The Delta independent., 1886-12-07
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
from our regular correspondent.

Congress is only one week off. When
it convenes it will begin work OH the
Appropriation bills which keep the
Government running. 1t will proOab-
ly do little other 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 For
ty Ninth Congress. like others that
have preceded it, has been too lazy dur
ing 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 contin-
GUS sessions of Congress. With so
much pressing legislation there should
la no 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. and they
contain a great deal of interesting in
formation. There are Cabinet reports
and reports of their First. Second, and
Third Assistants, and scores of Bureau
Chiefs. That of Commodore Wilson,
Chief Of the Naval Bureau of Con-
struction and Repair. is anything but
complimentary to the Navy Of Il great
Government. In detailed description
of the present condition of the new
cruisers and other vessels he says the
number of servicable naval vessels has
been reduced to two first rate. ten sec
ond, 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 names are
even beyond repair.
Although the Washington Exposi-
tion 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 OBJ
jecls ale to stimulate proficiency in
military matters and to bring together
citizen soldiers from all over the coan-
try.
The recent magnificent display made
by the National Guards. at the dedica-
tion of the Bartholdi Statue, awakened
new intel est with citizen soldiery, and
this National camp around the Wash
ington Monument is something that
even New York is willing to give to
the Capital 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 the better object of utili-
ty for military advancement.
The managers of the Drill have sta
ted plainly that it is not desirable to
have any features of the hippodrome.
The glitter of buttons and the CLAM
our of gold lace will not hide from
sight the prime object OF improvement
in training. and TO far distant troops
will be given that mutual confidence
and respect without which they never
could be utilized for the public veal.
Early in December,and just about
the time that Congress gets into work
ing shape.a convention of notabilities
from the States and Territories, will be
held here to inaugerate the Exposition
procedure to submit to Congress. 1t
has been urged hy rival cities that the
atmosphere OF Washington is not suit
able for either summer OF winter Ex-
position. Statistics prove that its IN
habitants experience more pleasant
days in the year than falls to the lot
of most people anywhere. Autumn
here fingers until Christmas and spring
begins III April. The winter is not Sc
we're. and summer is tempered by the
shade Of seventy Thousand trees along
streets from 100 to $50 feet in width.
Washington. moreover, is the center of
the nations treasures and antiquities.
1t contains over fifty million dollars
worth of national property, and it has
all the conditions necessary to the sue
cess of the grand enterprise which is
contemplated.
President Cleveland is represented to
be IN u state of anger and disgust over
the outcome Of the Police investigation
that has stirred up the city during the
past two weeks. The dismissed OIL.
cials will probably appeal to Mr.. Cleve-
land for redress, and in the event that
he fails to take the matter up, they
say they will go to Congress. 1t is
stated BY authority who knows more
than he tells that those who would
like to know the whole truth about
this matter. the moving causes that
have connected the President with the
trouble. together with the insinuations
against certain DISTINGUISHED citizens