Ellsworth American., 1874-07-23
Correspondence.
Letter from Washington.

Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. July 20
When Columbus sci the egg ou end by break
! ing the shell, he not only astonished the wise
acres who had ciphered out the conclusion that
the thing was impossible, but he also broke the
| thick shell OF prejudice which grows and ag-
grcgates around old methods and ideas. forms
and customs. 10 maintsin them long after their
! original use and virtue has died out. We were
| thinking Of this in connection with General
Grant, who. whatever may be his merits or
1 shortcomings in pariizan view. displays n
streak Of originality not exceeded by the great
| Christopher himself. ltwas an old-iime theory.
strongly intrenched in the sentiments Of the
American people. that the institutions of the
country. and the well being. IL not the safety
Of the people. depend upon having at the seat
of government the official head Of the aiion
with an eagle eve ceaseles>ly on the watch TO
detect the first insdous approach OF danger.
10 guard the temples Of justice to incte the
lazy official Ia actiyitv, and 10 keep things in
orier generally. People verify thought the
Government wheel might stop some day were
tho President absent from the capital any
notion and proved by demonstration that il is
all the same, so far as results are concerned.
whether the government is at Long Branch or
Washington. Now that we are used 10 it,
complaint has ceased almost, and II /, taken a,
a thing of course that the President will avoid
theSleat of Washington if he can An right
We not only get on. but we are freed from the
idea that We couldn't and it Is Just As well.
The fact l., that Mr.. Richardson le, out
little secret when he said that certain papers
werc signed 10y routine" Mr.. Routine l. a
quiet little fellow, not much known. but he
docs an extensive business in Washington. lie
l. the \. I. stewart of politics. lie reads all
the letters. hunts up the authorities. tishc. out
The proodenis. max, the fooi-nptc-. AMI in
nine cases out of ten he practically decide,
what j. To De- done. for the Secretary usually
has before him only wha, Mr.. Routine ha>
prepared. and therefore sees only the ease a,
presented by him. Mr.. Brisiow think, he Will
gei along without Routine. and The announce
meni pseases because the people don't like ihc
little i,low; but Mr.. Bri,iow i mistaken. and
Routine know. it. and laughs Mr.. Rri,iow /,
what Hosea Biclow describes a. a ..drcflr
rad. digest. consider. and answer .oo import
ant letter, in 4 day. and after he ha, spent
some seven hour, upon seven Il the most i'm
portant, ho must cave IN. AMI the odd tis will
then IAN 20 Mr.. Routine. a. Routine j. w,lI
awarr.
The mistake Of Richardson was in confession
Whcn d. gave credit To Routine ami shirked
responsibility. people Jumped 10 the conclusion
That thcrr had been no Secretary Of the Troas-
my which. though not true. came nearer
being than ever before, no doubt. II wa- not
wei 70 ha'" 4 Au.wu that ihr ,rr;ar. doc.
not know All Tide details aud inspire all the
decisions, A. il t,rf, 10 i los, of confidence.
ani IN measure impari, the Icr>onality Of
government but 1t explain, IN par, how the
Government Soc- on when the President and
Cabinet ar away. Mr. Routine !. the chap
who then performs. ami ha. hi. .ay about mat
ter. Mr.. Rouiina j. accused oi being slow,
and Of having invented the plan II how not to
i' H." bu' in the >lnhorn business ;hcr, wa.
no romplain' 4 thi- nature auI Mr.. Foster
ani Mr.. Dave, seemed o. think he wa. .pry
enough ani quite good enough member II the
harry -ui-,pcictt, which hasn't q Larry. m,m-
ter>hip IN thc ci,y Il Washington. according 10
"'iHinon report NJ. Routine WA, the d,ath
"i Richardson A. Secretary. after having been
H. faithful servant - long.
Ih' new Secretary srrm, 20 have abandoned
the syndicate method II placing the loan. .o We
shall sec whether the money Hi,,,. y,,li l.. .il.
to -'pp Investment. unle., they ar. allowed o,
ie'y their 'I.sr shsHf. II will require nerve
and patience TO stand out against the ra-cai..
but a! true patriots viii reioice II thr -harfers
A''i N'''''I~ Al1- qrira4us.
-tft~r al ,l.-
the 5yih of June, it wasn't done. and many
hill- due had 10 20 over, and the claimants
must wait for their money until the next win
ter deficiency bill goes through.