Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-07-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.

To THE Souri, KENTUCKIAN:
The patriotic citizens ofthe District
celebrated the 10th birthday of the
Nation on two days this year Sun
day and Monday. Many of the
churches, instead of the usual Sab
bath service, had 4th of July meet
ing Sunday evening. The princil
features of the gatherings were pat
riotic utterances Of many Senators
and Representatives. The city was as
quiet as could be imagined OIL Mon
day. The big government buildings
were locked, and all the department
people rushed for steamboats, and
railroad trains to take them down
the river or into the country. Nearly
all the heads of departments were out
of The city. The only sign of life was
at the south end of the Capitol where
the House, without a symptom OF
patriotic emotion, held a perspiring
session, grinding away upon the gen
eral deficiency bill. An opportunity
to see the House in session was about
the only thing that offered any salts
faction to the crowd of rustics who
were allured to the city by one-half
railroad fare. The law prohibiting
the combustion of power in any form
was rigidly enforced. The only re-
deeming feature was fine display oil
fireworks at night in the White
House lot, which attracted an enor-
nous crowd.
Time is fleeing, but our Legislative
solons make but slow progress in
Tightening the burden of legislation
which was committed TO their charge
last December, Notwithstanding their
daily and nightly session to dispose
of business. All idea of considering
many important bills, such as the in
crease of the Navy, has been given
up, and the idea of tariff legislation
or even tariff debate has been aban-
doned, as was indicated by resolu-
ton, presented to the House by Mr..
Morrison, asking to have a day fixed
for the consideration of bills reported
from the Committee on Ways and
Means, and now OH the calendar, not
TO include any bill raising revenue.
1t is a great pity that SO many bills
now upon the calendar, to which nc
objection possible could be raised,
should fail to pass because the way is
blocked bv more objectional bills
which stand higher on the list.
The President continues to be
flooded with pension bills which are
rushed through Congress. During
this season 565 special pension acts
have become laws, while 92 have been
vetoed. The action of the President
in returning so many bills without
his signature has greatly exasperated
the Ipension legislators, but that the
President is supported by the majority
of the members in the stand he hal
taken is very apparent. 1t is takel
for granted in Congress that when
bill is vetoed and nothing more il
heard in regard to it from the com
mittee whose duty it is to report t
their respective House, the veto j
acquiesced in, and thus the Presiden
is sustained. There has not bee
more than three vetoed pension bill
reported back to the House, and no
many more TO the Senate, and as We
none have been passed over the veto
The House is determined to sustai
the President in the stand he ha
taken, and it is probable that not
single bill will be passed over I'll
veto.
Several congressman have recent
expressed their determination not
accept a denomination, but none hay
created such wide expression I
regret and sorrow as the announces
ment made by Ex-Governor Curti
the war Governor of Pennsylvani
that this would be the last sessic
spept by him in the House of Coz
gress. The chief reason assigned fl
this determination are on account
old age and the incessant importul
tiles of fiice-seekers, who harra
and annoy him from morning to nigh
The printers who do all of Unc
Sans printing are unusually hapI
Just now, owing to the warm al
earnest action ofthe House commit
on printing. The clerks in all Of Il
departments are allowed 30 da
leave in each year with pay. 1lither
the employees in the Governme
Printing Office have had no privile
Of this kind. Congress has pass,
and the President has signed b
giving them Is days leave with pa
The lady employees sent magnifice
floral offerings 10 the Capitol, al
had them placed on the desks of 4
members of the committees Of Il
Senate aud House who were large
instrumental in securing the passa
of the measure. H..