Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-02-03
our WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.,

Editor Register-Senator kenna has
been selected by the Democratic Sen
ators TO answer Senator John Sher-
mans attack on the Presidents mes
sage. especially on his tariff views. Mr.
kenna has been preparing his data
for several days, and 1t Is probable
that he will take the floor the latter
part of this week. 1t will be remem-
bered that Senator kenna answered
the attack of Senator Edmunds on
tho President at the last session OF
Congress in one of the ablest speeches
of the year, and he will undoubtedly
tear Mr.. Sherman's high tariff theo-
rips TO pieces when he sails in. He
will have an immense audience to
hear him, as he is recognized as one
of the star" orators of the Democ-
racy.
There is movement on foot here
now to get Congress to make an APP
preparation TO buy all the land on
both sides of Rock Creek, in this city,
for public park. 1t is one of the
most beautiful pieces of scenery in
the country, and would make mag
nificent park. The tract is a rough,
hilly and picturesque stretch OF coun-
try, and it will require great deal OF
money to improve it, but by making
a regular appropriation for eight or
ten years all this can be accomplished
without the money being missed.
Another project is to make park in
the river near the long bridge from
dredging of the channel and already
vast body of land has been reclaimed
by deepening the channel. 1t is pro-
posed TO utilize it for the formation
of a museum for the preservation OF
American animals now nearly extinct,
and already quite collection is in
the custody of the Fish Commission,
and is added to every few weeks by
parties returning from remote parts
of the country where they have been
stocking the rivers with food fish.
The House Committee on Election
of President and Vice-President have
reported favorably joint resolution
for a constitutional amendment liking
the day for the meeting Of Congress
on the first Monday in January, and
the time of final adjournment at noon
on the 31st of December This would
practically make continuous session
for the two years term, interrupted
by such recesses as both houses should
agree on. 1t is claimed by many that
the sessions of Congress as now held
are too short for the proper transac-
ton of the public business, and that
if continuous sessions were held, bills
would not be rushed through with
such haste as they are now, and con
sequently there would be fewer mis-
takes made.
There was quite a lively debate III
the Senate on Monday over the prop
osition to reduce letter postage to one
cent. The Committee on Post-Oftices
reported the proposition adversely.
and Mr.. Beck said he could not I'M
derstand how the Government could
afford to carry bonnets and harness
and merchandise all over the country
for cent an ounce and not be able
to carry letters at the same rate. lie
said there were firms in New York
making fortunes through the use OF
the postoilice in carrying their mer-
chandise. Mr.. Platt said he believed
the people desired the best and cheap
est postal service, and did not insist
upon the postoffice being self-sustain-
ing The report was placed upon the
calendar to be considered hereafter,
and the chances are decidedly i'll
favor Of cheaper postage.
The preparation of the plans for
the great Catholic university in this
city are so far under way that pro-
posals for the erection of the first
building will soon be invited. The
first building to be erected will be the
Divinity Hall, for the use of the theo-
logical department, the cornerstone
of which will be laid in May. Other
buildings will be erected as the money
becomes available, and the general
plan provides for a group of build
ings to accommodate the various de-
partments, the estimated cost OF the
whole being in the ncighborhood OF
three million dollars.
The Senate to-day adopted by a
unanimous vote q joint resolution
proposing a constitutional amend
ment to change the term of the Presi-
dent and of the present Congress so
that they shall continue until the SOth
day of April, 1889, and that Senators
whose terms would otherwise expire on
March 4, 1899, should continue until
April 3Oth succeeding, and thereafter
the 30th of April shall be substituted
for the 4th of March as the commence
ment and termination OF the official
term of the President, Senators, and
Representatives
The Senate has confirmed the nomi-
nation of l.. G. Bennington, of Richie
county, w. Va, to be United States
consul at Rio Grande de Sui.
S, w. ].