The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-11-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
GETTING READY FOR CONGRESS.
Many Winter Residents Arriving and a
Rush soon Antioipat-d-Rapid Im-
prOvement Of tho City-UtiI-
ity of Civil Service.

WASHINGTON, Nov. S.-lCorrespou-
donce. Notwithstanding the excite
nent occasonod by the elections, Wash
ngton is now alive to the fact that but
four weeks remain before the assemb
ling Of congress. The city emerged
nom her long summer siesta some time
ago to have her attention distracted by
the problem of the presidency, but now
that the eve Of the end of the contest has
come, there has begun ia Washington q
BUSY, busting era of preparation for the
advent of scmbled wisdom at the Ca o.
itnl. The dawn OF the coming winter
season at the national capital is unu-
Nu0ily radiant. It's glow is already
reflected over the city, and is
prophetic Of season Of politics and
gatty such as will shadow remon-
brauces of many preceding congress
sIonal sessions. Many of that class of
people who possess wealth and culture.
and make Washington II winter resort.
nave alrtady ed. They will now
be followed by general rush IRON all
parts % the country, at the heels OF
which will como tagging the usual fam
lshed train OF bipods looking to their
Uncle sam for something to turn up."
Ihen the ball begins. Congress and so
clety VIII vie for supremacy. The for
mer VIII interest, but the latter will daZ-
zle. The power OF society in Washing
ton has indeed TO be seen to be fully an
preciated. IL eXerts a strong contrOil,
even over congress in that II lures and
retains both representative and senator
away from their duties Mt the capitol
Not inirequenlly does the house of rep
reseutatlVos await Il quorum until It's
members can be arrested in the enjoy
ment of the mazes of Terpsichore and
returned captive by the sergeant-at-
arms. The monarchs Of this power the
society leaders, continually strain every
nerve TO increase It's magnetism and
they promise for this season u success
sion of entertainments ON scale that
has not heretofore been attempted.
Gossip, the ambassador and minister
plenipotentiary Of the social world, tells
thlS year OF mysterious costumes and
surprises that will fairly astound, and
add great y to the splendor of the dis
play. ~ Is already manifest that be-
tween Vanity Fair and the National
Legislature there will bo nothing dor
mant in Washington this fall and win
ter, from the first social whirl to the in
Permission which ensues with sOmbre
Lent.
A walk about the city surprises the
summer absentee, and expressions of
astonlshment are heard on all sides at
the transformations effected during
their absence. In rapid improvement
washington IL perhaps the most re.
markable city in the world. Each year
the magic hand OF the builde. works
surprises in new designs of brick, stone
and mortar. New streets are opened
aud paved with asphalt. Vast public
buildings are reared. Dreary wastes of
ground are metamorphosed into verdant
parks. The District government, that
mas done so much to make the capital
the PRIDE OF the American people, has
not been idle all summer. Its ener-
Ky IL specially manifest by new aspbalt
paVements, and the improvements
upon Washington's parks; and the little
Triangular green patches, which form
Wherever the oblique avenues cross the
rlght-angular streets, also indicate
much care and cultivation. Provision
IL soon to be made for planting shade
trees on Pennsylvania Avenue, which
now presents "a beautiful smooth stretch
OF asphalt from the capitol to the south
gate OF the treasury department, marred
only ny car track down its center
- hNpi't Nv lOuT OclOck, the
outpour from the government depart
menus mingles with fashion prom
enade upon this north sidewalk, in con
trast with the almost deserted south
sue OF the avenue. Itis curious, this
iacC OF pennsylvania Avenue, that A.
most all its foot traffic and the majority
OF us business is upon the north side.
whlle It's southern sidewalk ia bare and
uninviting.
Washington IL happy in another inn
proNehlent. The howl OF tho office
seeker ~ nearly inaudible. This strange.
nopeiui variety Oh the genus homo we
nave always with us. lie does not mi
CRATE with the rest of Washingtoninns
Tor a summer holiday, but plies his vo-
cation the year round. lie formerly
male life uncomfortable to the president
ana tho heads of the departments. No
amount OF vigilance thwarted his bold
designs. But he Is at last conquered by
the horrors of the rigid competitive ex-
animation. He shrlnks from the
lrOwns of the civil service measures.
Ine majority of this recently iornlida-
ble army are awed into complete nh.
ssence, but the most daring of the great
hungry horde still loiter around and
ltebly howl their presence.
Much attention II now directed tow
0rds the Washington monument as IL
approaches completion. The tall, white
marble SHAFT may already he seen from
almost any part of the city, and soon
the question of the grand dedication
ceremonies will he mooted.