The Dawson journal., 1883-10-11
WASHINGTON LErrEIs.
From Our Regular Correspondent.

OA -1OHtttSN. 1<CCCHibFA ts NLtC Ed-
vel will fall at tie Capitol, and Con-
gress will be once more with us.
This coming event is heralded by the
changed aspect OF the city, and by
the many old and familiar faces one
is apt to meet in a stroll about the
political and social centres Of Wash
ington. The city is in glow that
Will very soon merge into white
heat, ard shine with dazzling bill
liancy during the coming season.
Politics and society are the very
heart of Washington life. They
from the magnet which attracts the
winter host. The power of this mag
net increases every year. It's attrac-
ton is felt not only in even remote
corners of this country, but some
times in Europe. 1t is its influence,
III connection with the chilly fore
warnings of hoary winter, that lures
the society belle from her salt water
or rustic retreat back to the Capital.
1t IS its influence that thrills the con-
gresham about this time, and leads
captive into Washington with his
body guard of ladies aud consti-
tuents. 1t is its influence that draws
the army of iobbists, and a train of
bipeds looking for something to turn
up. 1t is, in fact, this power that
secures the winter personnel of the
National Capital. In sections and
squads they come now, but soon the
great host will suddenly swoop down
upon us, and futter for awhile, and
then settle for the season. For this
influx Washington has prepared du-
ring her summer respite. She has
donned new attire, and is ready to
courtesy on the arrival Of the guests.
Indoors and out the city has been
swept and garnished. Miles of
streets have been smoothly paved
with asphalt. New parks have been
sodded and planted with shade trees.
A new granolithic sidewalk adorns
Pennsylvania Avenue from the Can
itol to the Treasury. Every day
marks further filing in Of the flats,
the alleged source of Congressional
malaria. The Capitol has been paint
ed and frescoed interiorIy The East
Room of the white House has under
gone elaborate decoration. The new
Pension Building stands as far as
the first story above the ground.
The Washington Monument viii
reach height of 410 feet this sea-
son; already It's apex can be seen
towering among the clouds, from
almost any part of the city.
Washington is happy in another
Improvement. The howl of the of
fee seeker is nearly inaudible. This
strange, hopeful variety Of the genus
homo we have always with us. He
does not migrate with the rest of
Washingtonians for summer holi-
day, but plies his vocation the year
round. He formerly made life unen-
durable to the President and the
heads of departments. No amount
of vigilance thwarted his bold de-
signs. But he is at last conquered
by the horrors Of a rigid competi-
tive examination. He shrieks from
the frowns of the civil service meas.
ures enacted at the last session OF
Congress. The majority of this re-
Gently formidable army are awed in
to complete absence. but the most
daring of the great hungry horde
stiA loiter around and feebly howl
their presence.
Civil service reform is on the tapis
p now 1t is the prime subiectof dis
cnsslon, and takes precedence over
the speakership enigma, the tariff.
and the result in 1884. The saees
e lind themselves compelled to turn in
ntter despair from argument on this
many sided question. Whichever
way they turn brings them into a
collision with snag of defects. The
present law is assailed in many ways.
The majority of Cover nment chiefs
and their subordinates are in favor
OF promotion by selection, and argue
= that competitive examination costs
more than 1t amounts to. The civil
service commission receives but little
help and cooperation from the De-
partments. 1t is understood that
the chef topic of the Presidents
message will be the question Of civil
service reform.
The President will find unweicome
relief from bis piscatorial pastime at
west Island, near Newport, in the
preparation of his annual message to
Congress. The message will receive
immediate attention on his return
but he will be materially assisted in