Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-11-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular Correspondent)l


In two weeks from to-day, the
Thirty-seventh Congress will as
semble for its final session., A large
number of Senators and members
are already here, and, during the
past week, many familiar faces,
absent during the vacation, have
been again seen on the streets and
about the Hobbies of the hotels. The
session will be short, for the term of
the present Congress will expire on
the 4th OF March, and, If the usual
holiday adjournment is taken, there
will be scarcely more than two
months for legislative work.
The message of the President is
understood to be nearly ready for
presentation to Congress, and it is
rumored that it will urge the adop-
ton of radical civil service reform
measures, the almost total abolition
of the present internal revenue sys-
tenn, and a reduction of tariff duties.
1t is not believed, however, by
those who know the temper OF
Congress, that any important
changes in the tariff will be made
this session.
The first business that will come
before the House of Representatives
will be relative to nearly two hum
dred bills passed by the Senate, and
now awaiting the action OF the
House. These bills are simple in
their character and many of them
have already been favorably report
ed upon by House committees. 1t
is thought that the larger number
will be passed without debate.
The Secretary of War will recon-
mend that no river and harbor bill
be passed this session, there being
an unexpended surplus of So, 900, 900
from the appropriation of last ses-
sion. Gen. Sherman, in his report,
has urged an increase of the army,
but it is not probable that Congress
will see a necessity for such in
crease. No important legislation,
it is thought, will prevail in rela-
ton to either the army or the navy.
Appropriations will be passed
maintaining the military and naval
establishments at about their pres
ent status, There is much talk in
both the Army and Navy Depart.
ments of a more rigid enforcement
of real service upon large number
of gilded shirks from West Point
and from the Naval Academy, who
manage to remain at Washington,
New York, Fortress Monroe, Phila-
delphia and Boston, or who get off
to Europe, on full pay, thus secur:
ing the delights of society and trav-
ell at the expense of the taxpayer,
and uniting themselves for the
work they were educated at public
expense to perform. 1t is doubtful,
however, if legislation can effect
this much needed reform. Army
and naval officers are so entrenched
by relationship and marriage con-
nection with influential Senators
and members that nothing short of
the heroism that pIucks out the
offending right eye will eradicate
this evil. Vii.
1t is expected that the coming
season will be brief, |
busy and brilliant. 1 am told by |
real estate agents that the demand |
for houses is greater than it has
ever been before, and hotel keepers |
say that this promises to be the
most prosperous season they have
known. The Garfield Memorial
Fair will bring large number of
visitors to the city, and many more
are expected to come with the be-
ginning of the Congressional ses-
sion. A large number will doubt
less remain until the adjournment
Of Congress.
Those who are familiar with the
Capital will not fail to observe i'm
provements of both a public and
! private character. The work of
lemolishing and rebuilding has
been going on all summer. Many
elegant private residences have
been built, and many streets have
been paved and otherwise improv-
I'd. A new sidewalk has been laid
IN the north side of Pennsylvania
Avenue the entire distance from
he Capitol to the Treasury De- |
and this national prom
made will doubtless again attract
he distinguished and fashionable
hrong that had almost deserted ii. +
Washington, Nov. 90, 1882.