Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-03-14
A VISIT TO WASHINGTON CITY.


Editorial Correspondence of the journal" "
CLEARFIELD, March 8, 1860.
DEAR READERS During my absence from
home, last week, paid flying visit to Wash
ington, the capital of the Union. The city
has favorable location, but the buildings are
too scattered and irregular to make one re-
gard the place as either tasteful or beautiful
1t has been we'll named the ssClty of Magnif-
cent Distances" 1t might also be appropri-
ately called a city of magnificent pretentions
and habits, for extravaganza and display a.
bound everywhere, in private we'll as in
public circles, to such an extent that you in
voluntarily are forced to conclude that no lit
tie of it is mere sham. Tastes and morals are
beyond all doubt vitiated. Everything, in
deed, in and about the place, has touch Of
the negIigc, if l may be permitted to use the
term in this connection, which leaves doubt
fu, uncertain and suspicious impression on
the mind of a stranger.
No one visiting Washington for few days
can fail to become impressed With the idea
that corruption and pecuation abound there
to an alarming extent. In this connection, an
acquaintance remarked to me that all that a
mere nominal Office, and that severything was
done with money for money! In the course
of conversation with another gentleman, I
inquired of him what member of Congress
could clear in a winter; to which he replied
that "he can be reasonably honest and clear
his salary" If this can be done by being ssrea-
sonably honest" what, We are left to inquire,
may not be done by acting dishonesty Many
thousands of dollars are no doubt uselessly
wasted upon the public buildings. Whether
the Capitol, Patent or Post Office ssextensions''
or ssalterations,'' of which we read, have real
ly for their object the improvement of the
buildings, or are intended to give fat jobs to
favorites, l leave others to infer; but it seems
to me that keeping few men picking away at
O couple Of big lime-ston blocks for year or
two, and paying out enormous sums for the
work thus done, looks more as if it was de-
signed to- spile up rocks in the contractors
pocket than on the public buildings. A fact
or two concerning the dome of the Capitol,
will give faint idea of how some things are
done. The original design of the dome was
altered in 1856, and 100000 appropriated to-
ward its construction. Another change was
made last year. On the demolition of the old
and the progress of the new dome, S3O1 $50
have been expended. TIE balance on hand
is $39S, ,l40. further sum of S245, GOO is re-
luired, and three years more time will be con-
sumed in completing it, if no further altera-
tions are made. This will make the cost of
the dome alone S901 900.
The public buildings are splendid structures.
The Capitol is building of which the Nation
an immense cost, and there is no telling how
much more money may yet be spent in its a.
dornment and in its completion, for those who
get the control of it seem to be like the boy
who undertook to say grace, they s'can't wind
the darned thing ups The Capitol stands on
an eminence, and from it you have tolerable
view of the city, with Georgetown and Alex
andria in the distance. The grounds surroun-
ding it display much taste. An enlargement
OF these, it is said, will be proposed by the ap-
propriate committee, one square north and one
square south. The square north is covered
with brick houses, worth perhaps not less than
half million Of dollars. If the bill is report
ed and becomes law, as a matter of course
somebody will make nice thing out of the
ssenlargement.' The post office, treasury,
and patent Office buildings are also beautiful
and costly. The latter is place of decided
interest, and the visiter becomes lost in won-
der and amazement at the vast number and
variety Of articles 1t contains.
On Wednesday afternoon 1 heard Mr.. Sew
ard deliver his speech on the admission of
Kansas. By the kind Intervention of Gen.
Cameron, number of the members of our
State Legislature and other Pennsylvanians
VINO were in the city, were accommodated with
seats in the ladies gallery. Such crowd as