Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-08
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON
WAsHISGroN, Feb. "a, 1871

Receptions are more general than they have
been for years; and certainly among the
most popular are those of Speaker and Mrs
Blaine.
! The woman suffrage convention which was
held here short time since was considered a
great success by the advocates of the cause.
And indeed there is good ground for them to
rejoice, as they now number in their ranks all
the able literary women of the land, not a
few Congressman and several Senators. The
subject is rapidly growing in importance. 1t
is no longer a thing to be ''pooh hooed" at,
and put down by ridicule, but receives the
serious consideration which its great impor-
lance deserves. The speeches by the women
from all over the land were very eloquent in
the convention, and they were listened to by
audiences composed of the most intelligent
and respectable ladies and gentlemen of the
city and country generally. They had a
hearing before the judiciary committee where
they argued that by the Constitution, as now
amended, they were legally entitled to vote
and to exercise all the rights of citizens. A
maj ority of the committee have reported
against them; but they are undaunted still.
minority of the committee consisting of
Gen. Butler and Representative Loughridge
have reported in their favor. They have Sc
cured a committee room at the capitol, where
they are daily in attendance, preparing tracts,
issuing circulars, and working and talking in
dead earnest to help on the cause. They
solicit snhSrrinfions from tho women land
men too) of the country, to defray the ex-
penses of printing, etc. Some are even
80 sanguine as to say that the next President
will be elected by the aid of female votes.
That is too soon; but if the Republican lead
ers are wise they will not let the chance
which they have of maintaining their power
for the next generation pass into the hands
of the Democracy. The party cannot afford
to risk this, and we shall not be surprised if
the women are triumphant in 1876, if so then
there will be another "DeclaratIon of indie
pendence,' and the spirits of l776 and of 1876
will together lead this nation to the highest
and most enlightened liberty the world has
ever seen. 1t is an irrepressible conflict,
which will sooner or later lead to bloodless
victory, of not less Importance to humanity
than the humiliation of the Slave power.
There is justice and right in their cause, and
it must prevail.
One of the most important measures now
before Congress is abill to establish Terrific
rial form of Government for the District of
Columbia. Its chief features are the appoint
ment Of a Governor, two out of five members
of a Board of Public Works, and an Upper
Council or House, by the President and the
election by the people of the District, of the
remaining members of the Board of Public
| Works and of the lower branches of the Gen
eral Assembly or whatever else it may be
called; the payment of taxes by the general
government on its property, (Which is not
done now and last, but not least, the repre-
sentaton of the people by one member of
Congress. The plan is approved by Repub-
licans and Democrats, white and black, and
seems likely to become law during the
present session. Then we may hope to see
the cows and pigs banished from our streets.
The project of grand National Park is
en- line from the capitol to the grounds south
of the White House, and taking in the Capitol
Parks, the Botanical Garden, the Smithsonian
Institution, the Agricultural Department and
the Washington Monument grounds, dis
lance on direct line from east to west, of
about two miles, and an opportunity to make
one of the most magnificent public parks in
the world. If New York city with popula-
ton of one million can afford the luxury of a
Central Park, certainly the United States
ought to have as fine one. But then it don't
cost SO much to run the United States Coy
eminent as it does the New York city corpor-
alton, so l suppose Washington must be mod
est for the present. But why this city should
not be made the ''Paris of America" we cam
not see. 1t is essential that such great
nation as ours should have a capital which
shall truly represent it in proper manner.
The President is right in saying that the gov
eminent should expend million of dollars an
nualy in improving Washington. Congress is
more liberal this session than it was last, and
it is to be hoped that it will never retrograde
to that state of national miserliness which
characterized the second session of the Forty
| first Congress. We would not be understood
as advocating extravaganza, but so long as
Washington is dependent upon the govern
ment, is in fact part of the government, it
should be treated well, and the people of the
city ought not to be compelled to improve its
immense avenues and streets at their own ex-
pense.
The question Of the completion of Wash
ington Monument is being strongly agitated,
and with reasonable hope of success. The
Corcoran Academy of Art is soon to be opened
with grand ball, the proceeds of which are
to go towards the monument fund. 1t seems
shame that this huge stump should be al
lowed to remain a perpetual eye-sore and re-
proach to the American nation. When COM
plete it will be the most splendid monument