Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-02-23
Our Washington Letter.

n
Exposition, to Re held here in 1871 or
1872, which has absorbed the attention of Wash
ngton for the past year, and which has excited
the enthusiastic interest of her property owners
and capitalists, received its death-wound in the
Senate on Friday last. Upon its first appearance
in the Senate early in the session, il encountered
the unexpected and earnest opposition of Senator
Morrill, Of Vermont who based his opposition up
on the ground that, although government aid was
not directly asked, yet Congress in the end would
have 10 come ~ the rescue Of the National credit
with large appropriations. The bill of incOrpO-
ration has since lain in the hands of the Commit
tee until Friday last, when Senator Ilamln called
for its consideration The animated discussion
which Immediately ensued, and the engerness
with which it was assailed, soon convinced the
most hopeful Of It's friends that Congress would
not give them even the negative support of an act
of incorporation IL was Ia vain that Mr. Ham
lin, who attempted feeble defense explained and
that the people did not ask or expect
any direct pecuniary assistance from the govern
ment that they had subscribed from their own
means nearly two mllions Of dollars, which thew
were able, willing and ready to invest in the en-
terprise, and that all they asked Of Congress was
the necessary legislative sanction 10 enable them
TO do So Party distinctions and local differences
were for q time forgotten. Democrats Joined Re-
publicaus, and the West united with the East
Mr.. Thurman Of Ohio cast Che first stone. by de-
predicted
for it a miserable failure If attempted Mr. Nor
rill declared that we had not sufficiently recovered
from the effects Of the late war that we could
not creditahy compete with the workshops of the
Old World. and that the National Capital was in
no condition 10 visited by strangers. Abiding 10
the fact that we arc accessible by only one line Of
railroad, he added that another serious objection
to holding the proposed Exhibition in Washing
ton, was the fact that in order to get here we had
ID IN Maryland "a al ali itu 81
privilege Of riding through the State and those
who came from the Northeast had also 10 drop
into the State treasury Of New jersey through
the ticket office OF the Camden Il AmbOy Railroad
one dollar as tax for the privilege Of crossing
her barren soil. Senator's Stewart Oi Neyadn. and
ochurz Of Missouri, l0 'ked up the opposition in
speeches Of cOnsdcr e length the former Of
whom claimed that wien we were ready 90 invite
the world 10 visit US, some point in the West
should be selected, in order that our visitors
might obtain some knowledge Of the immense ex-
tent and resources Of our Western domain Mr.
Sehurz denounced 1t rs a scheme for the benefit Of
Washington hotels and boarding houses, and
thought the people Of Washgnton could employ
their surplus money more seusiby and pr1iinbly
in building up much needed improvements, and
in enlarging the communications with the rest Of
the country.
This last fling is regarded By the people Of
Washington a. " the unkindest cut of all 4" Held
as yassal subjects Of Congress they can do moth
ing without its gracious permission II is an
incredible fact that no resident of Washington
can erecta board shanty in mis- back yard rs
summer kitchen. without special act Of the city
council, which must be approved and Ngncd by the
President Of the United States Accordingly ses-
sion after session, the people of Washington pros
trate themselves before Congress, and humbly
pray for permission TO build up much needed i'm
provements, which is either refused, or the bill
On, 4 "a a.
the expiration of the session.
In reply to MIR. Schurz, Mr.. Sherman on Fri
day last said, " For years they have been begging
and praying you TO allow them TO help them
selves they have asked to be permitted 10 pave
their streets, aud You refuse B.. hid railroads
aud you turn them away. You ha,. done nothing
for the District OF Columbia except to neglect your
diton"
Even now a company OF wealthy citizens are
waiting before Congress for permission 10 build a
market-hOuse which shall cost a million of dol
lars, and which would be a credit 10 the National
Capitol, and proud ornament to the city. They
ask no money from Congress, but only permission
70 use their own. IL is scarcely probable that
this will be granted and the unsighty aud rot
ten old sheds that now disgrace aud disfgure
81" the Avenue will be likely 10 remain. a re-
proach to the present and an eyesore 10 the next
generation.
