Omaha daily bee., 1874-05-13

WASHINGTON, May s, "a.
In Washington at last. The great
centre and fountain head Of Repub-
licanism, the capital of America,
and lastly a fossilized old burg.
Here 1t was that the eloquence of
Statesmen Pin days past electrified
the Nation. Here it was that the
cutting sarcasms of a Calhoun and
Clay clashed upon the public ear.
Here it is that the dwelling sophis-
try of the present hour betrays the
downfall of Craftsmanship i'm our
country. To attempt in a news
paper article to give anything like
a clear conception of men and
things i'm this the most important
city on our continent, would be
puerlle and time misspent. To treat
of the issues before the people with
a facile pen is all that can be at
tempted with any show of intelligi-
bility.
Suffice it to say Of the city of
Washington that by general accord
it is considered the dullest, most
lethargic city in the Union outside
Of governmental surroundings and
support. The large number of de-
partment employees amounting to
S,OO0Or 10000 in number give a quasi
air of activity, but the old resident
and business element of the town is
literally buried in the ashes of its
own follies. The magnificence Of
the public buildings, and the lavish
expenditure of public monies i'm dec
Grating the same, must be seen to
be appreciated. At some future
time i will endeavOr to give a few
of the main features of interest. In
this short letter, / must deal with
items of most importance to Ne
braska men, and of local interest.
Domiciled at the National Hotel;
upon my arrival, / soon found fel
low pilgrims, in the parsonage of
Representative grounse, petite wife
and interesting family. Also, Hon.
John Taffe, who is here / suppose to
zee show the old thing works." or
possibly, 70 work some e thing
.hrough1the congressional sieve. At
my rate, he is a dispenser of conso-
alton to parties pushing some meas
Ire through Congress, and no one
Knows better how il its done.
In company with Senator Hitch
ock, We visited the treasury de-
'artment, and We're initiated into
many of its mysteries. Here is re- {,
al magnificence, lavishness of the 4,
eedful in all phases, not excepting
ne poetry Of motion, female lowell +,
ess and so forth. {
The more we see of them the bet
n we shall like them, consequently I
e will be better prepared to eluci-
ate this matter at some future time. 4
listing the Senator at his room, v
e found him located about a stones
ROW from the Treasury, with nice i,
communications, but overwhelmed !.
it'll documents, legislative papers, II
,oks, etc, full Of business and u
ard at work. We understand he Z
IS unearthed a voluminous amount y
matter concerning the Union Pa II
fc road and bridge business, from IL
e records of the Congressional Ii II
airy, and when the time comes. II
III be prepared to enter the contest II
til the Iowa disaffectionists, armed ~
p a pie, and give them a tussle on y
e bridge business that will make p
Don Lake bilious to the bottom. II
In my next l will'givs the readers ST
the BEE several items of impor- "
nee to Nebraska interests which lie
We not had an opportunity of
ting at in time for this letter. 1 il
We no doubt the many friends of tn
o. West, of Lincoln, will be be
,ased TO know he is i'm Washing la,
\, enjoying good health, biting sh
} finger nails, and doing the fol
lrteous to Nebraskians. Your ne
is under obligations tai
him for uniform Kindness in in
hitting out and explaining objects he
interest. i'STYNGAN.u oh