The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-12-16
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, -. C., Dec. II, 1886.
The Capital City has been enwrapped
in snow the past week, and experienced
the coldest weather for so early in the
winter season that has been known for
years. Navigation on the river vas
stopped for while on account of the
freeze, and the swarm of visitors that
came with the opening of Congress, were
compelled to content themselves with ex-
p,oring the Government buildings and
viewing the beauties of the city, without
making the much-desired pilgrimage to
Mt. Vernon, the home of Washington.
The halls of Congress have been crowded
all week, not only with tourists, who
without exception call at the magnificent
structure to see sheir Representative in
Congress, but also with the lobbyists who
are putting forth their best efforts to
carry through their pet schemes before
the end of the ninety days allotted to
this session. The members have already
settled down to hard and earnest work,
and will doubtless accomplish as much
in the way of general legislation as was
done 10 the last session, and without
doubt pass more private bills than were
then passed. Tha principal committees
have all the most important bills well in
hand, and an effort is now being made to
have the order Of business 80 arranged
that there will be more dispatch than
heretofore in the consideration aud
passage of the thousands of bills of a
private character reported favorably by
the committees, and on the calendar for
action.
Some new bills are being introduced,
but comparative few, and most of them
are expected to die with the session as
they cannot be reached in their order
within the limited lime left. 1t is very
doubtful who.aer she bill of Representa-
tive Herbert, of Ala, to make ex confed-
crate soldiers eligible for appointment
in the U. S. Army and Navy, will pass
this session. Tie Republicans will
oppose it to man, aud resort to fillibus-
tering to defeat it if necessary, and will
make it the subjecs for political fuel. If
defeated, or not acted upon this session,
the bill will probably be introduced in
the next Congress, and strong effort
made to carry it through.
The social world is once more in its
whirl of pleasure and excitement and
every day the newspapers are teeming
with glowing accounts Of brilliant social
gatherings of the night before. The
Justices of the Supreme Court throw of
their silk gowns snd don their swallow
tails and white ties, and step lightly to
the inspiring music, or cit arouny the
festive board with faces glowing with
jollity and mir.h, in striking contrast
with their serious expression and digni-
fed demeanor of 9 few hours before while
sitting in the sombre court chamber
listening to learned disquisitions on the
law by brilliant iaminaries of the legal
profession. Members of Congress throw
away their cigars and Danish from their
minds the heated discussions INDUCED in
during the day, and with q pleasant
smile and suave manner converse with
the charming bellies by their sides as il
their object and enjoyment 10 life were
10 entertain and pay homage to the fair
daughters of Areerica. The Cabine!
Ministers lay aside the official cares Of
the day and join with the charming
ladies of their families in dispensing the
hospitalities and refined social and
literary feasts to be found in their elegant
home, and so the contrast is marked be-
tween the busy aad careworn scenes Of
the day and the bright and light-hearted
scenes of the evening, and the lives ol
our public men prolonged by the refresh
ing and rejuvensting duties Of social life
Z the Nations Capital. II.