Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-07-10
Our Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON d. G., July 3, 1874.
They are off-thc big bugs-and
we shall see them no more for some
time. The members of Congress skc-
daddled very much in the same way
as any vulgar crowd-in great hur-
ry, and some without paying their
small bills. They could hardly be
expected to do that, it is SO difficult
for truly great minds to get down to
small things-but particulars hereaf-
ter, in few cases we wot of. The
President took Grceley's advice and
went to West Virginia. Sir Edward
Thornton left for Europe, with his
benignant, honest face, which maketh
him friends at first sight. A royal
man is Sir Edward, and fine house
his government is erecting at the p
street circle, opposite Senator Stew
art's-the grandest house in the city
and long may Thornton live in it
and enjoy it. Fish is away to the
Hudson's lonely banks; Delano to
Mount Vernon, Ohio; Robson to
Rye Beach; Douglass to Pennsylva-
MIA. Richardson and Cresswell have
gone to Coventry, where vacations
are deal longer than they are at
Long Branch, but not usually quite
so much coveted. Mr.. and Mrs.
Williams are not travelling so much
as they were, and will remain, as their
landaulct won't run in the absence of
an appropriation. Mr. Bristow being
new to the Treasury, must stay and
learn the ropes. ''Gath" and other
correspondents tell in advance what
he is going to find, and are ready to
furnish him with a full supply ofwis-
dom in case his own gives out, which,
from the numerous hints they volun-
teer to him, there would seem to be
on their part some apprehension.
The city government, Board of
Public Works, and all their belong
ings, are also off-cut off, like the
dogs tail, close behind the ears; and
with their taking off, the jolly con-
tractor finds his occupation gone, and
gone forever, so he's off. We have
no mayor, no aldermen, no governor,
and no dignitalies but the jailor,
chief of police, and the Justices of the
courts, all very well in their way,
perhaps, but a great lct-down from
what we have been enjoying forsomc
months, with President, Congress,
and foreign Legations, and host Of
investigating committees to take care
of our interests and keep up the tone
Of society. We shan't have much
high life for some months, but the
taxes are to be high enough in all
conscience to make up for all losses
of other high things. Three per
cent. to be levied and paid in Septem-
Der, besides arrears and Improvement
levies, which will amount to as much
more. They call the climate hot in
September, but the members of Con
gress who have voted this tax will
find u full warm enough for ordinary
constitutions next December. Taxes
six per cent, and one-fourth of the
clerks voted out of office, and who
won't have moneu enough to pay
their rents on leaving.
When Cakes Ames gave his testi-
mony in regard to the subscribers to
Credit Mobiler who were sick, he
said they called it "off,," and how
much went off then and since! Alas,
many fine regulations, as we'll as
trades. Our District government got
off, but there was no salute, and the
Boss was not serenaded. "Not a
drum was heard, nor funeral note"
Some of the members Of the Assem-
bly, tried at the last moment to steal
the furniture of the Legislative hall,
showing that they were rulers with
the ruling passion, said by Pope to
be "strong in death" and SO proved
in their expiring struggles. What
was not stolen was attached by the
dealer who furnished it, as it had new
or been paid for, and yet some men,