The Russellville Democrat., 1888-08-02
From the Nations Capital.

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 27, 'SS. Editor DEMOCRAT:
 Washington has been termed "the city of magnificent distances" but the many noticeable improvements made during an absence of ten years warrants me in saying that close inspection can be made without It's losing any of it's attractions. With it's costly and handsome pubic build ings, It's beautiful streets, the numer ous parks and monuments, there is no city of it's size in the world that can compare with it. The twelve million dollar army and navy build ing and other less conspicuous pub lic buildings that have been complet- ed during the past ten years add greatly 10 the looks of the city.
 Washington Is truly an umbrage- ous city. There are rows Of trees on every street, and trees innumera- ble in all the parks and public grounds, which makes it all the more attractive. In approaching the city from the lower Potomac. as the boat rounds the bend twelve miles below, the Washington Monument tower ing 555 feet above it's base looms up in the distance like giant sentinel, and on turning the next bend in the river eight miles distant, the dome of the Capitol stands out boldly against the horizon.
 There are many handsome build ings here including number of ele- gant and palatisl residences in ad- dition to the numerous government buildings.
 The National Capitol, Treasury Department Agricultural De partment Army and Navy Museum, Smithsonian Insti- ute, Patent office and Washington monument are all places of interest to visitors, but none is perhaps en- joyed more than visit to the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, and watch them grind out greenbacks by the cart load. The money is printed four bills on each sheet in denomi nations ranging from one dollar, to & ten thousand dollar blll. l would not be incumbered with the latter, it might be troublesome in getting it changed, The money is all finished before it leaves this building with the exception of the Treasurer's seal. Great care IS taken to prevent theft Each pressman takes SO many sheets of paper day and 1t is all counted. Should there be one sheet missing at the close of the day, the entire force is detained until it Is found. Out of one thousand employees in this department six hundred are females who become very proficient in their work.
 The warm weather seems to have caused congress to wilt As l look ed down upon thelr crsniums a day or two sInee, there were apparently not s quorum in their seats, but they m sde up in noise and confusion what they lacked in numbers. The speak CTS time seemed to be fully occupied in sounding his desk with the gayel trying to preserve order.
 Be it said to the creiit of Arkan- sas, her members were at their post, Senators Jones and Berry ID the sen. ate and four out of five of the mem bers of congress were in their seats. The Arkansas delegation stand very we'll They are looked upon ss men of brains and ability. When l visit ed the senate chamber they were wound up In their pet hoboy-pen- sion hilIs-and were passing them st the rate sf two per minute. As fast as the heading of bill was read the presiding officer would announce the passage of the bill without sny formality of a vote. After witness ing something over hundred passed in this way in the course Of an hour strolled away,
 Since the republicans ln the senate have decided on offering substitute for the Mills tariff bill, it is thought that congress will not adjourn.b before next fall.
 In company with Senator Der ", called at the White House and paid my respects to President Cleveland. He appears very much as his pictures represent him. He