Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-08-16
WASHINGTON In SUMMER.
A Large Resident Population at the
Nations Capital Independent OF
Departments.

Nations Capital independent OF
Congress and the Government
Department..
Special Correspondence of the STANDARD.
1t is very generally supposed that
Congress forms an important element
in the life at Washington, and when
that body is not in session the Ma
tion's capital is to a large extent a
deserted city. This idea is based
largely on the conditions which ex-
listed some years ago before Washing
ton attracted such large population
as it now has. 1t should be remem-
bered that Washington stands four
teenth in the list of cities in the Uni
ted States containing the largest pop
ulation; the annual growth for the
past fifteen years has been about five
thousand.
1t is therefore evident that a body
such as the national legislature which
contains lightweight members in the
upper house, and three hundred and
fifty-six in the lower house, cannot
have a marked influence in the life of
community of such proportions. 1t
is true that the sessions of Congress
usually attract quite number of
people to Washington who have busi-
ness with that body, or who are bent
merely on pleasure. This fact is ap-
parent in the hotels and sometimes on
pleasure. This fact is apparent in the
hotels and sometimes on Pennsylvan ia
avenue, which is the main thorough
fare to the Capitol. 1t is OF course to
be expected that the number of people
in the hotels, and in the streets, would
furnish some evidence that such
body as Congress was in session. 1t
can be readily understood, however,
that large body of people who have
their homes here, and are engaged in
earning their livelihood as is the des-
tiny of the average citizen in all our
American cities, pursue the even tenor
OF their way whether Congress is in
session or not. In business circles, as
well as in social circles, the presence
here of members of Congress and
those who are come here because that
body is in session is recognized, but
business and society goes on during
the recess of Congress as we'll as dur
ing the sessions.
One of the features of modern
Washington is the coming here of peo-
pie OF wealth, who have money enough
to live where they please, and the only
question with them is the selection of
a place that is the most desirable as a
place of residence. AS they have
money and leisure, they are OF course
important elements in society, and
coming as they do from all parts of
the country, and, it might be added,
from the world, they give to social
life here that cosmopolitan flavor
which is apt to be noted by stranger.
During the summer season the Gus.
tom prevails in Washington rs in
other large cities of spending a few
weeks at the various resorts, and at
that season whether Congress is in
session or not, Washington is some
times apt to wear deserted appear.
ance, especially to those who are ac-
customed to see the city during the
winter months. The usual functions
OF society life are dispensed with, and
those who remain in the city enjoy
social intercourse in an easy and SIM
pie fashion appropriate to the temper
ature which is usually hot at this
time of the year.
In one sense it may be said at this
season all the world is out of town, vet
in fact this is not the case. Men are
constrained by business considerations
to remain at home during the summer
season in Washington, as well as in
other cities, and in many cases their
families remain with them. One ele.
ment of the population, namely the
government employees, enjoy the priv
ilege of months leave with pay, and
as rule the great majority prefer to
spend their vacation where they can
have q change of climate and food.
But even when the army of govern
ment employees are eliminated there
remains large population here who
are engaged in carrying on the bust.
ness and manufacturing enterprises
now one of the features of the city
which is the capital OF the nation.
As the summer time is largely the
vacation season with people all
through the country, the tide of visit
ors is unusually large. They wander
through the public buildings and visit
the points of interest in and about
the city, and no doubt find that Wash
fngton is rather an enjoyable place to
visit, even though Congress is not in
session.