Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-11-14
WASHINGTON.


The week following election is
always an interesting one in Wash
ington, and the past week has by no
means been an exception to the rule.
The smiling countenances to be seen
everywhere indicate that the success
of the Democrats in electing their
State tickets in New York and Nir-
ginia has caused the members of that
party, of all shades of opinion, from
the earnest supporters Of the admins
tration to those who firmly believe in
the motto, "to the victors belong the
spoils,' to rejoice together. The
friends of the administration claim
that the result in New York State is
splendid Endorsement of Cleveland's
policy. The expressions heard in the
hotel Hobbies are highly amusing.
The Democrats are everywhere twitt-
ing the Republicans means ofgetting
even with them for their own rejoic-
ings when the Ohio result was an
nounced.
The President returned to Wash
ington on Wednesday, and has since
been hard at work. He says that
the rule recently established denying
audiences to Office seekers is to be
rigidly enforced, and that even mem
bers of Congress will not be excepted
from its provisions, though there are
many persons who predict that when
Congress convenes the pressure will
be so great that it will be found
absolutely necessary to either modify
or abolish the rule.
The Misunderstanding Potomac
Flats, embracing hundreds of acres
of low, marshy land, and extending
along the entire river front of the
National Capital, will soon be known
/
only in history. During the summer
months these flat lands have beer
covered with a rank growth of wild
rice, the decay of which in the fall o
the year has rendered that portion o
the city adjoining the river from
extremely unhealthy and undesirable
as a place of residence. About three
years ago Congress appropriatedS5OO,
600 with which to commence the
work of retaining these flat lands
and the work has been prosecuted
vigorously since that time. a sub
stantial sea wall was first built alOns
the outer boundary of the flats, anC
a number of hydraulic dredges have
since been engaged night and day il
pumping mud from the bottom oftht
channel in the river, and forcing thu
same by means ofimmense iron pipe
out upon the fiat lands in the rear 0
the wall. Several hundred acres 0
ground, which before the work com
menced were covered with water a
every flood tide, have in this manneI
been raised above the tide level, ant
are now covered with young an(
vigorous growing eucalyptus anC
other trees. AS the material used il
retaining the flats is taken from the
channel of the stream, a double objec
is gained by the system adopted fOl
doing the work, as besides improving
the flats a channel is secured of suffi
cient depth to admit of the passage o
the largest vessels. If nothing occur
to interfere with the progress of tn,
work, the contractors promise it
completion during the next season
and what was once fever-breedin,
marsh, will eventually be converted
into a magnificent public park.
Since the result of the election
became known it is thought that tn
prospects of harmony among tn
Democratic members Of Congress
much improved. There will probabl
be no contest over the SpeakershiE
and very little over the organization
Of the House. Very little will b
done until after holidays, when
pretty active time may he expected
though the fighting is likely to b
mainly between the Republican an
Democratic sides Of the House.
II.