The Portland daily press., 1866-07-26
Brief commsn.s ON Current Topics.

r r
Ma 81 Y tyec weeks AGO we called attention
to the model lodging houses OF Boston and
other cities, and urged the Importance of
erecting buildings Of similar character
here. We publish this morning "a communi-
cation enforcing the same view by new ,argu-
ments and new illustrations. Without att
tempting to add anything to the general ar
gument, which is impressive enough as it
stands, we take the liberty to make two prac-
teal suggestions. 1. Experience proves that
no enterprise of this kind can be successful,
unless superintendent lives in the building
and Constantly looks after it; but the expense
of such Superintendent need not be con-
sidered an objection to the scheme, since
capable men can easily be found to under
take the duty for their own rent. or nearly
that. 2. The disposal of the relief fund is
already in the hands of committee, who
have given notice of their intention to assist
deserving persons whose houses have been
destroyed and who desire to rebuild. A prac-
teal way to bring up the question win be
therefore, for actual sufferers by the fire to
apply to the committee for assistance il this
form. Such an application, presented bymen
enough to take all the tenements of house
of this kind, would certainly be treated with
great consideration and would probably be
successful. 8 srs q tsa 5,ssel. as1s sss5 30. 4.
If the decayed Macedonian who appealed
from Philip drunk to Philip sober could re-
visit this mortal scene, he would not venture
90
this country. Between the insolent brag of
Vice-President Johnson's Inauguration speech
and the braggart insolence of President, John
sons last communication to the House of
Representatives, there is no difference except
in Conference. The arrogance of low and
narrow mind is the chief characteristic of
both efforts. The spectacle of President of
the United States reading lecture to the
two houses of Congress and rebuking their
anomalous proceedings" is something very
strange to free people. The tone which
may answer fora Bismark is not the proper
tone for an American chief magistrate. The
veteran statesmen Of the thirty-ninth Cong
ress have never been considered Mr.. John
sons interiors, and it might fairly have been
presumed that the action. upon which they
have agreed after patient elaboration was en-
titled to be treated with becoming respect.
Such, it appears, is not Mr.. Johnson's
t3a"o 3ft .ls00ac 10 nlrs Rare
MIR. HARVEY, u. S. Minister at Lisbon,
wrote very snobbish letter last March to Mr..
Seward private letter in which he cyl
pressed the most extravagant admiration for
the President and his policy. Mr.. Seward ofl
course showed the letter to Mr.. johnson. who
at once recommended its publication. The
President has way of publishing private
letters whenever it suits his ends, which is
quite unusual among gentlemen. The pub
lished letter was so offensive, that it was
taken up in the Senate and Mr.. Fessenden
though he rarely uses terms of reproach. did
not hesitate to call the author a lickspittle. !,
So far 1t is all very well. Mr.. Harvey is a
lickspittle. But last week the House of Re-
representatives. struck out the appropriation for
Mr.. Harvey's salary and refused to pass the
diplomatic bill unless the Senate concurred in
this unusual action-and the Senate did con-