The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-08-11
FROM WASHINGTON.

fd,:,- u IKE Reg.sto
ASH am one OF the "stay at home
this summer, and shall not therefore,
sniff the cool breezes of my native state
as have usually done, l have conclud-
Cd to extend the "how do you do to
nv friends in the form of letter, which
| will follow up in week or two with
another that shall be devoted to his
tory of the great changes wrought in
this District under the guidance and
Inspiration of the much abused Hon.
A. r. Sheperd. In the interim of the
sessions of Congress- and especially in
The present month Washington may
well be compared to some banquet
hall deserted" Long Branch, Cape
May, Newport, Saratoga, Rye Beach.
and other northern watering places,
with multitude of resorts in Virginia
and on the banks of the lower Potomac,
take away from the city a great num-
Der of its population, and the promen-
AIDE concerts of the Marine Band in the
Capital grounds and a t the Presidents
mansion twice week, and executed
principally for the benefit of the "poor
Sleyks' with their wives and babies or
their sweethearts. My late dear friend,
Hon. Dugald Stewart, used to go with
me TO hear these concerts when his
business called him TO Washington and
!, Il a Of
music, | was always more than delight
ed by his conversation and criticisms,
but of late years / rarely listen to the
efforts of the "red coated" government
band. There is one thing that recon-
Giles the "stay at home" man or wom-
an during the summer here, and that
is the splendid fruits we get which are
some two months in advance of Yer
mont markets. We are enjoying now
delicious peaches, tomatoes, melons
and new potatoes, which we have had
for some time. being shipped here ear
ly from the Bermuda Islands and the
southern coast Of the Atlantic.
The approaching Congressional con-
ventions in your state, excite much in
terest to Nermonters here, and the
impression that the present delegation
cannot be greatly improved by a change
appears to be generally prevalent. Yer
mont has long been accustomed to re-
peat the terms of her public servants in
Congress when she has found them
true ana faithful to their positions. In
decd ii has come to be q standing COM
pliment that the delegation here are
equaled by few and excelled by none
in purity of character. efficiency in
legislation, and influence with the pub
lie bodies with which they are connect
ed. Senator George +. Edmunds stands
in the front ranks with Conkling, Ere
linghuysen, Judge Thurman and Judge
Howe, es the rare legal talent of the
Senate, while Senator Morrill, has no
superior as clear thinker, forcible
speaker and an indefatigable worker in
committee rooms where legislation is
'oncocted and devised. In the House.
Judge Poland has the palm yielded to
him by his colleagues fer dignity OF
manner. truthfulness of public purpose
and labor, and vast influence with those
lie is brought in contact with.
Gov. Hendee made a very favorable
impression here last winter, but did
not speak often as is the case with those
hliing their first term of Office.
OF course the constituency of the lst
District are men particularly interested
in the labors and general character of
their representation, and while / know
that there are other very able and good
men In the District, who would reflect
upon the state and themselves credit in
Congress. l am free to say that your
present incumbent, the Hon. G.. w.
Willard, can point TO as fine record
in all the avenues ofhls public life here
as any member of the lower House.
Being myself entitled to a seat in the
reporters gallery by the courtesy OF
Speaker Blaine, 1 have an opportunity
OF watching and judging of the
servants of the people" that many dc
not enjoy, and having no axes TO grind
and being no partisan of men, l feel
permitted to write as / do in justice and
fairness TO dictate. Mr.. Willard has
made his mark here, and made il by
that strict observance of his position
and its duties, that puts to shame many
man about him who gets his name
into public print by some trick of leg
islation, or clap-trap of speech.
May / quote here the winding VI
words of an old ditty l used TO hun
over.
when you get good thing,
Keep it, keep it,
When you get good thing,
Keep it,"
think Mr.. Willard is good thin,
L. 4 l. l. -