The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-03-10
Washington Letter.


Congress has adjourned for the forty.
seventh time sine die, and Washington has
already yielded up much OF its greatness,
tor many senators and members are al.
ready at their homes, others are on their
way thither, bu. some from northern sec,
tons will linger here for several weeks
yet. L. is the frat long vacation that the
majority of them have seen in prospect tor
several years. and rejoicing Is very gener,
al. There Is bu! little expectation OF an
extraisession Of the forty.eightb congress
being called, bu! yet the past has shown
that such a contingency may arise.
The most interesting events of Saturday
were the passage of the tariff bill, amid u
good deal of excitement in the House; the
retirement of Senator DAVIS, AID the elec.
ton of Senator Edmunds to the presidcn.
cy of the Senate. Contested election cases
aud routine business occupied large part
OF the time, and good many measures of
minor Importance slipped through.
The rush Of visitors 10 the Capitol In
creased each day OF the week, culM mating
Saturday evening about ten O'Clock on the
House side where hundreds Of people
waited in vain to get only peep into the
galleries. A great concession to women's
rights was finally made by a resolution
passed instructing the dOOr.keeptr to ad.
mt ladies' to the reporters gallery. This
eucroachmept upon the eIcluslveness 50
long enjoyed by the habltues Of this sane
tv,n sanctoruna aroused their indignation,
aud they forthwith complained to their pa.
pers OF intrlnged prerogatives, But the
ladies enjoyed the seats all the same. The
proceedings IN either end of the Capitol
have not been Of . nature to interest these
immense throngs that have packed the
galleries this week, and majority OF them
would have been puzzled to tell what they
found attractive In the halls of Congress.
IL was only good example of the gregari.
GUS nature Of humanity,
Between twenty and thirty Thousand
people visited the National Museum this
week to examine the United States fish ex,
hiblt ready to be shipped to the world ex-
hibition al London. 1t il the most com
pete exhibit that has ever been collected,
and comprises all specimens Of fish, from
the tlniest miunOw to the sperm whale.
The specimens are generally OF PAPER
mache, and are executed with wonderful
skill. The exhibit includes everything IL
Illustrating the habits Of fish, ana all facts
that fall under the head of an exhibit
The propagstory tank WAS most interest.
ing to visitors, showing the process OF
hntching, and the history OF salmon was
shown from the act of spawning TO that OF
being canned, Tho opening OF the exhibi
ton was at night when the museum was
illuminated by electric light and $500
people wers present by invitation. This
was the largest gathering that had collect
ed IN the building since the memorable
Garfield inaugural ball, and forctbly re-
called that occasion when the President,
worn and haggard by long day OF page
antry, and the eXaCting role Of his fame
and place, entered these halls with his
weary looking wife on his arm.
Washington Is the only city OF the
Union, whose people really regret the ad
journment of Congress. Business consid-
erations are the chief reasons why the
breaking up disconcorts Washington life
Out IL also seFcis pleasant sOCidi WIS "hu
separates friends. The visiting of The
week in congressional society psstook OF
the nature of tarewels. The air was full
of the questions, when do you leave"
Where will you go'" "Shall see you
uext SUMMER or IL will meet you herr
next winter" Some of the Senators anc
Representatives contemplate European
trips for the summer, others will visit th'
Pacific slope. Some will take their fam
lies to Fortress Monroe and Old Poin
Comfort. Senator Mshono and wife vii
go to Mexico. Mrs. McElroy held her las
drawing room reception of the season a
the White House on Saturday afternoon
The fine weather, with the fact that 1t wa
the last OF the series. caused q large attend
snce, which with the cordiality of the II
ceiving party, reminded one Of the Satur
lays when Mrs. Hayes enacted the role G
first lady" and everyone felt PERSONAL
! welcome in her warm grasp and trigf
smile. The Marine band, as usual, va
supposed 10 have rendered fine music /
the vesiibule, though nothing but the bi
drum could be heard above the din Of III
hundreds OF voices in the different parlor