The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-12-03
Our Washington Letter
From Oar Regular Correspondent.

washington, NOV. ~, 1855.
Congress is only one week off When it
convenes it will begin work on the Appro.
priation bills which keep the government
running. 1t will probably do little work
during the short session, for these money
bills will keep it busy. They invariably
give rise to volumes of debate, and it will
be the same old story. The Forty Ninth
Congress, like others that have preceded it,
has been too lazy during the long and too
busy during the short session to answer any
of the great questions before it.
Indeed the business of this great and
growing country demands, continuous ses-
sions of Congress. With SO much pressing
legislation there should be no Congression-
al vacations, and the new Congress should
convene the day after the old one expires.
Annual reports are coming in now thick
as falling leaves, and they contain great
deal of interesting info' nation. There ere
Cabinet reports and reports of their First,
Second aud Third Assistants, and scores of
Bureau Chiefs. That of Commodore Will
son, Chief Of the Naval Bureau of con-
struction and Repair, is any thing but
complimentary to the Navy of great Gov
eminent. In detailed description of the
present condition of the new cruisers and
other vessels he says the number of service
able naval vessels has been reduced to two
first rate. ten second, twenty third rate, and
seven fourth rate, including two torpedo
rams. Thirteen ironclads and five other
vessels are in need of repairs and certain
others that he named are even beyond re-
pair.
Although the Washington Exposition
project is not yet an assured fact, the much
discussed National Drill is. 1t will take
place in this city, and will begin on the 23rd
of next May. Its objects are to stimulate
proficiency in military matters and to
bring together citizens and soldiers from all
over the country.
The recent display made by the National
Guards, at the dedication OF the Barthold
Statue, awakened new interest with citizen
soldiery, and this National camp around
the Washington Monument is something
that even New York is willing to give to
the Capital city. 1t is estimated that a
million people from all parts of the country
will view this drill, and it is the intention
to make the event exceed all precedent
competitive camps: not only in extent and
in amount of prizes, but in the better OBJ
iect of utility for military advancement.
The managers of the Drill nave stated
plainly that it is not desirable to have any
features of the hippodrome The glitter OF
buttons and glamour of gold lace will not
hide from sight the prime obj ct of inn row, =
ment in training, and to far distant troop,
will be given that mutual condolences and
respect without which they coulI never he
utilized for the public veal.
Early in December, and Just about the
time Congress gets in working shape, a
convention of notabilites from the States
and Territories will be held here to inaue
urate the Exposition scheme and to agree
upon plan Of procedure to submit: to Con
gress. Il has been urged by rival cities
that the atmosphere of Washington is moi
suitable for either a summer or a winter
Exposition. Statistics prove that its in
habltants experience more pleasant days in
the wear than falls tn the lot of ,,,,,.t :, scot,
anywhere. Autumn here fingers until
Christmas and Spring begins in April.
The winter is not Severe, and summer is
tempered by the shade OF seventy thousand
trees along streets f.om 100 to 80 feet in
width. Washington, moreover, is the CEN