Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-07

The river and harbor bill has made very little pro-
gress thus far and It's future Is not OF the bright
est A determined opposition to the Eads- Calves
toe job Is developed, and there are the eusto-
mary humorous references TO trout streams with
hard Indian names The bill Is denounced as
worse than that Of the last Congress vetoed by
President Arthur, that its fate is doubtful, even
IL IL squeezes through Congress.
The course OF debate has brought out two or three
interesting features One has been mentioned
the hostility TO the Eads-Gaveston scheme
Another Is the attempt TO exclude civil engineers
from all work under the bill. Congress Will
scarcely be so foolish as that, but the proposal
II SERIOUSLY made and debated. A third item OF
interest Is the notification by Mr.. Breckenridge
that he intends. at the next session Of Congress-
TO try TO have created a separate and permanent
oure au OF public works 10 have charge Of the sub
ject OF river and harbor improvements.
Under Mr. RandllIs notice served on the House
yesterday, that the appropriations committee in
tended 10 take the floor next Monday this is the
last day OF grace for the bill; and such being the
case, its friends may we'll be anxious Only sr I'll
portion OF the states have been considered and very
few OF the really Questionable features have been
reached
Inc pecuiarities Of the bill make members rrita-
DIE several squabbles have marked the debate, one
or two being rather serious and more being funny.
Inc ever useful sir has thus far interviewed 10 pre-
vent actual bood-lettlng and II Is to be hoped that
members viii adhere TO the practice Of looking and
speaking daggers, but using none
The action OF the several railway companies IN
Issuing excursion tickets sufficiently long-ltved TO
enable holders to visit Washington and remain
here long enough to participate in both the dedica-
tion OF the Washington Monument and the inaug-
uration OF the new President, was well meant, and
as liberal any one could ask but it seems likely
10 De unnecessary, In part, at least The course
taken by Congress IN making the first named ce.e-
bration purely private entertainment IL caIcu-
lated 10 Keep people away from it rather than to
bring them here TO take part in.the pageant, and
enjoy The Intellectual features OF the DAYS proceed
1ngs, as they largely hoped to be allowed 70 do.
The public should not, however. stay away on that
account II Ii cannot get admission to the whole
SHOW, IL can at least see the members OF the two
Houses riding down Pennsylvania avenue in car
riages paid for out OF the public treasury, at the
rate OF $50 apiece and this OF itself ouy ht to be
worth long trip. The spectacle may not be an
imposing one, considered a display OF intellectual
or physical development, pure ana simple, but it
VIII serve to Illustrate the austere grandeur OF that
body and Its growing disposition to appropriate TO
Itself those things which from their nature and
purpose belong TO the people themselves In that
Light the sight viii be well worth seeing.
Nothing new comes from Khartourn. but the feel
Ing Is spreading that the capture OF the CITY lust
on the eve OF relief was more than coincidence
1t Is held by many that the hahdi had the city In
his power for some time, but delayed taking pos
session In order TO lure the army OF relief into the
desert. IL certainly looks II the Mahdi had little
trouble In undermining GOrdOn's forces and lin
Ing the fortress when IL became necessary for him
70 act at once. Such plan as this assumes more
military strategy in the Mahdi than he has been
generally credited with. but ii may be the true ex-
PLANTATION OF the Catastrophe.
The disaster produces IN England the inevitable
effect Of uniting all classes in determination to
subdue the Mahd at any cost. Such course is re-
CURED by national pride and by the higher consld-
erations OF national safety The situation recalls
that Of the SepOy rebellion in Indls. and the world
Is familiar with the vigor with Wnich the British
dealt with that outbreak