The Monitor., 1886-12-03
washington s.etter.

COnVeneS IT. VIII begln work on the Appto~
priation bills which keep the Government
running. 1t will probably de little other
work during the short session, for these
money bills will keep it busy. They in-
yariably give rise to volumes et debate,
and it will be the same old story. The
Forty Ninth Congress, like others that
have preceded it, has bee;i TOO lazy during
the long and too Lu>y during the short
session to answer any 81 the great ques-
tions before 1t. Indeed, the business OF
this great and growing country demands
continuous sessions of Congress. With so
much pressing legislation there should be
DO Congressional vacations, and the new
Congress should convene the day after the
old one expires.
Annual reports are coming in now as
thick rs falling leaves, aCd they contain
great deal ofinterestine information. There
are Cabinet reports and reports of their
First, Second and Third Assistants, and
scores of Bureau Chiefs. That Of Com
modore Wilson. Chief Of the Naval Bureau
OF Construction and Repair, is anything
but complimentary 10 the Navy of great
Government In detailed description of
the present condition oi tile new cruisers
and other vessels he says the number of
serviceable naval vessels has been reduced
to two first rate, ten second, twenty third
rate and seven fourth rate including two
torpedo rams. Thirteen ironciads and five
ether vessels are in need of repairs and GER
tain others that he names are even beyond
repair.
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 23d of next May Its objects are to
stimulate proficiency in military matters
and Ia bring together citizen soldiers from
all over the country.
The recent magnificent display made by
the National Guards, at the dedication of
the BaIlholdi Statue. awakened new in
terest with citizen soldiery, and this Ma
tional camp around the Washington Mon
ument is something that even New York
is willing TO give ta the Capitol city. 1t
Is estimated that millions of people from
all parts Of the United States 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 tie better object of utility
70: military advancement.
The managers of tie Drill have stated
plainly Chat it is not desirable to have any
features OF the hppedrome. The glitter OF
buttons and glamour Of gold lace will not
hide from sight the prime object of inn
provement in training, and to far distant
troops will be given that mutual confidence
and respect without which they could never
be utilized for the public veal.
Early in December, and just about the
time Congress gets into working shape, a
convention Of notabilities from the States
and Territories will be held here to in-
augurate the Exposition scheme and to
agree upon plan of procedure to submit
to Congress. 1t has been urged by rival
cities that the atmosphere of Washington
is not suitable for either Il summer or
4 winter Exposition. Statistics prove that
its inhabitants experience more pleasant
days in the year than falls to the lot Of
most people anywhere. Autumn here
fingers until Christmas aud spring begins
in April. The winter is not severe and
summer is tempered By the shade of seven
ty Thousand trees along streets from 100 to
$50 feet in idih. Washington. more
oyer, is the centre OF the nations treasures
and antiquities. 1t contains over fifty
million dollars W artli Of national property,
and it has all the conditions necessary to
the success of the grand enterprise which
Is contemplated.
President Cleyeltnd is represented to
be in a state of anger and disgust over the
outcome of the Police investigation that
has stirred up the city during the past two
weeks Tie dismissed officials will prob
ably appeal to Mr.. Cleveland for redress,
and IN the event that he takes the matter
up, they say they will go TO Congress. 1t
- Sldltu ny dutHuiNS W no Knows more
than he tells that those who woald like TO
know the whole truth about this matter,
the moving causes that have connected the
President with the trouble, together with
the destinations against certain distinguish
ed citizens and officers, will do well to in
sist upon 4 Congressional investigation of
the Police scandal They will find the
subject intcrwoven in manner that will
surprise politicians. WESTON.
The state Board Of Asso>se Is filed their
annual report with the Conn trolcr on
Wednesday |, shows an increase in the
valuation Of railroad properly of 80, 2s3,
G9l over last year. The increase in the
State tax will be $l9,4lS, and in the
local tax 1852. The total vtlur of rail
road property is $l92, $50, 34a Tie State
tax will be 1864, 9ol, and the lscal tax
s3,2, 3G4 In all ninety seven companies
are assessed.
George lTazlett and Miss sadie Allen
went through the rapids and whirlpool
below Niagara Falls on Sunday in the
tcrpcdo-shaped barrel used by IIazlett and
Potts last summer. They were taken out