Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-05-19
from our regular correspondent. I

From our regular correspondent.
In Congress one day is not unlike anoth-
er day, except some little affair of an eXcit-
ing nature turns up to break the mOnotony.
Tie House is like big ill-regulated school.
There is buzz of voices, the rapping of the
Speakers gavel and his constant invitations
to the House to ''please be in order,' the
members clapping for pages, the rough
rasping voice of the reading clerk, whose
elocution is about as musical as gate on
rusty hinges, and the drowsy pressing of
some dull speaker make up the sounds of
this body. The Senate is much smaller,
and in that proportion less noisy. 1t mana
ges, too, to get through with much more
work. 1t always adjourns over one or two
days in the week to wait on the House.
Besides the legislative business, it has the
executive work of considering the appoint
ments sent in by the President and treaties,
&C., which the House does not have.
The Senate don't seem to be trammeled
by its rules like the House, but goes ON in
kind of ''go-as-y please" gait, which
accompanies more in the end, without
confusion or sacrifice of dignity. The truth,
is the House is too large.
The Inter State commerce bill has passed
the Senate, but the amendments were so
it would be difficult to tell Just what shape
it will yet take before it becomes law, if it
succeeds at all. The main feature is to regu-
late the subject of transportation on the lead
ing railroad lines between the States, to pre-
vent discrimination against particular sec
tions, and, especially, to protect local points
without competing lines and on sshort
hauls" as they call it, against imposition
by the railroads of enormous freight
charges. Some equitable law on this SUBJ
ject, which will do justice to both the peo-
pie and the companies, is needed.
The question of making the Agricultural
Bureau Gepartmt Mt. and its head cabi-
net officer, is under discussion. 1t certain
ly has sufficient Importance and interest to
entitle it to this dignity, if that would give
it a corresponding increase of usefulness.
The Senate refused to confirm Mr.. But
ton as Postmaster at Lynchburg on account
of an article in his paper, the Virginian,
rejecting On Republican Senators.
Mr.. Goodies confirmation still hangs fire
too. 1t is considered doubtful by some.-
There is a finger in all this which has many
a time in late years stirred up trouble in
Va.
There is hitch in the proceedings to
procure site for the National Library
building. 1t was proposed to locate it on
grounds Immediately East of the Capitol
Park, occupying the width of two squares
or more each way. The alternative was to
take either one or the other side of East
Capitol Street, a street which runs perpen-
dicular to the Capitol on its East 'front.'
The bill approprates $3.50, 900 for purchas-
ing the site and the property owners de-
mand near double that amount. 1t looks a
little strange to see so much unimproved
and tumble-down property right around
the Capitol where it is to be inferred that
the most valuable is located. Here is the
secret. 1t was expected that it would be
needed by the Government some day, and a
good round price would be paid for it,
therefore, there has been but little perma-
nent improvement in this region. On a
vacant lot only separated by the street from
the public grounds | saw last Summer a
clump of old-field blackberry briers, and
in sight of the Capitol not two hundred
yards distant row of old fashioned one
story log cabin negro quarters which to all
appearances had been built there before the
City was laid out. Capitol HILL which is a
level plateau running back East of the
Capitol and elevated about 100 feet, is real
ly the most eligible part of the city, and
where stranger would expect to find the
finest residences and the greatest improve
ment. But it is not SO. This portion of
the city has not been built up like tine North
west section, and the building done in for
mer times has been of cheap, inferior
kind. 1t is explained by the high prices
asked for the property, which drove capital
and investment to improve the other por-
lions in the direction North of the White
House, where thej fine residences and the
quarters are to be found. But
few fine residences are to be found near the
Capitol.
The absorbing event in fashionable circles
this week was the Kunacs, which means, l
believe, the dance Of all Nations. Don't
me by inferring that all the
nations were here engaged in @ friendly
bout in the Terpsichorean art, nor that even
heir grave and seignior representatives
awe been doing service for their respective
'overeigns by tripping the light fantastic
zoe. Instead of that it was an affair gotten
lp by Society ladies and gentlemen repre-
enting the dances and costumes of differ.