Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-02-17
Our Washington Letter.


WASHINGTON, D C., Feb. 4.
EzH5r Free Pres. & Tfmss.
Since the tee D-Hoimes' serving nan laugh
ed himself into fit over some Of the poets funny
verses, there Is 10 record of quite such uproari-
Gus laughter as greeted the long speech Ct the
Hon. J. Proctor Knott Of Kentucky, in explain
alton Of his vote on bill to extend ,he charter Of
one Of the railroads terminating At Duluth The
lost gravity and buttons have however since been
restored and grsver matters are receiving due
attention. The long contested MeGarrahan land
claim has apparently received its death blow al
the hands Of the Judiciary committee OF the
House, although Mr.. Bingham has asked leave
to present minority report in favor Of the
claimant. The very thorough airing Mr. Dawes
gave to the claim Of Mr.. Chorpenning f5r the
payment Of several hundred thousand dollars on
account Of 5 contract Tor carrying the Iails
across the Rocky Mountains tsn or twelve years
ago. which ella n the Postofice Department has
persistently declined to pay, resulted in the
prompt passage Of a joint resolution repeating
the act Of July 10Th l.st. which authorized its I
settlement on sn unusually liberal basis, The
whole affair is in very bad odor al present, and
it is rumored that the turn the msttsr has taken
may result IN the retirement Of Mr. Creswel .
from the Cabinet Other changes II the Cabinet
are rumored but with less probable foundation.
Several important bills nov await the action .
Of conference committees, among them the il
come-taz bill. Civil service reform has been
most sbly advocated il the Senate by Ar. Schu-1.
but not IL support Of M Trum5uI's bill He .
has too good sense for that Mr. Hill has finally .
been admitted to his seat as Seustor from Gaor-
gis. after an iu;olersbiy long period Of proba-
ton
The rival claims Of Alr. Hamilton and Gen
Reynolds to the seat nov occupied BY the former
IS Senator from Texas, will prove a kno,ty qaes-
tion aad must soon be decided Itis sad TO see 50
able man as Senator Yates absolutely dragged
from his present position by his appetite for drink.
lie has few superior IN the Senate IN natural
ability, sud but for tins want Of selfcoutrol might
have represented MS state with credi, for year
90 come. Gen. Logan, who If TO succeed him, is
lar frcm icing az able man. hut Is not want
ing IN self-conf ieHce and is q frst-ra;e stump
speaker. He looks almost IS much Ike 90
Indian as Gen. Parker, the Commission Of
Indian Affairs he hiss not quite the traditional
Indian stS.urc, but his complexion. ewes and
hair 81 indicate Indian origin. The women
have not vet the ballot but their rights as
lobbyists are fully acknowledged, and ruuor
says thst the General owes his seaatorslip 90
feminine influence
At last Mr.. Drummond has been confirmed
as commissioner Of the Land Office, which lays
poor old Joseph Wilson on the shelf BE has
only been IN the Land Once in various posi-
tons, forty-eight years, and ir seems pity be
must be turnei cut just IS be is becoming tami-
iisr with the work
The newspaper men Of the city gave Col J.
v Forney 8 superb dinner or We.cker's last
Saturday evening. on the occasion 0f his retiring
from the eiit0rship Of the Chronicle Sels-0r
Sumner snd Daniel D0ugherty, ESQ Of the
Philadelphia bar, were the only persons present
not connected with the press. In responding TO
a toast, Col Forney gave some very interesting
showing the rapid multiplication OF
in this country since the Revllu-
dsiies-0f which he sall
greater number were now published in the
I nited States than II ali the world besides. lie
district Of Columbia under the new territorial
We expect to inaugurate SO soon
The second reception Of the President was held
last night There wss lot quite the usual Jam
On this occasion, and two sturdy policemen sta
toned 81 the entrance Of the Blue Room enabled
visitors 10 60 through the ceremony Of preents- q
ton 20 the President and Mrs Grant without s
annoyance from those behind Mrs Grant was
assisted by several distinguished lsdles The
Marine Band was slowed away 10 the niche
eading out Of the East Room, and 90 lovers o. @
inc music formed one Of the principal attrac-
lions. Eice-President ColiaI and wife. the
;sbinet ministers with their wives and daughters
and most Of the persons belonging 20 what is
InoEn IS - societs here. were present but The 81.
principal excitement was the visit Of tire ia
,Anese, who were introduced by M Stewart, II
he consul az Yokohama, who acted rs Interure- g.
er. They have adopted our dress in full The
Eo who speak English cha-tei quite freely with
II 10 whom they were reduced. and scues-eI q
o quite enjoy the entertainment The comuis- 81
ion is headed by Jushe HIobuuie Ito. Assis- .
ant Secretary Of Finance OF the japanese EE-
ire. and has been sent cut 10 study the hnsncI4l
ystems Of different nations Ours is TO be In
estgated first. They were forms-i y presented
Q the President snd Cabinet on Wednesday last,
nd on the following day made the tour Of the c
EeAAuTy beial tlAe-lt- inspecting fe-f --4-- D.
be machinery IN operation in the printing hu- ~
eau, where our national currency receives lis I'll
nishinE touches. Japan Is now blessed with 70
war debt a. well IS ourselves, and proposes %
stablIsh a national currency something like
lrs The Chief Clerk Of the Treasury Depart III
rent il charged with the task Of enlgh-suinc be
hem IN regard to the workings O.. the various
ureIrs Of the department and Of cur revenue
'steu. He finds them ye-y eager and attentive W.
upiis.
Yours