Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-03-09
our Washington letter.
WASHINGTON, DC, Feb 2

WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. %.
Editor Rutzand Herald The city is
yet alive with the residue of the carnival
Thousands of strangers daily throng
every resort. They closely scan the arch
iteeture of the capitol in every nook and
corner, and find marvels where to prao-
ticed eyes everything has grown familiar
aud tame. They are continually pouring
in and out of the galleries, and all sorts
of expressions indicate the many impress
ions produced upon the various temper
ments that scan the proceedings below.
To many Congress is kind of colossal
museum, filled with specimens, great and
small, all of fabulous interest, and they
search for this and that one of high re-
pute and having found, eye them with
an all absorbing interest, Watching their
every motion as if they had discovered
and were investigating a new order of
animal life, others regard it as so much
work to be done and this is the class that
know how t.. take 1.-THE advantage. They
do the capitol systematically; first com.
mencing at the crypt or engine room,
away down in the base of the building
where the light of day never reaches, no.
ting each important feature and recurring
souveniers at every stand until they
reach the top of the dome. A glance from
the gallery suffice Hhis class of visitors, to
affect interest in what they evidently
know and care little they often ask ques.
tions, such ss, if that man at the desk
meaning the Speaker is the President of
the United States, or in the Senate what
Senator that is sitting near the door,
meaning the doorkeeper. They eagerly
scan the Senate as if something was lack
ing and finally ask the doorkeeper to
point out "Ben Batter" and upon being
informed of their mistake aud that he be-
longs to the House of Representatives.,
they with an Oh, yes, certainly, affect to
have always known it, and 60 their way
to make other discoveries.
The carnival demonstrations have past
and popular judgment rendered upon its
merits. Much may be said in its favor.
There was less drunkenness and disorder
than l ever saw at such a gathering, there
were no murders or serious casualties-I
another marvellous festure--and general
good feeling seemed to prevail The frat
days and evenings programme seemed to
elicit the general verdicts of failure hum
bug, fraud, ETC., and on the following day
the crowd had materially diminished.
Seats that the day before had gone easy
at one dollar, went down to twenty five
cents, and not takers at that. Those who
attended the second day were less favored
by weather but more fortunate in display,
which gave the whole sta 'ow Of sue
cess.
The people of Washington have striven
hard to make it success, and are deserv-
ing of praise. People from abroad have
met with hospitable reception, and, con.
trary to all precedent, have heard of no
extortion being practiced upon them. The
desire seems to be to have a carnival every
year, or some demonstration by which to
draw the national mind upon its capitol,
to cultivate a greater intimacy between
the capitol and the people. This Is COM
mendable Recognizing the virtue of
printers ink, they made love to the press.
1t was early announced that d sumptuous
banquet, to which every newspaper man
in Washington was to be invited, was to
cap the carnival climax, of course that
made no difference, but certain it is that
by portion of the press it was voted a
success before it came off. | shall never
cease to feel sense of gratitude for the
Difference shown me as member of the
press, but in ohronicling events, feel COM
PEELED to write of things as they are, not
as would like to have them, and thus I
say it had not the qualities of great
success.
The fact is the American people have
little inclination for such sports, they are
too matter-of-fact and stoical. They can
adopt the elating and drinking customs
of the Teuton and go in for lager beer,
sour krout, switzer cheese and pretzels, but
cannot as readily don the fuu-making,
laughter.loving, effervessiug geniality of
Hans and Gretchen. We may be liable
to keep hotep and do lots of other cum
ming things, but we are not up to the re-
quirements of this institution This
failed in the part not down on the pro-
gramme, and we have an idea it is essen.
tial for the success of such a time that
the crowd be thoroughly imbued with the
spirit and everybody carnivalling on their
own hook. Seventy thousand Germans
together on such an occasion, and the j,
buzz of their festivities would have dis
turbed the prestine quiet of the Hub. ,
CONGRESS I
meanwhile remained in session both ,
lays, and we noticed but one Vermont 9
seat vacant. On Monday the McGarrahan ,
Slain again made its appearance in the q
House. This claim representing some
hing like $S,000,000, has been through Q
the departments, before the President, has I
figured largely in cabinet changes, has 8
been canvassed in Congress until nothing G
lew is to be looked for concerning it, un. S
ess, indeed it be new bills for champagne q
md cigars and new checks drawn by new 9
obby members. lie