Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-08-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. 8, 1886.
To THE SOUTH KENTUCKIAN
Congress adjourned. sine die at the
hour of four o'clock Thursday, and
by nine o'clock the two railroad de-
pots were filled with Congressman
and their baggage. There seemed to
be a universal desire to leave the
Capitol building dinged and scented
with tobacco smoke, and with eata-
bles from the two restaurants in the
basement to pleasures new and pas
lures green where the pure air of
their county homes would refresh
the weary brains of the law makers.
Within an hour after adjournment
the thoroughfares leading to the de-
pots were alive with baggage wagons
carrying the trunks, carpet sacks and
linen busters Of the Congressional
solons to the depots, to insure their
going on the same train with their
owners, and not to be overlooked in
the rush Of the last minute. Then
from that time till thirty minutes be-
fore the departure of the trains the
hotel lobbies were scenes of good fell
lowship, Republicans and Democrats
minglIng with each other, and tax
ing last smoke or convivial glass to-
gether. 1t was like the breaking up
of college when all the boys are glad
TO get away, and yet sorry to part
with merry companions with whom
many "a good time has been had.
For an hour and half before the
hour of adjournment arrived practi-
cally no legislation was done, be-
cause so many members had bills
which they would like to get through
that they would not consent to any
other member being favored, and so
by common consent nothing at all
was done. Whenever member
would ask unanimous consent to
take up some bill, there would be OBJ
lection, such as is common when
deliberative body is good naturally
demoralized, and the effort would
end in a hearty laugh all round.
Most of the time there was no quo
rum present, and as if the members
would become too socially disposed
and some Of them bring disgrace up
Oh themselves and the House, Repre-
sentative Dibble, chairman of the
House buildings and grounds COM
mittee, gave orders that 10 liquors or
beer should be sold in the House res
taurant the day Of adjournment.
The immense amount of work done
by Congress the past ten days, and
upon important bills too, in order
that it might adjourn by Thursday,
shows what it is capable of doing ii
it only would. If the same energy
to dispatch business was exerted
from the beginning of the session
there would remain on the calendar
very few Of the 10000 bills introduced
during the session. Where there is
will there is way.
1t is estimated that, exclusive of
pension bills, less than three per cent
OF the measures introduced in the
present session will become laws,
while the average of previous Con-
crosses is over six per cent, and yet
the average appropriations made
this session are $35,000000 in excess
of the appropriations made last ses-
sion.
The Republicans, in appreciation
of the impartial manner in which
Speaker Carlisle presided, determined
to give some testimonial thereof, and
80 procured handsome solid silver
service, which cost $500, and present
ed it to the favOrite Speaker imme-
diately upon the adjournment of Con-
gress.
Within week the carpets and
furniture will be removed from the
House and Senate chambers and
committee rooms, and a thorough
overhauling and cleaning of the Cap
itol building be made. The marble
ediflce will bear a deserted appear
ance from now till next December,
and the heavy tread Of the watchmen
can be heard from one end to the
other Of the long corridors, with
nothing to relieve the dizziness except
the occasional sightscer, who never
finds it too hot to visit the Mecca of
his great country.
The death Of the sage of Gramercy
Park caused profound regret and sor-
row at the Capital, and flags were
flying at half mast for week from
most of the buildings in the city. The
President and Cabinet officers re-
solved TO attend the funeral, and a
number of Representatives and Sem
ators remained over specially to be
at the ceremonies. III.