
OUR SPECIAL LETTER.


This has truly been n most remarkable
winter in Washington. After having sleigh |
ing for several weeks-sn almost unheard |
of thing-people went sailing in boats in
Penna. avenue last Saturday. 1t appeared
in the morning as though the cataclysm, to
which it tissupposed Mother Shipton's proph-
esy refers, had come without warning. BY
the time people were stirring out of their
houses, the streets leading south from Penn
sylvania avenue were canals. The water
was two feet deep on some portions Of Penn
sylyania avenue between Second and Sew
enth streets, where the water rose through
the sewers. The water began TO subsde
about three o'clock Sunday morning and
ran out Of the streets very fast, so that before
the day was far advanced the city had as
sumed its old appearance. The flood had
its humorous as well as its serious side; but
in spite OF the weather the usual winters
gaieties have gone on with much of the
usual spirit. The public receptions at the
White House, which begin with New Year,
have attracted great companies of people to
the parlors over which Mrs. Hayes presides
with so much grace; and throughout the
city the residents and guests meet in all
kinds of social festivities. Washington,
however, is not very dssipated or gddy
city, in the sense in which these words
might be applied to other great capitals.
During the sessions oil Congress, it attracts a
large floating and fashionable population,
who desport themselves according to their
habits; and the army and navy people are
local or indigenous atmosphere of Washing
ton squitc humdrum. Our aristocracy here
is built upon system of clerkships to a
| great degree, aud our leaders of society,
when analysed, arc found to be persons of
very commonplace antecedents and very
limited incomes. The fashionable hours are
more sensible than in any other place.
Most of The receptions and hops begin at
eight or nine o'clock in the evening, and are
through before midnight, though, of course
there are young sprouts who dance all night
and sip ices at two or three o'clock in the
morning. These are exceptions, however
and it is, perhaps, due TO the fact that they
are exceptions, that our Washington girl,
have the reputation, which they do possess
Of being so rosy and beautiful iE appear
ance.
Two measures Of Importance have occu
pied nearly the whole attention of Congress
for a few days-the Funding Bill in Ia,
Senate and the River and IIarbor Bill il
the House. These, with the various Npprop
riations still pending, promise to be abou
all the business that can be successful,
wresiled with before the end of the session
arrives though there is Il probability that tn
aprortionment bill will be past. 1t is state,
that an understanding has been arrived a
among members Of both parties whereby tn
, number of Representatives can be fixed a
+ SO7 and put through at once, 10 cave extr
: sessions Of legislatures in many states.
; may be, therefore, that by the time this lei
ter reaches you the measure will be finel
9 under way. It's prompt passage at this sci
= sion is ga cousummation deYoutly to b
{ wished" not only because Of the immens
e saving to the people in avoiding speci'
o legislative sessions, but also because th
y next Congress will be very evenly divide
,. between the two parties and should Ii
/ matter go over political questions might
/, forced into its consideration resulting
y failure to pass il for two years,
n Such visitation Of water az came upe
4 the Capital last Saturday never occurred b
y = fore, and is not likely ever to occur again
e Congress does its duty. There have be,
/. floods here in years past but none to equ
n this. The old Potomac had twenty feet a
IS ded to its depths by the rain and meltiI
a snow in the streams above, and an ice bloc
u. ade turned it into the streets of the cit
=, street-ears were washed from their tIac
!, and abandoned, the lower floors Of hous
ge were submerged, including two hotels al
ia the Pennsylvania Railroad depot, while e'
u lars aud Easements all around were filled
or the great damage of their contents. An
Ne vs,srs subsidsd the aaoded streets a.