Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-12-27
Letter from Washington .
KAsHIxarox. D. C, Dec. % IS

WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. % 1867.
.Hessrs. Edhsrs Of the Free Pres.
Congress mas come and gone again and we
are entering upon the holidays with bright sunny
skies overhead but with an abundance Of mixed
Snow and ice and mud underfoOt. Our hotels
seen almost deserted and our hotel keepers are
anxiously waiting for the return Of members
AID the thousands Of lobbyists, ofh,e seekers,
people who have little axes to grind, and the
myrisds Of the devotees Of fashion. Outside Of
the hotels and boarding houses there Is more
than the usual amount Of hustle and prepara-
ton. Christmas IL the holiday here and upon
every side evergreens are in demand AID many
a home will be frightened by the Christmas
trees, which viii be as plenty here as the hang
ing stockings at the north. On Saturday Gen.
Grant issued an order that the War Department
and the Bureaus thereof should be closed On
Christmas and New Years, and that during the
intervening week the office hours should be
from @ A. N. to u ", with only half the
clerks Oh duty If the other members Of the
Cabinet issue similar order We shall have
real holiday,
Within the past few days we have had two OF
three days Of what Is here considered coed
slaiehing. The luxury Of a sleigh ride when
the SLOW first came was valued at Eve dollars
per hour for q single team or ten for span
rather an expensive amusement, for northern
people at least. On Sabbath morning the 18th
inst. Washington met with sad loss by the
accidental burning Of the Calvary Baptist
Church Oh sth street near the Patent Office
This edifce vss only completed last year Al
cost Of about SI25, 900, Of which amount nes--
" 100000 was donated by the Hon Amos
Kendall Of this city The FIRE was discovered
about O'Clock A. NJ, in the midst Of q driving
snow storm which prevented the engines from
doing much service. The Society in this church
was organized IL 1862 with from thirty-f7e &c
forty members Their numbers have been
steadily increasing and owing in great part to
an extensive revival in 1868 and G. they have
one Of the largest societies in Washington. The
church eiifce was insured for shout $4,000
and vii be rebuilt at once. This was the first
church ever destroyed by FIRE in this city. The
work upon our new congregational church, in
which 50 many northern people are interested,
il progressing rapidly and in few weeks ser
vices viii be held in the lecture room. One Of
the most gratifying evidences Of improvement
in tins city are the new churches and school
houses. a dozen new churches hsve sprung up
during and tlnce the war, while the Wallch
School House upon Capitol Hill, and Franklin
School House corner Of 18th and b streets, will
be ornaments 10 the Capital Of great nation.
Until within the past few years children have
been huidled together II poorly ventilated
rooms which al the most would hardly De con
sidered suitable for wagon sheds, but il the
course Of improvement which is now steadily
going on We shall soon be W with any ciiy in the
country in the quality Of cur sshool-aouses.
During the coming year new public build
ing Will be completed for the Department Of
agriculture. It is situated between the Smith
sonian Institute and the Washington Monument
It i built Of briok-someihing in style Of the
Smithsonian, and viii be an additional ornament
that portion Of the city. Co. CaprOa, the
new Commissioner Of Agriculture. has entered
upon his work with spirit, and many needed re-
forms are being made. Nearly ffy employees
have been discharged and all expenses are be
ing eurtailed. Hereafter the wholesale distri-
button Of seeds and plants Will be discontinued,
and only those which are valuable viii be sent
on; into the country. The old fey commissioner
Of Public Buildings, who has done little else than
talk about VIVA; ssall be done, has been super
ceiei by Gen. 8lichler an under his supervi-
sion during the pas; season much has been &C
eomplishei to beau,ify and siorn the city.
Daring the coming spring the city charter ez-
pires, and q strong movement is nov on foot to
have the District brought under one rule, with
commissioners appointed by Congress. We are
too much governed now and almos; any change
would be blessing Among other improve
ments made here during the past year sre from
1900 to 2ooo new building, smang which are sew
eral splendid stores and great many fine resi-
dences. 4 spirit Of emulation If being shown
among our citizens, and in few years there viii
be but fes evidences Of the Washington which
formerly was, always fifty years behind the
times. We shall soon have three new railroads
centerei here. One from the Poin; Of Rocks
giving Us a NO re direct route to the West One
from the south connecting with the new route
from Acquia Greek to Baltimore and branch
road from Louion, Hampshire aul Fairfax
counties, Va Let the good work 20 on. 1.-THE
'' Yankee" stay here there If hope fr Wash
ing;on yet. Yours truly,