The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-05-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WARRINGTON, d. C., May II, 1873.
EDITOR CHIEF:
This certainly is the drollest spring
in Washington that has been expe-
rienced in ten years, and probably
ever before-the coolest weather and
the hottest, at one time the mercury
rising to eighty degrees-another
with snow, hail, cold rains and thun-
der showers. On the whole it may
be properly denominated the cold soet
spring of the age. The creeks around
Washington, and especially the Tiber
creek running through the city, are
full to the brim, and had it not cleared
off this morning, no one could sur
mise what would have been the dam
ages from food. The drainage OF
the city is not by any means perfect,
notwithstanding hundreds of thous-
ands of dollars have been spent dur
ing the past two years for it.
It is estimated that not less than
5000 persons between the hours of l
and 4 o'clock, visited the Supreme
Court rooms to view the remains of
Chief Justice Chase, and it was re-
GREETED by all that they could not be
seen, owing to failure made by a
New York embalmer in applying q
new process. There is general ex-
preston Of sorrow at the loss of SO
great a man as Mr.. Chase. His ac-
quaintances here are numerous and all
have admired him as statesman, a
scholar and good citizen. From the
Oldest to the youngest our people are
accustomed to seeing him on the streets
almost daily. Notwithstanding the
noticeable fact that he has been rap
idly declining in health for the past
three years, he has made it a practice
to take great deal Of outdoor exer-
else, principally in walking.
The most important topic Of inter-
est now talked Of here among our
leading men is the appointment Of a
Chief Justice to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Mr.. Chase.
The names of Judge Edw. Pierrepont
and Hon. Roscoe Conkling Of New
York are most prominent. Mentally
and physically these gentleman have
about equal claims. Others may be
as profound lawyers, and among them
is Evarts, but none have greater
claims upon the administration than
the two first named, while ut the same
time holding so prominently the eye
of the whole country. Probable Ion
gevity of the appointee is surely not
one of the points least to be consid-
cred. Men such as Pierrepont OF
Conkling, young in years yet old in
the learning of our jurisprudence, are
better fitted for the place than one,
however able, already in the decline
of life, who, before fairly becoming
known to fame as a national jurist
must naturally begin to fail in energy
and the other elements of complete
fitness for so exalted a place. Sena.
tor Conkling could be lily spared
from the Senate, where he must, fol
the next six years, shine as a bright
particular star of the national legisla.
ture. For some years past he has
been withdrawn mainly from active
practice in the courts, while Judge
Pierrepont has continued prominently
and actively before the bar of the
State courts, and has practiced con-
tinually before that bench on which
the wishes of his many friends would
place him, and to which he would
bring the richest adornments Of
mind and heart. In doing honor te
himself, he would reflect the highest
honor upon the place, which next tt
the Presidency, is the most exalted ir
the gift of the nation. As a lawyer
jurist and brilliant man of the world
Judge Pierrepont has few equals and
no superiors.
The return of the President, Friday
although expected, is creating con,
siderable commotion. Already it i!
observed that several politicians from
different places have arrived in town