National Republican., 1873-01-04
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Seeing U,m..,r n, Other. Ne. Him

Seeing Himself as Others See Him.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN; "DlOnys slus," seen In the
glass and through the spectacles OF his asso-
ciates, presents widely differing Appearances
Seeing himself through The Critic he looks like
this:
"Mr. SWank was hard worker, as the records OF
his Oflse prove, and during his chief cerkship con-
ributed largely to the various publications which
have been issued, and which have made the Agr-
cultural department so popular with the farmers
| OF the country. lie was an efficient and con-
zcentlous officer and his services will he greatly
missed, as his reslgnation was greatly regretted
,hs a sl ~ amen NM sP9yees % IS Q. INC depaI'ment
worker, mAnifestinR activity without aim, zeal
without knowledge, and industry without discre-
ton. lie was an sod fields@ school teacher,
with an itching for newspaper scribbhng his
stock OF learning small and superficial; his vanity
| and assumption unlimited; both exhibited con-
stantly with airs OF pedagogical dOgmatism
and arrogance. His contributions TO ''publica-
tions," ETC., include an absurd reference TO a
"I5 pound fleece" and other similar exhibitions
Of ignorance; after which his services as con-
tnbutor 10 Department reports were dispensed
with. The sluns Of agricultural editors, the
| curses OF Congressman. the contempt OF visiting
strangers for superclllous behavior In once az
| test his popularity" the peculiar aroma OF
which he has attached to the Department TO a
| degree very Objectionable 10 those whose con-
nection with it renders them liable to be COM
Sturdy farmers, men Of intelligence and local
| prominence were wont to 20 from his august
presence smartlng from unnecessary insult, and
saying: 81 don't want to create excitement In
otiicial circles, but II were at home would take
that little fellow across my knee" not knowing
| that he kept two amateur policemen for pur-
poses o. intimidation; IL universally con-
ceded that such discipline would have been In
the highest degree appropriate. As TO the re-
grets OF his associates at his departure there are
two or three who have received place and power,
| and one or two OF his creatures always ready 70
do his dirty bidding, who may regret his absence
but nine out OF ten feel and express a sense OF
relief from the presence Of vanity, petty tyranny,
| self-seeklnR and mendacty which have almost
| made the Department bye-wOrd. lie was by
| no means terror TO any except the dependent
the temporary employee, the seed-room boy, or
the poor girl that trembled before him or burst
Into tears at his Abusiyeness. His airs and
weaknesses excited only the contempt Of all the
manly among his fenOw-clerks, and fortunately
he had no real power over any Of the more
prominent divisions OF the Department. Long
since all anger Aubslded into pity or contempt
and they only feel the spirit OF Uncle Tobey,
CWB
Powell's Picture Of Perry's Victory.
My heart was refreshed, Mr.. Editor, by see
| ing In your issue Of this morning a few llnes
pointed, canstc and truthful, In reference to this
most abomlnable frand. The last that was heard
Of this painter and his "plcInre" was to the effect
that II was almost finished, CGOd forbid D and
that he having refused TO nnlsh It unless
further appropriation was made, (some twelve
or fifteen thousand dollars have already been
advanced TO him. II had been seized by duly
authorized parties, and that Il was now safely
deposited In the crypta OF the Capitol There was
some comfort In this 10 all lovers OF art namely,
the hope that II would never see the light and
| that We should be spared the humiliation OF an
other such abortion as the DE Soto picture which
| tn0w dlsgraces the walls OF the RotundO. know
Is OF little use TO "kick against the pricka and Mr.
| Powell, from his former experience, undoubtedly
| knows how 10 engineer another bill through Con-
gress by which they, under the pretence OF foa-
tering Art, Will give TO this charlatAn thousands
| of dollars OF the peoples money In happy uncon-
sciousness that they are simply paying Tor what
| only exposes our ignorance, and can only be q
humllatlng witness against uH.
don't know hr. Powell by sight; have never
| spoken 10 him. ] am not an artist, and have
therefore no professional Jealousy; but I do
protest. In the name OF common decency, ERaInsl
hanging any more Of his pictures In our public
hall AtleaAt nntll the removal OF the 'De SOto.'
The "Perryh Victory" can't be worse. II may,
| perhaps, be suggested that should not speak Ia
this decided tone until had seen the picture
! have not. hope never shall but III DO,
feel conviction that shall like the critics that
visited ATtemaA Wards great panorama, declare
| that have never seen anything Ike II before
and deyOutly hoped never should again,
The plain truth In this; Mr. Powell Il mot, AMI
never has been, considered even q EecOnd-rat
artist by those who are competent 10 Judge, He
managed by l0g-rolling Ia get continuation to
| paint the "pe Soto" picture, for which he was
| paid thousands Of dOllars--hOw many "A not now
lnportaAt, The picture Ipsy be latrlnAloally