The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-12-14
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

W ASHlNGTCN, u. &, Dec. 10.
special >Uouucucc raiarka NEWS.
If superstition were as prevalent to-
day as it was in the dark ages, when il
was generally believed that coming
events could in a very great measure he
foretold by changes in the moon, or the
action Of the elements, it is probable that
the severe storm which prevailed upon
the opening day of the present session Of
Congress would be looked upon Us an
evil omen, and an Indication that the
session would be an unusually turbulent
one. Notwithstanding the inclemenCy
of the weather, however. the galleries
of both the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives could not have been more
crowded had the day been fair and
bright. There Is a large class OF people
in Washington who seem To c nsider 1t
10 be their religious duty TO 90 10 the
Capitol on the opening day Of the scs-
sion, and to them il makes but little diff
ference how Indictment the weather, or
how dull and stupid the proceedings
Aside from the usual formalitIcs incident
to the opening day Of the session. the
usual handshakings and pleasant greet
iugs, and the usual good uatured con
test during the distribution of seats, the
opening day of the session was marked
10y no incident of special interest. The
desks of several of the Senators and
| Members were ornamented with floral
! tributes from admTing friends. In the
allotment of seats in the House Mr.. Cox
secured DIES irablc seat in the front row
! He was kept busy most of the time III
| receiving the congratulations OF his
! former associates, ami his CuuntenauCe
! wore look of contentmcnt which clear
/ ~ Indicated that he was pleased to find
/ himself once more upon the ilOor of the
! House.
/ The spirit of enterprise heretofore cX-
! hihited by the New York H,ruij in its
| efforts TO Guido its rivals in furnishing
/ the people with the latest news at the
! earliest possible moment has often been
! commented upon rs deserving praise.
! The IEriutI has, during the last week
| established AN early morning delivery Of
| its papers IN Washington. The papers
arrive 10y special train nj \. NJ, ana
the citizens of the National Capital are
now permitted 10 read the HyWIi before
office hours in the morning. There l.
naturally some complaint among the
local papers. AZ the result Of this com
petition there has already been = decided
| railing oil in the number of Washington
papers sold.
Congress having began its winter ses
sion the season III Washington may
Ice said to have Ieen officially inaugu-
rated. Plans fer the social campaign
are being arranged, ami several events
have already been announced.
Mrs. Cleveland returned from hel
visit To New York City on "Wednesday
last, having enjoyed her trip hey ond hel
expectations. Although the Presiden
was somewhat indisposed, and was com
PEELED to deny himself To visitors on &C
count of rheumatism during her absence
from the city. she was in such continue
correspondence and was kept 50 thor
oughly Informed as to his condition tha
the published statements gave her IL
trouble.
The movement to advance the Distric
interests in Congress by the organZd
tion of a representative body of citizens
who can voice the wishes of the peopl
on local matters, still progresses.
meeting of prominent citizens was he'll
on Wednesday eve ming last, at whiC
the objects of the meeting were clcarl
outlined and a committee Of one hun
bred was appointed. " hose duty 1t sinai
Toe to represent the District in bIingin
tho matter 10 the attention of Congress
The Washington and Geurgetow,
Street Railway Company has decided T
substitute the cable system for horse
power, and a hill has been introduced i
Congress asking permission To make In
change. IL Is proposed to adopt the sys
TEN best known. and II has been demon
strated that the plan can Toe carried gu
: | successfully.