National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-10-15
SPEAKER PENNINGTON.

political changes"
SPEAKER PENNINGTON.
Young men and boys havo good deal TO
do with legislation. Willie Todd, Speaker
Colfax's messenger. OF him took occasion
TO inquire into the person and history Of
Thaddy Morris, who had been page to Speaker
Pennington In 1859, and virtual Speaker Of
the House OF Representatives. Mr.. Ponning-
ton was delightful old gentleman, ignorant
o. parliamentary practice, and he was elected
by compromise between tho adherents Of
Sherman and Marshall, Of Kentucky. Placed
In his embarrassing chair, he found the great
dog-pit Of the House barking, like Cerfcrus,
under him, and he took every ruling, point
and suggestion from Thaddeus most grate-
fully.
Once, Il Is related, when young Morris had
prepared everything snugly for Pennington,
outlined the order Of business, prompted him
completely, and left the course straight as
the crow hles," so that q wayfaring man,
though fool, need not go astray, he said to
the Speaker; "Now, go on"
'Now, 90 opl" cried Pennington, promptly,
to tho House; ut which there was huge
laughter.
II was an inspiring thing to sec that deli
ton, like Paul Revere's friend In the old
South Church spIre, supplying knowledge to
the gray beard who had the honor without
the skin Of governing. There Is many boy,
unseen, at tho elbows OF statcsmen-llttle
fellows Of downy chns-whosc heads are as
long rs a sum at compound interest.
THE PooRHoUsE
10 an Institution coeval with the capital. We
arc told that while Grabbed old Davy Burns,
the owner Of tho most valuable part OF tho
slto OF Washington city, was laughing with
General Washington over his proportion Of
lots, his neglected and Incorporate brother,
Tommy, was an Inmate Of the poorhousc.
Thus, while the Romulus Of tho place mar
ried his daughter to Congressman, and was
buried In "mausoleum' on Il street, Rcmus
died without the walls and mingled his ashes,
perhaps. with raupcrs. "a
Tho vauntcd metropolis Of the republican
hopes Of mankind, for such was Washington,
tho fabulous city, advertised and praised In
every capital of.Westcrn Europe, drew to Its
site artists, adventurous and spectators from
all lands. From Thomas Law, . secretary Of
Warren Hastings, who wasted the earnings
Of India on enterprises here, to O French
man who died on the gulllotlno for practic.
| ing with an Internal machine upon the life OF
Napoleon Bonapartc, tho long train Of pill
grims came and saw md despalred, 'nnd
many OF them, perhaps, lie In the Potter's
| field. Old books and newspapers, chary on
such personal questions, contain occasional
references as to some sculptor's suicide, or to
the straits Of this or that French officer, or
claimant about Congress; and we know that
Major L'Enfant, who conceived the plan Of
the place, sought refuge with plying friend
and died here pennilcss.
THE FIRST oREAr SCANDAL
against Q public Official was made publ,
i while the capital was pitched n Philadelphia
In l7g7. Its object was no less persouagt
than Alexander Hamilton. One Calleudel
had published a book containing o quantity
/ of correspondence and documents which
seemed to show that Hamilton and ono Rey
nolds had been buying up old claims agains
the United States, and that the latter had re-
eeiyed advances OF money from TIC fornel
to make these purchases. Reynolds and .
man named Clingman, had some time befor,
been prosecuted for perjury, and for seeking
Treasury Of an alleged debt due them frou
the Government. By Hamiltons innuenc'
the comptroller Of the Treasury stopped thu
prosecution. This Reynolds vas the son Of
he and his fascinating wife possessed scenes
to indicate that dark affair was going on
Three members Of Congress who had OK
plored the matter went frankly to Genera
Hamilton and laid the proofs before him ant
required an explanation. This was given
but II was hardly less astounding than ]
Hamilton had been detected In corruption
He confessed to having paid u 900 hush
money to Reynolds, not on account Of any
peculatlou. but to avoid exposure In q yer!
shameless intrigue between Hamilton and thu
wife of Reynolds. Hamilton resolved u
take desperate step and save his officia
lion and hanniness. He putiished certiae,
copies Of the correspondence.
u,.,,,-A. 4. ,u =, ,
claims, of lingerers. Heavens what wor
has that word "CLAIM" become to me sine
have dwelt In Washington! A word full O
dreams ana Jewels, acres OF silks long, ,uNu
rious voyages IN ioreiyn lanas, ahd aausnter
marriea 70 peIpetuai inteiiect. anu yct ~,
WORD tiea Gown 70 M unPaiu tase s,i oii,, Wv
misery Of begging loan; , he wa,tng I9r
cratt, Tue Groom oi 'hIli ian m sehulni
up her account, the ever hali-dresd OF
crushed insurance a n u vsi1n a,Speie'
which alone makes nc ehduraoie. i1,s
me wora oIhlm-a worn potMcen the Sn l,,,
lans Immortal nope ana tue oesyar terrioi
plea
THE ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM.
u,r. ar, IA ON volumes nj bosn,tai reoi.
,ers AZ nO0 bnriaI ,ccords 25o OO6 names a
while and 90 600 NAMES of colored soldier
who died in liza bospItals. Here arc III
names and cases of aid O9T men be,des. al.
CHARGED from tbe army disabled, Here ar
nam,s. and staiemcnts of IA OK wonnde
men brought to the hospital, and the particu
lars Of al lSs Generations performed With III,
knife In ono yearMso methodixed and per
san, ar. ,bo or rc,is and registcrs Collected /,
iSis srs.proof SnildInaE 2ia csses Of men
willows and ornbnns demapding pension
have hs.n set,icd In this edIfce. n Won lool
,hrouvh The lower fioors Won will see a nun
drsd r1erks Searching ont tbere hIstories. Gaia
ingn,nv them si7yinv them. br,nging IN
hlstory Of lie private SOLDIER dow, To- III
reach If the most peremptory curiosity. an,
ass,.t,na - 10 heal In braken.bes rted and ~
Al liberty them that arc bruised"
II ia tbis museum which n Al once tho sad
ds.t memorial OF The common soldier and IN
noblest monument 10 the army surgeon. /
Contains a compiete history Of Inc surgery o
Inc war ii,usirated nv casis modeis. photo
arsnbs cnyravinvs and nreparstions' Timer
ssrs hsr. n}ne hundred medical natbo,ovica
nrena rs,ions. There Ia no simiar army MED
caI cniiec,lor In the world and fro,n paro
Tarrcv down ~ Nsls,on ana Joub.st the mi
NINA rsnnrts n tbis cnliection have IL
iiah,sd apd snrpri.eS The snrans If tho world
sesrcelv 4 heading snrgeon In Ruronc bnt IN
written nraises and seSt them here
The pptomac was nrst crossed in thu rebeI
lion On the NIGHT N NAV m isSi in thre
colnmnsNat ths Csorvetown aouednct' In
Long brIdve and Nv water to EleIandris
The three Columns were Commanded respec
tively nv Major Wood Major Heintzelmau
and Colonel EIlsworth. Tbe first defence
were laid ont by Gen. Mapsaeld and Cant, ii
g. Wright next day at Forts Corcoren, Run