The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-12-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. c., December IS, 1882

WASHINGTON, D. c., December IS, 1882.
Tt NATIONAL CAPITAL
1t may be truthfully said that there is no city
in the world of greater interest than that bearing
the name of the immortal commsuder of the
Revolutionary armies. 1t is indeed true of it as
a city as it was of him as man, that it is first
in the hearts of his countrymen.
This is not only natural but proper 1t is the
only spot owned in common by the siserhood
of States, and under exclusive control of their
Senators and Representatives Here is the dc.
posted wealth of the nation, not only in the
Treasury, but in the grand colossal public build
ings, the statues erected TO perpetuate the men,
DRY of our noble dead, and in its spacious ave
nues and boulevards, which have already cost
twenty million dollars.
This grand and beautiful city should then be
like rivet 10 secure and strengthen each link
in the chain of our Union.
Nesting as it does ON the banks of the roman.
tic Potomac, sheltered rom the north and west
by the friendly peaks of the Blue Ridge and Al
leghanies, it lays in the sunlight of an almost
special providence, peculiarly suited in its mild
and beautiful climate as q winter residence for
cosmopolitan population gathered from every
section Of the thirty-eght commonwealth which
owa it.
Iu it all extremes of temperature are toned to
pleasant mean, enjoyable alike by all who seek
variety and pleasure within its borders.
Washington constitutes not only the seat of
government, but forms, during the sessions of
Congress one continuous
TABLEAU vIyANT
where the intellectual and social greatness of the
nation can be seen, not only in the striking con-
trasts which men and women from the different
sections of the Union present, but in the express
sive harmony which settles over all, picturing in
fullness what constitutes the true @gis of our in
situations, viz: common interest 80 Intense as
to hide with its overshadowing greatness all in
dividual and sectional differences.
This is the centre from which pulsates our ma
tional life, whence radiates the light of our be-
Dign institutions, and the spot standing upon
which every American can feel that he is, indeed,
at home. All eyesyturn 10 1t to see that the
guards on the walls 6f our nationality are keep
ing faithful WATCH and all ears listen nstinctively
to the tale OF events which each day goes out
from lis portals, and news from Washington
must form an interesting feature at each hearth
stone in our land.
AS a news centre Washington grows in inter-
est with each advancing year. and never was it
more attractive than this winter. ROBBED as it is
at present in holiday attire, its bazaars respeud-
ent with the blaze of electric light, the beautiful
wares and mo'e beautiful throng of visitors press
ing to and 70 In gay costumes, 1t presents
tn he abr rod Inv vl,,> ;t
be read Of with interest by all the readers of the
land.
DolNGs OF CONGRESS.
Congress forms the greatest center of interest.
The attention of both houses, but principally of
the Senate has been devoted during the past
week Ia great measure to the introduction and
discussion of bills and amendments relating to
civil service reform. Senator Pendletons bill
has been the special order in the Senate each day
after the expiration of the morning hour. The
Democrats generally oppose and the Republicans
favor the bill Many Senators .have taken oc-
casion to make extended political speeches
reviewing party history, party tactics in cleo
lions, and all the details of party management.
Senator Vest made an extended speech on
Thursday, opposing the bill. He called II an
experiment that had been once tried by Gen.
Grant 10 1871 when he recommended certain
regulations almost Identical with the provisions
Of the pending bill, and what had become of
those regulations
He further argued that when Mr.. Schurz was
Secretary of the interior he had made an attempt
10 put them Ia force. and they were ostensibly
In Force now In the Treasury Department, yet
no Democrat could get az appointment.
Mr.. Barrow Senator Hills successor) op.
posed the bill. What was required was not q
now system, but the expulaion Of tho lmen who
have abused and degraded the service.
Mr. Dawes said that long ago he had ladvo-
Gated The principles now embodied In part In
this bin, but with % little success that he had
been forced 70 The concluaiou thst bel0rs the