Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-09-29
Washington letter.
WASHINGTON, Sep. "a,

Editor Rltldnd Herald Since my last
communication to the HERALD, nothing
can be said to have transpired to materi-
ally effect, either in volume OR frequency,
the beating of the public pulse of this
metropolis. From the Capitol or White
House, down to the most unpretentious
corner grocery or peanut stand in the
most humble part of the city, every pub
lie place, may, I may say more than that,
nearly every private place as well) are re-
ceiving the necessary attention prepare
tory to the grand contamination of human
ambition in Washington, viz: the COM
ing session of Congress, and the attendant
advantages which it offers.
Though every enterprise, and much
that is not enterprising, is preparing TO
come forth at that time full fledged, still,
the work Of preparation is being conduct
ed in an unpretentious manner; every
thing seems to move forward with an air
of certainty rather than speed, seeming
to say nothing is wanting now, but all
things shall be ready in good time. To
master the exigencies of the future is the
first element of success, aud none better
than Washingtonians know how to abide
their time, or embrace their golden oppor.
tunities. What to the casual glance of
the stranger might appear as of little or.
no Importance, TO the practioed eye of the
expert is full of meaning. He has watched
the ebb aud flow of this metropolitan tide
in all of its minuteness, until the paddl-
ing of his canoe is less predetermined than
certain.
The coming session is to be a short, but
according to precedent very lively in a
business sense, and socially very gay. a
new Congress, for obvious reasons, will
cause many persons to visit Washington
who have not attended on other occasions
With the old Congress dies many promi-
nent officials, class of people which die
very hard, whose dying throes are felt as
they throw themselves into society, and
in all public capacities.
Legislation confined to three or four
months, instead of eight or nine, must OF
necessity be hurried, and the various en-
terprises throughout the land requiring
attention will be represented here during
that time.
The fashionable world will have to put
up with the short time between the holt
days and the 4th of March, and "Mrs.
Grundy" always having a great deal to
h., I,,+ Oh TO
in, and of course will talk fast.
Meanwhile some public improvements
are transporting which it gives me de-
light to pen, and which must in
terest every one to know. About
the porticos and ends of the Capitol
building sewers are being laid to drain
the vicinity, and granite curb, with
tagging to correspond with that in the
West Park, is to be extended entirely
around the building, while the ground
between the Capitol and the park is pro
missed a coat of gravel.
Rejoice, oh We frequenters of the Capitol
-. for your feet will be raised from the mire
and clay, which has so long been your EN-
barrassment. And, rejoice oh ye who
never saw the capitol and never intend to
but wins bare your shoulders to the whee
of appropriation. Rejoice ye for you
oountrys sake, that her national edifc'
is to be raised from the literal mire ant
clay which has SO long provoked jus
criticism.
Through Mr.. J. r. French, the genia
Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, learl
that new carpet is to replace the ole
one formerly on the floor of the Senat
chamber.
Mr.. French spent several days in New
York in comparing and testing differen
patterns Preference was finally given t.
one of a green groundwork, with a small
figure of golden hue, said to be particu
larly pleasing in effect, especially whel
viewed from the gallery, but more mi
mute description can be given after havin
seen it. OF the kind selected not enoug
could be found in New York, somethin
over thousand yards being required
He was therefore obliged to order fror
the mandatory in England. The oil
one will be remembered by every one VIII
ever saw it, doubtless as being of an ex
oellent character for a steamboat cabin O
barber shop, or anywhere where ds2
cling, glazing fire red is wanted but sad
ly wanting in character TO correspon,
with the supreme dignity and bearing Q
the United States Senate.
In the Representatives Hall confusio
still reigns, but of q different eharaote
from that of yore. have seen before no,
two hundred and fifty, members and oti
ers, all doing something at once, the mos
of them talking, laughing or clappin
their hands to call page boys-half-a-do;
en- addressing the chair at the same tim
in the loudest strains, and with voic,
keyed all the way from the deep CUTTERS
to falsetto, while from the speakers des
was heard (hardly) alternate whacks
the msllet and cries of order; but to IL
credit of that body be it said that new,
saw such silent confusion as now reigl
there. The whole room is dismantle
Desks are piled promiscuously upon eae
other in the center of the room and co
cred with old mating carpets gone, an
at one end of the room stands huge BIZ
with really more mortar within it than
upon the floor.
All is still, but the faint clicking caus
you to look up, and through the outsit
Of -pARelipg in the skylights owe