In view of all this and more, it is adding insult
70 injury, for Congress to reyile the people Of
Washington because their city is not improved,
beautifed and adorned.
| need scarcely add that the Great Interna-
tional Exhibition, the aspiration and the ATTEMPT
for which does honor To her enterprise and liber-
atty, will doubtless be added TO the long list Of
the great expectations and Disappointment
Of Washington.
On Monday Of last week, Congress was attack
ed in both Houses with one offs intcrmittant and
periodical dispositions u patrOnize and encourage
the line arts, which amiabe weakness has placed
80 many monstrosities in marble in and around
the Capitol. Mr.. Hamin introduced in the Sen
ate a bill To and IN the construction of an Eques-
TRAN Statue IN bronze of the late Secretary of
War, John a. Rawlins and Mr.. Abbott of south
Carolina, introduced bill appropriating IS 900
lor the purchase OF an oil painting Of Abraham
Lincoln. The latter is q full length life size fp-
ure recently finished by j. H. Llttlefeld, and Is
now on exhibition in the Fast room Of the White
House. Although the likeness Of the face is
good It seems 10 me that the artist has exaggerated
the awkwardness of the figure. While it is de-
sirable that the likeness Of the D." Great Emanci-
pator should be preserved in marble, and on
canvass, 1t IS very questionable if this picture is
worthy OF adoption tornatiOnal preservation In
the House Of Representatives, Hon b. +. Whit
more offered joint resolution, authorizing the
Secretary Of the Interior 10 contract with Fisk
Mills, sculptor, for group in marble TO be plae-
ed in the vacant pediment Of the South Wing Of
the Capitol Mr.. Nil has executed in plaster a
miniature model, eleyti feet in length. represent
ing his conception for lie group. The design req
resents the epoch of Emancipation. Ia the CEN
tire and constituting the tallest and most promi-
nent hgure stands the Genius Of America lust
emerging from the smoke and vapOr Of bloody
strife, and striking from group of slaves crouch
ing on either side OF her, the shackles Of bondage
Chains, letters and other instruments Of Oppres-
sion lie broken at her feet kneelng upon the new
ly made graves OF Union martyrs representing
the price at which their liberties were purchased,
the eniranehised race are lifting their hands to
Heaven IN thanksgiving and praise The design
is strikngly beautiful and appropriate. Whether
Mr.. Mills has sufficient genius and skill 10 render
the execution worthy the design and the place is
seriously questioned by art critics. Some time
ago, Congress appropriated sufficient cannon cap
tured by Ten. Grant, for the construction of a
bronze equestrian statue Of the General The
funds Tor the modelling and casting, amounting to
70 500 900, had been raised by private contribu-
ton. The artist, Bailey of Boston, is now en-
gagged at his studio erected for the purpose. s,utb
OF the White House, in modelling the horse max
ing an exact likeness of the Generals fayorite
war-horse. 1t will take several months TO COM
plete the model and to make the cast When
done it IL TO be placed upon the new terrace Of the
south front Of the Treasury building, where Il
will constitute one Of the most prominent objects
IN Washington. 1t can be seen from the White
House and surrounding grounds, from the Capt.
toll and from every point along Pennsylvania
Avenue, from tho Capitol 10 the Treasury
In addition TO these recent art enterprises il IL
supposed that Miss Winnie Ream is ia Italy exc.
cutting the statue Of Lincoln, for which Congress
some four years ago, while in a sportye mood one
night, gallantly appropriated ten thousand dol.
lars, and paid her in advance, leaving her 10 per-
form the work II at all, whenever il might suit
her own sweet will 10 do 80.
There is quite ilutter in official circles here
within the last two or three days, occasioned by
the report of discoveries made By the House Mill.
tiry Committee, who are investigating the alleged
sale OF cadetshps. IL is said that quite a number
OF members of the present, as well as of previous
Congresses, and of both political parties are al
ready implicated. 1t is reported by those who
pretend TO know the secrets of the Committee
ROOM that there are at present some ten OF twelve
lame ducks IN the nets Of the Committee. X r..
Butler OF Tennessee, appeared before the Com.
mlttee on Saturday, and admitted that he received
) 1000 for his West Point nomination but claims
that he gave $500 b aid in the election of Stokes
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