New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1884-07-23
WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1884

WAsH1NeroN, July 10, 1884.
Congress which has been going,
going, for so long has gone, for a
while. At least the battle of the
first session lof the Forty eighth
Congress is over and many states
men who have nobly fought for
nothing, are Fastening to their
homes. Many will remain, how
ever, some time in the city, having
business for constituents before the
Departments, and private matters
to close up. Many also have ele-
CANT residences III Washington,
where they claim to enjoy more
ease, comfort and recreation than.
by seeking summer resorts.
But the Capitol look, dreary and
deserted. The star spangled ban.
ner no longer waves from the SEN
ate, and House wings The host
that for more than seven months,
have poured through the halls, have
fled, leaving much dust and bad
odor. The corridors have assumed
their summer air Of emptiness, and
rescund with hollow echoes to the
tread Of tramps, tourists, and hon.
eymooners. There are at all times
parties of sight seers roaming
through the building, but they look
disappointed when Congress is not
in session, aud are incredulous Of
the wonderful stories the guides are
wont to impose upon vacation visi-
tors.
A number Of committees have
been empowered to hold sessions
during the summer. On the House
side there are three Of them-that
on the selection Of material for the
construction Of ordnance, the one
to consider South America relations
and the Appropriation committee.
The Senate has authorized eight
committees to sit during the recess,
and most of them to select their
own places for holding sessions.
The committee on transportation
routes to the seaboard is the most
important Of these. Another
chance for a junketing trip is af.
forded in the case Of the Committee
on finance, which will spend some
time in New York investigating
AMI reporting whether or not there
is any additional national bank leg
islation necessary. They are to
have SO 900, aud are permitted to
employ a stenographer and some
special examiners.
The Forty .eighth Congress will
not be distinguished in history for
what it accomplished at its firstses-
sion. It set out to do many brave
things, but its pathway is thickly
strewn with failures. Notably
among these may be mentioned an
effort to reform the Tariff and re.
duce the revenue. Another was a
scheme to put Fitz John Porter on
the retired list Of the Army. A
tremendous onslaught was made on
land grant railroads at the opening
Of the session. but after all that
fusilade of furfeiting bills only two
or three little grants were repealed.
Of the ten thousand bills and reso-
buttons that have heen introducedin
both Houses during the last seven
months about 1913 bills and 40 reso-
lu,ions have become laws. While
this record is anything but glori.
Gus, solace may be gathered for the
derelictions Of the expired Congress
in the reflection that il has done nc
great harm, and that it might have
been worse. After endeavoring in
vain to think of something to en-.
llogize III the departed, one can hon.
estly say that it was, at least, agood
quiet kind Of Congress.
The clerks in the various depart,
nlents here were greatly agitatsd
over the announcement that Con
gress had neglected to make an ap
preparation for the 9th inst. Il
some Of them a days wages meant
the necessities Of life. They hao
the consolation, however, which
they could derive from the fact thai
every one paid BY Uucle Sam from
the President down to the scullions
| G Congressman who are to blame in
clnded, lost one day pay. The de
duction from President Arthur
salary was $135, IS.
The Architect Of the Capitol is ii
]. q strange dilemma. The work be
! gun several years ago BY an Italian
4 artist upon the historic fresco belt
ling the interior Of the rotunda,s ia
met with an insurmo unta bic bsta
|scle, and the decoration must be sus
4 pended temporarily. The idea
1 scenes upon the frieze are designel
]. to represent the history Of the nsy
i world from its discovery, beginnin,
i with the landing Of Column bus, an,
1.-The completed work extends abou
l three foufths Of She way around
j The painting has the effect Of has
relief, and Is quite tine from al a