The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-03-18
oUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Marcn 15, 1900.
The Lenten season, with its subduing
influence theoretically, at least, upon
social gaiety, is at hand. In Washing
ton It is the proper thing to observe
Lent, after q fashion, and for that reason
and no other there is recognition of the
penitential period. It's observance is
generally confined to a partial cessation
from official receptions and swell dinners,
and a corespondingly more frequent at
tendance at church. Social activity con-
stinues, but in a different way than usual,
the lovers of pleasure keeping up the
round of private hops and entertain.
ments, varied by frequent yielding to the
allnrements of whist aud progressive
euchre. The White House sets a good
example by closing its door during Lent,
except to the informal call of personal
friends. The music by the Marine Band
is not heard within those historic walls;
the brilliant throng of fashion, in gor-
geous array, no longer moves about in
the glare of;a hundred gas-lights. When
Easter brings release from the restraints
of Lent, there is another blaze of social
glory and everybody plunges in with an
evident determination to make up for
lost time. This continues until the
ascending mercury in the thermometer
closes "the season."
Judging from the indication up to
date, this Congress is going to be famous
for its "chin music" The number Of
set speeches made thus far is greatly in.
excess of the usual number, I'D the
members seem to be just fairly Ting
their wind. ALI this is not witnuut its
compromising features, for it makes
plenty of work for the type.setters at the
Government Printing Office at good
prices, and furnishes vast amount Of
literature for campaign use among the
people. No doubt public business will
suffer, but nothing else can be expected
in body of men three-fourths of whom
are lawyers. Were it not for the ad-
journment that brings Congress to an
end once in two years, the talk Of these
Legislators would, like Tennyson's brook,
STOW on forever"
The Presidents maiden veto was sent
to the Senate on Wednesday. The Court
of Claims in an action brought by Lieut..
McBlair against the Government for
money claimed to.be due, held that tie
Lieutenant had not been legally placed
on the retired list. Lieutenant Mc6lair
then petitioned Congress for restoration.
which body said that he might be if the
President saw fit, in the exercise of his
judgment, to reappoiat him. The Presi.
dent in vetoing the bill said: "The
findings of tue retiring board seem so
satisfactory aud the merits of the case so
slight in the light of the large sum
already paid to the applicant, while the
claims of thousands of wounded and
disabled soldiers wait for justice at the
hands of the government, that I am con.
strained to interpose an objection to a
measure which proposes to suspend
wholesome laws for the purpose of grant
ing what appears to me to be an unde.
served gratitude"
Captain Eads, of Mississippi jetty
fame, is working his Isthmus of Tehaun-
tapec scheme before Congress for all that
it is worth. To demonstrate the practi-
cability of his scheme lie has constructed
. working model of vessel and y minia-
ture isthmus at a cost of $4,000, which
he has set up in the Capitol building.
When members get tired of listening to
speeches they 60 down stairs and take an
Elusive trip on Ead's ship railway. The
Naval Affairs Committee has been con-
vinced of the practicability of the
scheme, and as soon as it is felt that a
large portion of the members are salts
fed that they should vote the support
asked, the isthmus and ship will be
transferred to the Senate wing to inau'
ence the Senators.
1t is learned from official quarters that
there is no truth nor foundation for the
story that the postal clerks contemplate
a general strike. Everything between
the clerks and Department is moving
along without friction, and business is
not to be disturbed by any cessation of
mail delivery.
Congress has been cross questioning
Commissioned Black this week on the
charges made by him that his predeces-