Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-12-11

PATED.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. It'll, 1882.
Editors KenneGee Journal:
The roll of time brings uppermost again
the days of interest at the national capital.
Again the grave and dignifed Senators and
the promiscous crowd of "the other House"
appear in our streets on their way to the
great building which stands out so conspicu-
ously on the crest Of our prominent bill, pure
and white in the sunlight, and forever repre-
senting the intelligence, the wealth and the
greatness of the Yankee nation. After all,
in spite of the jests, ridicule and sometimes
contempt which are evolved from parties and
the press, relative to the American Congress
and its surroundings, there is grandeur and
sublimity, as well as excitement and enjoy
ment in Witnessing this large body which is
supposed to represent the aspirations, the
hopes, the fruitions and the achievements of
the great American people. Part of this
mass may be unfaithful unworthy; but
the larger portion truly stands as an emblem
of what we are or hope to be as nation.
The capital city from year to yegr is becom
ing more and more aware that we are great
country and that it 10 becoming really and truly
the political center of this greatness. Out
siders, too are becoming aware of it, and
many who love political, social and miscel-
laneous excitements. finding these fully de-
veloped here, are coming to make the city
their abiding place; hence we see an almost
wonderful growth in population and very
notable increase in the construction of mas
sive or elegant residences and other build
ings. The entire northwestern part of the
city which but few years since was a
marshy fiat, is now magnifcently adorned
with finely paved streets and stately resi-
deces; in fact it is the finest portion of our
beautiful city.
In this portion. in the most commanding
locality is Secretary Blaine's new resi-
dence, which, with a half dozen or so except
ing, is the finest in Washington. Not that it
is so very costly, perhaps, but it is built
and arranged. both inside and out, as to pre-
sent very stately and elegant appearance.
Real estate in this vicinity which ten years
ago could be bought for twenty five and fifty
cents per foot, is now selling Cor two. three,
and even four dollars per foot. And yet.
farther out and around is the higher ground
of the city which commands the finest views,
but which is as vet hardly built upon. The
day is not far distant when this will be eager
ly taken up and built upon, and probably the
wealth and fashion of the city will here con-
gregate, as they have in the higher or outer
parts of New York, Boston and other large
cities.
The SESSION.
Congress seems to have come together with
many definite and fixed purposes. 1t is never
too late to mend. There were many things
left undone at the last long session which
could easily have been done had members
been in earnest. But there was q manifest
desire on the part of the majority to daily, or
to wait to postpone, or to shift the response
bility upon others, and so some of the most
important issues were left undetermined and
acts unfinished. Quite large majority of
these indeterminate quantities, called mem
bers of Congress, have received more than
gentle notice by the people that their services
are no longer required, and those that still
remain evidently have taken the hint that
unless they are up and doing betimes, they
also will have similar notice at no verv distant
day. The reduction of our taxes, the question
of tariff, the necessity of . true civil service
reform. and other important issues will evil
IDENTIFY receive immediate attention, and proba-
bly, definite action thereupon, unless party
spirit should interfere TO prevent. This, it is
to be hoped, will not be raised to that extent.
More than this, there is reason to believe it
will not be for the reason that both parties
see that the people are in earnest about these
matters, and that any factional or dilatory
proceedings wnich are Intentionally put forth
hx,o ;t.
interests.
Although the session will be so short, a
punctual attendance. short holiday recess
and cooperative action will enable Congress
to accomplish wonders if it will. None of
the members seem to anticipate called
session, and this feeling is good augury.
But we shall soon see what we shall see.
The GARFIELD FAIR.
The fair for the benefit of the Garfield
monument held in the Capitol building. al
though quite substantial and brilliant
affair, was not. financially, much of .
success. The Executive Committee hoped
to clear at least So, 900, but will probably
have not over $1,000 or $4,000 in their
treasury when all bills are paid. Many
excuses and explanations are given why the
fair was not more pronounced success;
but think the chief reasons are, the wrong
SEASON VI the year, Tue WdHt Vi SYSTEM Oi
advertising. an inefficient Executive Com
mittee and the iRdefniteness of the project.
As regards the latter. had it been for the
benefit of the Garfield Hospital, ten fold
more interest would have been shown.
When our great men have died, and deep
sorrow has been created. projects for monu-
Ments have been at once started, but some
how or other most of them have fallen
through. The general sense of the American
people is. think, that mems lives and deeds
are their greatest monuments, and if these
have been devoted to their country and TO
good, monuments are already erected in the
hearts of the people and in history for the
generations that come after. But the idea of
establishing hospital for the suffering, to
be named after the suffering Garfield, touch
ed the hearts and pockets of thousands Had
this fair been for that purpose, no doubt q
far larger sum would have been
raised. As il was, the enterprise