The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-07-18
WASHINGTON, July 18th 1873.

NAohAANNAbNt pNy ANeAA iS'Ns
As several weeks have passed since last
wrote, hardly know where to begin, so
many subjects occupying public attention
just now.
Let me see; meteorological remarks are
always in order, | believe; so I'll begin
by praising the weather, which is simply
lovely. A day now and then has remind
Ell US that Old Sol can cast burning
glanees as ever, but in those few excep-
tons the season, 80 far, has been most en-
joyable, and we,who belong to the stay-at-
home brigade, feel very well satisfied with
our city comforts, and are not half in ear
nest when singing, Flee as a bird TO your
mountain.
River excursions, pic-nics, flying trips
into the country, and boating parties are,
as usual about this time, the order of the
day and to furnish material for CONVEX
sation which will at the same time develop
that sweet charity for the short comings of
others, for which the human family is so
remarkable, several enterprising persons
have been oblging enough to elope in the
most approved fashion and one, clerk
in the Post Office, has even attained the
proud eminence Of being the much mar
ried hero of bigamy case.
But the most interesting topic after all is
the libel suit, brought by A. r. Shepherd,
Vice President Of the Board Of Public
Works, AGAINST the N. Y. Sun. That lively
paper charged said Board with all sorts of
irregularities, which, the Boards other
name being A. K. Shepherd, ruffied that
gentleman's temper and caused the suit.
Speculation is rife concerning the termina-
ton of it, many predicting that, If the
case is tried here, the jury will be after
the Boards own heart, while others assert
that the evidence to be produced by the
SIN is Of such a nature that a healthy
discretion should have induced the Board
to refrain from blowing the spark into a
singing fire.
That the city has been deeply plunged
into debt, and that many men who, before
they embarked in the improvement enter
prise, were not worth hundred dollars
are now in possession Of handsome fortunes
as also that numbers Of hard working
people have been improved" out Of Their
homes, while the whole local press is in some
shape or other under control Of the Board
and will not publish line except it be in
its interest, are facts not to be denied but
as success no matter how attained, is the
criterion by which the present age judges
a man. and the example Of get all you
can is set by those occupying the highest
positions, it is hardly worth one s while to
waste breath or ink in oensuring those who
only initiate their superiors
Mr.. Shepherd, being the ruling spirit Of
the Board, is naturally of most interest
and, moralize as will, / cannot help al.
miring the man who has through sheer.
will-power carried everything before him
In appearance he is a true Saxon, fair,
blue-eyed and muscular; with face
whose chief charm is the seal Of strength
so Enthusiastically impressed upon it, but
which can express infinite interest aud
compassion when his feelings are enlisted
in that direction. Should he resign the
reins, they may fall into weaker bat hard
ly into more capable hands, that fact even
his enemies concede.
The investigation mania has even ev-
tended 70 the sanity o. o. Howard, who,
as | told you before, is Brig. Gen, Pres's
of Howard University, extempore preacher,
Indian exhibitor, and in fact whole Y.
NJ. G. A. in himself, all Of which did not
protect him from being accused Of financial
irregularities, however. A tolerably thick
coat Of whitewash was applied, and yet
the people are not happy but will insist
upon chasing him with the Credit Mobilier
and back salary gang.
Last, not least, in our local disturbances
is a renewed effort on the part of some
colored people to force the issue of mixed
schools consequences Of Charles Sumner
one idea doctrines, every bit Gift Should
they succeed, then goodbye common
schools. Even the most intolerate negro
lover is not willing to send his children to
mixed school, and Mr.. Sumner, neither
having, or ever likely to have, a family Of
his own, is hardly safe guide or true
prophet under the circumstances. Seems
to me there ought to be another amend,
ment tackled to the constitution which
would preclude men who have no living
interest n the future from occupying the
law. makgr's seat. ~. ---'...''.
But this letter Of mine is getting too long
sazfes e0mfCrt-farewell. IL Nam