The Florida agriculturist., 1885-02-25
Washington Letter.

The threatened extra session of Con-
gress has been the chief subject of spec
ulation during the week on Capitol Hill
There is difference of opinion as to
whether it will be called or not. Sena-
tors are generally of the belief that there
need be no extra session, while members
of the House think it cannot be averted.
A Senator remarked to me YESTERDAY
that he never in all his experience in
| Congress, saw the appropriations in bet
ter shape, and that they could get them
all out of the way by the fourth of March.
Halt an hour afterward heard a repre-
sentative declare that the appropriations
were in very bad condition and he did
not see how they could be passed in time
to avoid an extra session. Then there is
an impression among the Democrats that
the Republicans are working secretly to
force an extra session, while the Repub-
licans believe there is clique of Demo-
Gratis who are trying to bring about the
same result. The question was sprung
SO unexpectedly that many congressman
are alarmed at the probable Illustration
OF their well-laid plans for the coming
summer. Senators would be less incon-
venienced than members by call of the
Forty-ninth Congress. Many of them
circumstances spend the greater part of
their summer here.
The dynamite bill died quiet death,
the dynamite sympathizers were deprived
OF an opportunity to declare their views
OH the floor of Congress, and the expect
ed qRarrel was avoided, and the House
OF representatives got out of the dyna-
mite business without committing itself
In any way. The House Foreign Affairs
committe voted that it is beneath the
dignity OF the House to pass dynamite
resolution similar in tone to that passed
by the Senate. 1t behooves the Senate
i to look to its dignity after this rebuke.
The upper chamber has been considered
| very strong in that line, heretofore,
while the House has had bad name for
easy morals and random manners.
i Another House committee has just
taken action that will be very disap-
pointing togentlemenw who conte seats
! IN previous Congresses, and who have
| filed claims to be remunerated for the
expense of the contests. There are
many OF these claims, and many of the
owners are now in the city, thinking to
get them through Congress in the hurry
of the closing days of the session. The
committee has decided to report only
those claims where the contests were for
seats in the present House.
Mr.. Cleveland's friends and 7dvisers
are expecting and hoping that he will
announce his Cabinet within the present
week. They think it best that the hopes,
anXletles and disappointments Of aspir-
ants should be over with as soon as pos
slble, so that some necessary preparation
may be made by the fourth of March.
Mr.. Cleveland intimated to a certain
statesman that he would make his slate
public by the twenty-second of Febru-
ary, and that all the names would be an
nounced at once. All politicians in
Washington think Mr. Bayard will be
the next Secretary of State.
A great deal OF interest is manifested
in the work OF preparing the new PEN
sion building for the inaugural festivities
and many have expressed doubt as to
whether it would be ready by the fourth.
But one OF the managers said yesterday,
"They need not fear, everything will be
ready in time. We know just where we
are and where we will end, besides, we
will have by far the finest parade, decor
atoms, and pyrotechnics the people of
this country have ever seen.' 1t is evil
dent no time is being lost at the Pension
building. A large force of men work in
rain and snow, both day and night.
On Saturday next the Washington
Monument will be dedicated with becom-
ing pomp and ceremony. Many visitors
are expected to attend, and while they
are in the city President Arthur will hold
his last reception, so that they can meet
him and shake hands.
Since its completion, the Monument
has been photographed by artists from
many cities. There is scarcely conceiy-
able view of the shaft that has not been
taken by the camera. And these pictures
have been taken morning noon and night.
by daylight and moonlight. But they
are not satisfactory 4 picture that
shows the simple outlines and loses all
the effect OF the proportions is not strik
ing. The memorial is, in itself, impos-
ing and grand, but it requires a back
ground OF sky and plain to inspire admi-
ration. The only approach to work of
art that | have seen is a picture that
shows the reflection of the Monument
in the lake beside it. 1t has been dem
onstrated by critics that it is almost inn
possible to correctly describe the Monu-
ment by any word in the language. and
now it has been shown that it is impos-
sible to correctly represent on canvass
or cardboard, by camera, paint brush or
pencil-the highest of earthly structures.
Washington. Febratdrg 10, 1881.