Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-11-09
LEADER.
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsHMGroN, D. O.. Nov. 3, 1861

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 3, 1864.
DEAR LEADER: The residents of the
National Capital cannot help observing the
rapidity with which Washington is throwing
off the incubus which has so long rested upon
it as Southern city. The war brought
Northern enterprise IS well as Northern
armies TO the capital; and while Northern
principles are fast permeating the once
slsve-c. .rsed and sickly Southern society,
and becoming predominant new life vital
ICES all the channels of municipal prosper
lily. Washington has made greater pro
gress in internal improvements during the
past four years than in the previous decade.
At the commencement of the present Ad-
ninistration the capital exhibited what
Holmes calls a general odor Of mild de-
cay" Long rows of business shanties on
the principal avenues, green with the moss
and mould OF years, were looked upon As
respectable in Southern eyes. Bnt these
monuments of the age of chivalry are pass
ing away, and structures of marble, stone
and iron take their places. The day is not
lar distant when Washington will be
among the first cities in the country in i'm
portance as business place. Among re-
cent improvements may be mentioned the
new line of horse railroad extending
through D, Fifth and F streets, and the sys-
tenn of police, and fire alarm telegraphs
just completed. Three first class hotels of
large size are in process of erection. The
new hotel on Fifteenth street, opposite the
Treasury Department, is to be called the
''St. George" It will be kept by Cole
man, so well known as the proprietor oil
the Eutaw House, in Baltimore.
The new Long Bridge is finished, con-
meeting Washington with the sacred soil"
1t compares favorably with the old Long
Bridge in architectural beauty, bnt can
hardly hope to attain the historic fame of
its rival, around which Bull Run and the
esrly incidents of the war have thrown a
melo-drsmatic interest.
Work upon the Capitol is being prose-
cuted vigorously. The dome being COM
plete externally, the workmen nre now en-
gagged upon the interior shell. This will
be finished in few months. The ugly
scaffolding and false ceiling, which have
so long disigured the rotunda, will then
be removed, and the perfect structure will
be the most magnificent work of art on
this continent. The front portico of the
south wing is about half fnished, thirteen
pillars being in place. The others will
soon be added. It is supposed that Con-
gress at its next session, will order a group
OF statUary for the pe1iment of the south
wing, to correspond with the beautiful
group in the pediment of the north wing
fka han b. A,I Z
the Old Hall OF Representatives. and
a marble floor is being laid, and
other alterations made to fit the
place for its new use as a hail for stat
uary, in which all the States of the Union
are to be represented by statues of their
most prominent citizens Still the main
feature of this hall, haunted once BY the
presence and now by the memories of the
departed great, will be preserved.
Washington is very quiet at present
with the exception of military movements,
which are constantly taking place. Only
month now remains before the session OF
Congress, and the hotels and boarding
houses are already filling up preliminary TO
that great event. The Accommodations for
strangers in the city will be much better
than last winter.
The smiling countensnce of our worthy
Governor dawned upon Wizards few
days ago. The Governor was looking as
we'll as ever. A sight at him is worth as
much TO q dyspeptic individual as bot
tie Of the best Sarssparilla, and he has
many friends in Washington
Ex-Governor DennisOn is giving great
satisfaction in his new position of Post
master General, and promises to be one of
the most successful incumbents of that i'm
portant Office. On the whole Ohio has no
reason to be ashamed Of her chief magis-
trates past and present.
E An extensive exodus Is going forward
from the various departments, of Govern
ment clerks and employees who are voters
in doubtful States. Ohio, being sure for the
Union, must not look for large reinforce
ments of orthodox voters from the "Army
Of Washington" Greenbacks must still
he ground out. The wheels of Govern
ment must contiue to revolve even at the
sacrifice Of a few hundred loyal ballots
At least such is opinion of the powers that
be. COLUMBIA.