Knoxville Daily Chronicle

DERF'S LETTER
GOSSIP FROM THE CAPITAL.
The Great Flood—Extra Session—An Innovation—Literary Statistics—Stanley Matthews, Etc.
From our own Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 1881.
I will write this letter to-day, although to say when it will reach you demands the foresight of a Moses or an Elisha. The chief topic of moment that engrosses the minds of the people of this modern Sodom is the fact that the Potomac has decided that the politicians shall not have all the boom, but will take a little one to itself. All of South Washington bordering on the river was submerged yesterday, and in several places boats were floating on Pennsylvania avenue. Cars on Seventh street were running through three or four feet of water between A and B streets. From Capitol Hill to Washington Monument a vast lake was visible, the Botanical Gardens and all west of them south of Pennsylvania avenue being flooded. The river is said to be two feet higher than it was ever known before, and the flood of 1881 will long be remembered. It is caused mainly by an ice-gorge at the Long Bridge and the Aqueduct Bridge. The former structure is certain to be completely wrecked as soon as the ice begins to move. In the mean time Southern mail and travel is very much disturbed.

AN EXTRA SESSION.
One full-inch appears to be added to the length of the House employes' visages each day, for each day increases the chances of an extra session, and if this is called their heads will drop into the official waste baskets about nine months earlier than they would otherwise. It will be almost impossible to avoid an extra session now. The river and harbor bill has been killed by little Sam set Cox, but it dies hard. The witty New Yorker showed that the States that were represented on the committee fared sumptuously, about half of the whole amount being given to them, but that those unfortunate in this respect were given five stones and two small serpents. This brought to the front a host of opponents, and it is doomed. Several large appropriation bills have not yet been reported. The funding bill has been materially changed by the Senate committee, the rate of interest being increased one-half per cent. This amendment will, when it is referred back to the House, be the fruitful source of much discussion. The amount saved in the interest fund by this bill when it is finally passed will pay the cost of the extra session three or four times over, and this will be some consolation to the country under that affliction.

THE 'BLAWSTED BRITISHER'S' STYLE
A select committee of the Senate, having the matter in charge have decided to recommend a radical change in our parliamentary proceedings. This is none other than giving members of the Cabinet seats in the Senate and House, and the right to debate in matters concerning their respective departments. This, of course, is taken from the English practice, although the cases are not strictly analogous. For instance, in that country if any measure supported by the government is lost it is considered necessary that the ministry resign so that another cabinet can be chosen that will reflect the sentiments of the majority. It is needless to remark that such will not be done with us. This, at first blush, would seem an innovation, but perusal of old Congressional Records will show that it is not without precedent. In 1789, Hamilton, Knox and Jefferson, members of Washington's Cabinet, appeared in Congress and gave their views upon certain subjects. I believe that the great George did the same thing once. There is no doubt that if the committee's report should be embodied in a law it would greatly facilitate the public business.