The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-12-02
NA TIONAL CAPITAL JOTTINGS.
RIGGS HOUSE,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 90, 1897.

RIGGS HOUSE,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 1897.
Your correspondent returns to re-
sumo his labors at the Capital after en-
loving an unusual vacation, since the
of the special session OF
Congress. Already signs, of the advent
of another session-the first regular or
long session of the 55th Congress
apparent here, and there is
lite and business where erstwhile all
was dormant. Probably Washington
will never be 80 large that the coming
and going Of Congress will not be felt
it's length and breadth and
in every department OF its life. Aside
from the hustle Of preparation In the
Capitol building itself the hotels and
boarding houses are most affected by
the incoming of Congress and its train.
Washington is a city of boarding houses
of various sorts and degrees, but they
do not flourish as we'll as In former
years.
The Congressman loves comfort and
the conveniences OF life, and these he
finds in greater perfection at a good
hotel; besides at the hotel he is in
reader touch with the current OF events
and the rise and fall of the political
tide. Twenty years ago, when the
writer first came to Washington as a
newspaper correspondent, the rotundas
of Willardis and the National Hotel
were the great political rendezvous
where all the buttonholing and log
rolling was done, and where it was nee
essary to 60 at night to find anybody
of consequence or obtain information
or probable moves on the -chessboard of
politics. It has been 80 ever since, and
is still the same, except that the Riggs
House, little further up town, has
been added to the centers of attraction,
and is easily taking the lead in patron
age and importance. These three
houses usually shelter more public
men, members of Congress. ETC., than
all the other hotels at the Capital COM
bined.
The session of Congress now about
will be one of unusual lmpor-
lance, as 1t will be brought face to face
with questions OF the gravest conse-
quence pertaining to both foreign and
domestic politics. First of all the Gu
ban question is certain to come up for
some action at regular stage of the
session, and it is not believed that any
consideration of conservatism can pre-.
vent some sort of recognition tor the
struggling insurgents. At the extra
session large majority OF both houses
favored such action, and it was only
restrained in the House because that
body was not fully organized, being
without laws or rules and wholly un.
der the control of tho Speaker. The
fact that the administration has favor
ed delay, and is still exertlng itself in
favor OF that policy, does not signify
that President Mckinley Is opposed te
Cuba or more friendly to Spain than
becomes the head of the Government
towards another nation with whom We
have no quarrel. I predict, however
that belligerency will be recognized be
fore the session of Congress is many
weeks old, and that there will be nc
war. The outcome of the Hawaiian
annexation question is far more doubt
full. At the extra session many lnflu
entail Senators of both parties were op
posed to the treaty, and it Is understood
that they have gained rather than los
strength since adjournment, though
Senator Morgan has just returned from
tour of investigation prepared t.
strongly advocate annexation. Tn,
vote in the Senate will be close, unless
some unexpected development inter
poses, and there is quite as much dan
ger of troublesome complications grow
ing out OF that affair as from our cours>
towards Cuba.
OF the other leading subjects which
will occupy the attention of Congress
perhaps the Nicaragua canal, the Brit
ish boundary in Alaska and the Behrin,
seal fisheries, the Pacific railway delin
quencies, the bankruptcy bill and tn,
money question are among the mos
important. That the latter subject il
destined to come in for large share O
attention at this session is foreqon,
conclusion. It will not down. Thos,
who imagine bimetalism is dead O.
that the advocates of double STANDARD
are discouraged by the events of til,
past year are not acquainted with tn,
facts and conditions as close observer
see them from this advantage point O
observation. The failure of the VOL
colt Commission to accomplish any
| thing abroad uoc foroaoo,, h., Al. e.I