The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-04-05
4 CorrssPSndsnes on sias Rsssnsz. 8
WAsHrNaToH. d. c.. March 80, 1870.

ls.3'-1 u6 0SCllu6 VI IrAu39Itcssu SutlSuo{C0 -
a matter whiohs has and Is still engaging
i the attention Of Congtsss, butit is feared
that little will be done TO, reviys iii
Theraoan be nd doubt that. tho present
stagnation in commerce is owing to the
protective policy, which was inaugurated
and which is still supported by the Re
publican party. It has become fixed
fact that wooden steam vessels are now
out of date-their day has gone by.
Yet on account OF the high protective
tariff on iron, our people cannot compete
with foreign nations in the construction
of iron Glad vessels, A complete revolu-
tion in the carrying tradeupon the ocean
has been worked since 1860, and now the
screw propellers take the place Of modern
sailing vessels. The duty upon iron is
such that 1t costs something over $40, 900
more to construct vessel III this coun-
try of 1.000 tons burthen than it does in
England or other European Statee; as
long as this is the case, our vessels can
not compete with those built abroad. It
is remarkable fact, that we have not O
gagged in commercial business between
our own and o foreign nation. Our
mails, our passengers and freight are all
carried by foreign vessels. The United
States Government pays annually sub
sidy to foreign vessels of some $3.50, 600
for simply transporting the mails.
The receipt OF the telegram, yesterday,
announcing the 1 unexpected death of
General George n. Thomas, on Monday
night, causes much sorrow here, espe-'
| cially among the exsarmy officers. and
soldiers, of whom Waahington, more
than any other place, possesses o, large
number.;i ..IHUit :b..trltV . l!it
The numerous complaints from tax
/ payers in different PARTS of the country,
of inciviIity of revenue assessors. are
having the. .effrct. it is understood, to
cause Commissioner Delan6 to issue
circular, instructing assessors and their
assistants'to to be more patient and ,consi-
derate in their dealings with all persons
with whom their Office brings in contact.
Since my last writing, nothing of
greater importance has transpired than
the message of the President to the Se-
nate, notifying that body that an exten-
sion Of thirty days from the 29th instant
had been obtained in which the treaty
for San Domingo could be ratified. This
extension was obtained for the express
purpose, of course, of giving more time
for deliberation in the matter, but the
opponents to the measure will make a
desperate effort to dispose Of the bill ut
once, for they ore assured that the ne
cessary two-third vote cannot be OBJ
tanned to ratify it..o Senator Shurz, in
opposition to the treaty. contended that
| the people of the tropics are incapacitated
for constitutional government and
| would eventually lead US into trouble,
It is understood to be the desire of the
President that the treaty be recommitted,
and that commission be Immediately
sent to San Domingo, that more informa-
ton be gained in the matter.
It is confidently expected that the Sun
Domingo treaty will be rejected, thirty FIVE
Senators are known to be for rejection,
twenty-three against, ten uncertain and
two absent. If the twenty-three positive,
tho uncertain and the absent we're oil to
combine, it would ouly make tie vote,
but this is of course impossible.
Washington city, with population of
about 100000, has only two theatres. It
has some very fine libraries; seven asy-
lums; six Baptist Churches; eight Catho-
lie; one Christian; ten Episcopal; one
Episcopal Methodist; one Eyangelican
Associations; one Hebrew Synagogue;
five Lutheran; fourteen Methodist Epis-
copal; ten Methodist Protestant; eleven
Presbyterian; two Quaker; one Sweden
borgian; one Unitarian, and two Con-
gregationalin oil, about sixty-six church.
es or places of worship. These are all
we'll attended. We have twenty-nine
Masonic Lodges, with very large mem.
bership; twentythree lodges of Odd Eel
lows; twelve of Knights of Pythias; seven
of Improved Order of Red Men; nine of
Brotherhood of the Union, and seven of
Good Fellows. We have three base ball
clubs-the Olympic, National and the
Jefferson. The two first are professional,
while the latter is an amateur club.
We are expecting to have vast i'm
provement in the city in the way of q
new market-house. At present our prin-
cipal market is on Pennsylvania avenue,
between Ninth and Seventh streets, and
consists of long, low, dilapidated old
building. to which is connected num-
Der of old wooden shanties. A bill has
recently passed the House, authorizing
an incorporated company to erect a
splendid edi6ce upon the site of the old
building, for market purposes. This
building will not only be q great orna
ment to that portion of the citv Int