Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-30
STYLES IN THE HEAT,
Yet Congress Seems in No Hurry to
Leave Washington.
Ovation TO Jefy Simpson Business
Before House irrigation Gill.

! WASHINGTON, June 29.-[Special. i
The man who knows it all has been tell
Ing us for 10days that this sort Of weather
was ell we needed to make the senate hur-
ry itself end all congressman anxious to
get away. The weather has indeed beaten
the record, but the senate has been slower
than ever Even in tho senate chamber,
with the fans going, the mercury has
marked from 50 to 81 on several occasions,
and in the shadiest places on Pennsylva-
mia avenue ii has ranged from g6 to 80 and
back for five hours. as natural result,
almost every one who could be spared has
gone from the city, yet several noted inva-
lids have returned and In a feeble way are
moving among us. Hon. Jerry Simpson,
who distinguished himself at Berkeley
Springs by gaining - pounds in 10 days,
came into the house on the hottest day Of
the season but one and was received with
literal storm Of applause. On his desk
his friend, Secretary Morton, had placed
in honor Of his return about the finest ar
ray Of flowers seen In the house this sea-
son. Mr.. Simpson remained but an hour
or 80, recorded his vote in favor OF the
Hutch aDtioption bill and returned to
Berkeley for another week or two.
The InvaIids.
General Henderson Of Iowa has also re-
appeared in the house. but his appearance
Ia not very promising. He has suffered
much and long from the htcst operation
made necessary by his old wound, and a
grave doubt Is admitted by his friends az
to whether he can regain strength hero
sufficient for my service this term. Major
Powell, late director of the United States
geological survey, Is gradually regaining
strength after tho severe surgical operation
on the stump Of his left arm. Although
he was under the surgeons knife nearly
three hours and lost flesh and strength rap
idly for several days after the shock, he in
forms his friends that the operation was a
success and thinks he Is recovering as fast
M could be hoped He has suffered much
of late years, but the Indications now are
that he will De entirely relieved 1t is re-
marked that there is much less serious sick
ness among congressman and officials than
there was in the early spring
When this week opened, the family Of
the secretary Of war was the only one of
the higher official circle In tho city, and
they will go In a day or two to New York
and thence at "a later date to the seaside.
The vicc presidents family will pass the
early portion Of the summer at Cape May,
while Mrs Olney will go to New Hamp-
shire, Mrs. IIoke Smith to the Shenandoah
valley, and Miss Morton, who does the So
cial honors for hor father, tho secretary Of
agriculture will go to their home in Ne
braska for the season. Mrs. Carlisle, who
has returned from cruise on the Maple,
will probably remain with her husband all
summer, as the emergencies of finance
will compel him to remain in or near
Washington, but they expect to take many
short trips TO ncighboring resorts. Mrs.
Gresham's latest conclusion also is to re
main hero most of the summer, she and
the secretary of state taking their rest in
IA short trip as OCCASION offers. General and
Mrs Schofcld, with many others not of
official rank, will go to Yellowstone park
for large portion of the hot weather.
Remarkable ProjectiIes.
In the general breaking up caused by
the wholesale discharges of employees and
the transfer Of many army officers to dis
tant posts there Is but one department in
which all Is satisfaction, and that is the
navy. Although the investigation into
tho frauds practiccd in the arrnor furnish
ed by Carnegie * Go. has developed some
very queer things, in every other line the
navy department has scored successes of
the most gratifying character. The last
trials at Indian Head developed u strength
In the projuctilos and q difference between
the now and old processes of preparing
plates which are almost incredible. An
old plato II inches thick. of nickel and
steel, but not llarvcyized, was the target,
and u IL inch Carpenter projcctilo weigh
ing / 100 pounds was fired directly
through 1t and through the wooden back
ing. Another shot of tho same size not
only went through the II inches of nickel
and steel and the backing, hut through
the sand butt and 500 yards into the woods
beyond, where it was found almost rs good
ms new. A Wheeler Sterling she'll of the
Same dimension was also fired through
the plate. Tho ordnance used was tho 10
inch gun of the latest improved pattern,
which has been ironically Christcncd the
"Pcacemakor, 1t is claimed that in the
ordinary range OF u naval battle the
"Poacemakcr" could drive these shells
through tho greatest battleship owned by
any foreign nation. Rather an expensive
amusement too, rs 1t is said to cost $500
for each shot.
Irrigation For Arid Lands. q
Despite the intense heat of the last fort
night prophecies of u speedy adjournment
are not SO frequent rs they were, Several
committees have taken on fresh activity,
and there really seems to be moro pressing
business before the house than u month
ago. Tho committee on irrigation of arid
lands, after hcsitating long, has ut last
consented To approve Mr.. Sweets bill, and
ii has been reported To thohousc with rec
concentration that 1t pass. II appropriates
VIA for a survey and estimate of the
costhf reservoirs and canals in oil the II
states and territories where reclamation is
supposed 80 he possible en- large scale,
the amount to be distributed among tho
L. Early in the session Chairman Cooper
was Very iauch opposed to any action, and
amaiority were with him, but they have
yielded to pressure to thcextent indicated.
After a long and diligcnt study Of tho
subject, having, heard everybody who advo-
cattsl the5 schnmc and woeivcd protests
froa very many who opposed it, tho COM
mlttcc On the Distrie; of Columbia is in
lined 81 favar tho general plan for eom-
jy2hcnsiyc i2sprGrcncG0s. 1t Involves n
iassya i:sgV oi lmat,s--congrcss may put tas
low as 81, aaa, 9aQ or as high - S. o0o, 900
sind . ,ygy'a; extension of sir,cts with a
kNNuiunies.- "a s!v,st al the iruD,ssn{l hGuln-