Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-16
wAsnIseros, d. c.. Dec. II, 1888

| WAsHsGroS, ID. c., Dec. IL, 1884.
| Editor Renne5ee Journal:
| The last session of the Both Congress is
not likely 10 be a very noted one. The
Presidential question having been settled,
members Of that august body seem TO be
giving themselves a rest, and. taking into
| consideration the shortness of the session and
| the want of harmony Of the dominant party
/ ~ to measures. a quiet and inactive session
! j. all that could be expected The pension
appropriation bill is the only oneA that Is in
| state Of complete forwardness, and may be
passed bv both houses prior TO the Christmas
I recess The Mexican war pension bill Will
/ probably be another bill that will be early
considered and no doubt passed as no parti-
/ zan distractions will be likely to be offered.
/ Minor claims and bills on the calendars of
either house stand poor chance OF being
| considered, except "a here and there very
pressing case is pushed by some member
How these heaps of claims, both good and
bad. are ever 20 be reached is beyond nv
comprehension, and think beyond the scope
of a majority of the Legislators themselves.
We have a great country, and its demands
are increasing faster than can be accommo-
dated by the present mode of legislation
restricted. We want some new Alexander
Hamilton to originate and bring into exercise
new and more expeditions methods, which
may keep pace with telephones and electric
batteries Old things have, or should have
passed away, and all things have become new.
The city is fast filling up with politicians
and sight-.eers, and even now broad Pennsyl-
vania Avenue, nearly rivals New Yorks
Broadway. As February and March draw
nigh the accommodations of the city will be
tested 10 their utmost capacity. The crowd
will be enormous. and as the two celebrations
that Of the Washington monument and the
Inauguration come near together, many will
come 10 the first and remain over to the last.
Hotels, clearinghouse and restaurants will
do a tremendous business. especially the lat
ter II might do st. John good to come here
and witness the grand boom he has given the
temperance cause by his late arduous cam
paign. Boston republicans and democrats of
the tree and easy sort feel that, hereafter
they viii be under no obligations to thar class
of politicians and will manifest that feeling
bv taking extra drinks. A very large num-
Der Of military and civic organizations from
every part Of the country are coming. and
those Of the district are making unusual
preparations 70 appear ont IN large numbers.
The Washington monument, "a now com
pletad, is a most majestic column. The stag
ing has been taken awav from the top and
the fine point of the shaft piercing into the
clouds makes one pause, look mp
and wonder. To see our countrys flag
floating as it vas last Sunday, 600 feet in the
air upon structure formed by human hands
was sight il made one prond to witness 1t
will take at least two years TO complete the
| inside, and the approaches To the struture.
D ~. tr.,t, 4fpfs4 nd NJ
the inside and one of the beat of elevators
will carry those up who prefer this TO an ardu
Gus climb Electric lights will dispel the
darkness and gloom which now hold posses
/ sion of the interior day and night
/ Whichever way one enters Washington, he
sees towering up to the skies, as it were, the
monument at one side and the Capitol dome
nj the other of our city. while the great pub
/ lie buildings spread their gigantic proportions
| horizontally. the whole at once creating Curl
ostv, pride and admiration. Either in win
ter or in summer the attractions of the CAPT
tai (Which are constantly growing are most
numerous and invite. and the invitation is re-
ceiving the attention of thousands besides
those Immediately interested.
We have many minor attractions which are
seldom spoken of, among them log hut or
cabin in true western style, and a house up
in tree. OF these | shall speak more in
detail in some other letter.
The weather is remarkably mild and pleas
ant, and seems to have no malarial effect in
connection as such unreasonable conditions
usually do. This, with the brilliant pink
sunsets, the continuation of the red sunsets
in milder form, renders our sunsets just
now equal TO any that Italy affords.
One great improvement is now going on,
viz: All the telegraph poles and wires which
have been in such ugly contrast with the
otherwise beautiful combinations, are being
taken down and the lines are going under.
ground. At the same time electric under
ground wires are being laid so that our city
will soon have more light if not more wisdom
f. J. b.