The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-06
Letter from Washington.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. q 1874.
Washington is comparatively quiet during
the holiday week. members and lobbyists
having deserted the Capital for the more con-
genial atmosphere Ct their own homes, or
the balmy orange blossomed regions of fair
Florida. There mary strangers here too;
nearly all tn Sc whose lines are cast in the
hustle and excitement of the mercantile
world can only hurredly tear themselves
from the dull routine of ledgers and yard
sticks during the time that marks the last
days of the year, and hosts of this class gen.
orally make pilgrimage to the shrine of the
Great Nation; but the inspiring spectacle OF
session of Congress has been denied them
this winter The long recess has much to
answer for besides the financial distress and
oppression that was left unIemedied notwith-
standing the appealing cry of a whole nation.
Many youth who now beholds the chiseled
columns and the noble dome 1--WE say nothing
about the indescribable halfbreed o. top) OF
the Capitol for the first time, and the gray
haired veteran of the daybook aud ledger,
whose long years of devoted service have al
towards the Legislative Halls OF his Country,
utter an oath or groan Of disappointment
as they look upon the empty and silent cham
bers where they fondy hoped to see the con-
centrated intelligence of the United States
and Ben Bhtle'. Society in Washington,
Notwithstanding the accusation of exclusive
ness and tendency to ape the Court Circles
of Europe, is really very democratic The
only requirements are responsibility and
dress coat. There are certain CONVENTIONAL
ties to be observed, Vide Mrs. Dahlgren re-
cent acor1 on Washington etiQuette) but they
are no different from what govern god society
in Portland or elsewhere. with this exception
perhaps: here, ''color, race,or previous cOndi
tIop of Sc: vitude' does not enter into the ques-
ton of responsibility. Old Slip-in-the-mud,
so long as be is 'Big injun," or Mr.. Broken
back (Llack as graphi.e) it he is Senator
from Louisiana are equally admi:ted-the
standard is dollars. ana office. Several earn
est, honest members of Congress, who really
have the nte rest of the country and their
constituents at bealt remain in Washington
during the recess, and have studiously applied
themselves to matters which have been Iefer
re.l to tb, m as sub committees from the Iegu-
lar committees, and when Congress meets
will have great deal OF important business
ready for the immediate consideration of the
Sen.te and House. Probably the Bankrupt
Law will take up much time. The bill sent to
the Senate from the House has its objections,
and there will be cohsld. liable discussion e.
fore anything definite is arrived az. The
West is almost unit for the absolute I6peal
| of the law, while the East demands modifi-
cation OF the law only; tut that it will be alb
| solutely repealed is doubtful. General How
ard case will cause some little interest here;
a Court of Inquiry will be instituted, an im-
mense expense incurred, and the moral of one
| OF Esop's fables be the result, Pdrtariunt
| montes nascetur ridiculus mus" Afer tue
whole investigation is flushed, and j. the
! truth shall hare been ariced at, II viii be
| found that Gen. Howard is the victim OF a
} petty Jealousy, and personal spite.