Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-04-09
Correspondence OF the Hsraldl
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
Irems-visitiBg the Capitol-Ftnance and
Cheap OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Wis.
cousin Delegation in 4 ongFess.
WASHINGTON, April 8, 1874.

III Ike d idmu, Wcus Vus WIN - 'O1o
ing snow, the heavy flakes of which
fell on green pastures, blooming flower
plats, and the pink blossoms OF the
peach trees which are the glory of the
hills of the District and of Maryland.
Lent, so generally observed by the
religious orders of this city, put an
almost entire quietus on the follies of
fashionable life, and one might almost
conclude that our humanity had re-
pented, and resolved on some form of
rational enjoyment but it is promised
that the gay season will be entered
upon so soon as "Passion week is
ended, and then there are to be ma.
merous marriages in high life, the most
talked about of which is that of Miss
Nellie Grant to her English fiancee.
This will be the second marriage in
the White House.
President Grant has purchased
beautiful grounds in the city on which
he will build dwelling intending to
make this his permanent residence,
| and he is also negotiating, for farm,
| which facts vii no doubt furnish Mr..
Dana, of the New York Sun, sensa
tional matter for the coming season.
The Investigations mentioned in our
last are still in progress. but the little
"African in the fence" which it was
thought would be so easy to find, has
not been discovered yet, and the Dis
trict malcontents, especially, are very
far from being happy over their pros
poets.
Our infirmities have so far yielded
to skillful treatment that we have been
permitted to look in upon both Houses
of Congress, and upon the faces OF
such men as Howe, Morton, Sherman,
Conkling, Hamlin, Butler, Brownlow,
Stephens, and hundred others whose
| names have become familiar as house
hold words; and as we have done so,
have wondered why Western men of
intelligence, means and public spirit,
do not oftener visit this city, and
familiarize themselves with their pub
lie servants, with the machinery of
legislation, and the manipulations of
politicians and lobbyists. We do not
know of any other outlay of months
time or a hundred dollars in cash that
would do so much for the education
of an observing and thinking man, as
to spend them here during q session
of Congress, in which body is sup
posed to be some Of the best talent of
the Nation. Here are stored its valu.
able archives, here found its most
prominent public men and institutions,
and thousand objects of interest to
every patriot and philanthropist. We
have in mind now q score OF Grant
county farmers whom we feel tempted
to name and invite them here.
The House at last has taken action
on the financial question, fixing the
legal tender issue at 100000, 900.
This will not fully satisfy those who
favored imitation, although claimed as
a victory by them, as the increase in
currency under this act has not been
greater than has that of production
and population. The Senate hangs
fire on this bill, and its fate seems I'M
certain, as there are so many pet tinan-
cial schemes in that body. The House
bill would probably be as acceptable
to the people as any one likely to be
presented, and should it at last receive
the Senatorial sanction, as we predict
it will, it would impart confidence to
the country, revive manufactures and
trade, strengthen the dropping faith
of the laborer and farmer, and inspire
healthier tone and condition Of
affairs generally.
The House passed the Cheap Trans
portation bill of Mr.. McCrary, Of Iowa,
by a vote of l2l to lis. This pro-
vides for commissioners who shall
have power to fix rates of charges Tor
freight and passengers on all railways,
which rates shall not unjustly Cypress
the producer or discriminate agelnst
railway corporations. A long strug-
gle was had over this bill, and it is
significant fact to which we wish to
call the attention of Wisconsin
Changers, that the Democracy op-
posed it almost in solid body, while
Republicans almost unanimously sup
ported it. The Democracy found the
Constitution sanctioning the monopo
list as it did the stakeholder when
they interpreted it, and their action
has only furnished another chapter in
the history of party which was
always on the side of the opprcssor,
and whose instincts ana aims are no
nobler and purer now than in the past.
Economy is the supreme idea in
Congress now, and the effect OF this
is seen in almost all appropriation bills.
The estimates for current expenses in
various departments of the public
service have been cut down largely
Offices have been abolished, and hun
dreds of Government employees have
been discharged, and the most meri-
torious measures now coming before
Congress which involve the expendi-
ture of an additional dollar are knocked
in the head and put in their little
graves. Pity the economical reign
had not commenced some years ago.
The Wisconsin delegation in Con-
gress enjoys an enviaOle reputation,
not so much for oratorical display
(althOugh not behind other States in
this respect) as for being watchful
guardians of the in erests of their con-
stituents. Mr.. Carpenter, acting Vice
President. is a irst.clsss presiding