Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-05-06
LETTER FROM WASHING TON.
WASHINGTON, Nav 2nj. ia

This city is uncommonly dull for this sea.
son OF the year, owing principally to the fact
that Congress, the President and part of the
Cabinet are absent There is another thing
also which makes the dizziness more apparent,
and that is the suspension of work on the
streets. For the last two years at this time
the highways and byways were filled with
men and boys, horses and carts, tearing up
and tearing down the streets, grading, paving
parking, sewering, &c. Now very little COM
paratively is being done in this line, although
if we had not been accustomed to see for two
seasons so much enterprise in street improve
ment we should say that for Washington it
was very good. CAS- soon, however, as the
money market gets easy" say the magnates
of the District, I'VE shall sell our bonds and
go to work in earnest
With the dissolution OF the old Civil Ser
vice Advisory Board comes dissolution of
the old method OF filing clerkships. The
distinguishing feature of the plan which has
thus far been tried-compettive examination
will undoubtedly be greatly modified and
the mechanical rieidity of the mac hine will
give way to plan that will be adaptable to
the wants of the service. Civil service is no
to be Observation-Disclosures to the perseverance
of the President-but improved by doing away
with its Objectionable features. Fitness or
adaptation TO the places to be filled will prob
ably be one of the leading features of the new
system. The present system has many seri-
Gus defects-one of which is that District of
Columbia people have under it a tremendous
advantage over those from distant States who
cannot afford to waste time and money in
coming here on great an uncertainty.
There are now about five hundred clerks
from this district in the Treasury Department
alone. According to population it is entitled
to but seven.
The Modoc War is yet the principal topic
of discussion. a gentlemen who is well ac-
quainteI with these lava beds, which are not
| confined to the scene of the present disturb
ance but are a distinguishing feature of the
ground in Northern California, gave us to- day
an explanation Of the situation more satsfac-
tory than any we had seen or heard He says
that in the meadows scattered thickly among
these rocks grows very abundantly the Cam
mas plant, the root of which possesses highly
nutritious and stimulating properties This
is so plenty that large army could subsist
upon it for months. species of very large
rabbit, called "Jackass" because of their
enormously long ears, abound all over Cali
! fornia, and together with LIZARDS beetles and
other wild animals furnish animal food in
considerable abundance. With these means
of living at their command the Modocs cannot
be starved out.
SO far water is concerned they are
equally well off. During the rainy season
great quantities of it accumulated in the caves
formed by the scoria or lava rock and as the
rock is water tight it remains there hid away
under ground Should this supply fail, by
digging in the ground from five to ten feet,
water can be found in abundance. So their
water supply cannot be cut off.
They keep scouts posted on high points
constantly to warn the band of danger. I'll
the force advancing against them is small they
will surround it and pick off its members from
behind their rocky Businesses as they recently
did. If the force is large they will scatter
and disappear prairie dogs do at the crack
of rifle; and when thus hid away they can.
not be found. Even the very small children
are taught to hide away and give no sign of
their existence though heel should bruise
their little bodies. Therefore they cannot be |
exterminated by regular troops within any
reasonable length of time. Some say the |
government should offer a liberal reward for
each Modoc scalp. This would no doubt be
the speediest way but of course the govern
ment could hardly do that. If they did the
hunters and friendly Indians would make
short work of the Modocs.
The greatest mystery seems to be how they |
manage to supply themselves with Spencer re-
peating rifles and ammunition 1t would |
seem as though there must be some treachery
among the white traders, or that the Modocs
have been preparing for this state of affairs
for a long time.
But enough for the present,
"CHANNINC."