The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-12-16
Washington Letter.
o. H. OLSON.


regu ar session will commence. and at
present it appears that the extra session
will be permitteds to merge into the regu-
lar session,'a there seems to be no dispo-
sltlon to adjourn EXCEPTION time to time
The only important action of the presen,
session has been the passage of the Cuban
Reciprocity bill in the House. The Sen
ate for some.inexplicablc reason has post
poned itsfpassage until after the regular
session hiss opened up On last Tuesday
tue House met according to the adjourn
ment OF last Friday, and after the roll call
it was agreed that each side should be
permitted to talk thirty minutes. in order
to relieve members of the campaign thun-
der within them. Williams. of Mississippi.
DeArmond. of Missouri, and Gaines, of
Tennessee, each gave vent to their pent up
emotions, or to be more courteous, their
convictions. Hemenway. the successor of
Cannon. as chairman of the committee on
Appropriations, Col. Hepburn, of the sth
Iowa district. and Grosvenir. of Ohio, also
gave expression to theirlfeelings and opin-
ions. Hepburn was greeted with cheers
when he arose. Those who had heard him
before knew just about what was in store
for the trembling democrats who we're
present This rough cid soldier wis fights
his forensic in the fash on after which he
must have fought rebels during the late
uupleasantness" is not particularly grace
full in manner, nor does he use he best or
choicest language imaginable; but there is
one element which he does possess in
abundance, and that is force. He fairy
hammers his arguments down the threats
of those against whom they are directed
is regarded as one of the most effect
i've partisan speakers and campaigners in
the House. In running debate he is
abundantly able to take care of himself,
and usually makes his pursuers look like
the proverbial thirty cents. He had spo-
ken but few moments on Tuesday when
meek looking blonde member arose and
asked leave to PROFOUND question mo,
Sir " Numbered Mr.. Hepburn; then turn
ing to the speaker, he asked: "Who is the
gentleman who just interrupted me?" The
speaker informed him that the gentleman
in question was Mr.. Baker, of New York
Mr.. Hepburp replied: II still adhere 70 my
denial
Washington is perhaps the only place
in the United States that does not enjoy
that great prerogative. usually considered
inalienable, local self government 1t is
now governed iby Congress Considering
the solicitude for its we'll being and gener.
o'ity with respecs to appropriations
that Congress has exhibited, there can
be no cause for complaint. One democra-
tic senator very unkindly declared last
winter that it was because OF the increas-
ing number of colored people here that
the district was placed under the control
of Congress in order to escape negro
domination. However that may be, the
happy change was brought about, and the
CITY of Washington has prohtted greatly
by the change. Plans are being offered
from time to time, some of them colossal
in their import, to beautify the city, and
make it the most beautiful and attractive
capitol in the world. In one of the plans
/ it is proposed to remove all the buildings
: on the Mall, the territory extending from
the capitol west to the Potomac river. and
to transform this section into magnih-
cent park e There have even been con-
structed relief plans of Washington, the
one reproducing Washington in miniature,
and the other representing Washington as
il will be when the proposed plans have
been carried out These models evident
ly represent an exceedingly laborious and
expensive task, as no house is too small to
be recognized by the artist in his work,
each being faithfully and accurately placed
in its proper location These plans rest
under glass covers in the Congressional
library. They suggest something of what
Washington may be in the future. While
an exhibition Of mere barbara splendor is
(, unwarranted it would appear that coun.
try possessing the wealth, scope and signi'
hcance that the, United States enjoys
should not fail to beautify and develope
its capitol that ii may rank with the great
capitols of the world 1t has made an ex.
cellent beginning, and needs but to cen.
tinue at slightly accelerated rate to fine
itself at an early date possessed of the
most charming seat of national govern
ment in the world. One of the force.
combating the spirit Of progress is thu
veneration, not wholly culpable that exist
for historic associations and conditions
Many regard as deeds OF vandalism tn,
destruction and wreckage of historic build
ings to give way for modern structures o
greater capacity and utility This notion
carried to extremes is hostile TO progress
and is in accord with the Chinese philoso
ply which deprecates the presumption tina
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