The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-07-24
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., July Goth, 1875.
DEAR WmG:-The Summer hegira has
reached its hight, and Washington is COM
paratively deserted by the devotees of fash
ion; and from all accounts the Summer re-
sorts are in full blast, and gaieties are in
order. With the stay-at-homes. it is
the era of basket pic-nics and short excur-
sions. The young idea, and, in fact, the
old one too, shoots out on it's morning
spree at nine o'clock, and returns when the
shades of evening are falling, much exhil
arated and not wholly demoralized by the
days doings. 1t cheers, without inebriat-
ing, does this excursion business, and per-
mits one to take their Summer vacation on
the installment plan. Outside of the afore-
said pic-nics and excursions, it is extremely
dull and monotonous at present.
1t is significant fact, and one very much
regretted by a great many patrons of the
lecture, musical and dramatic troupes, &c,
that there has been nothing out of the
usual routine in the way of amusement to
diversity the monotony of the excessively
hot nights which prevail to an alarming
extent, particularly indoors. Out of the
few strolling lecturers or players who may
perhaps still lipger con the road" in an
ticipation of reimbursing themselves with
a sufficient surplus of cash to reach their
homes, there to await the opening of the
Fall season, not one of them has looked in
upon us. The nations Capital, it appears,
is classified by managers Of musical and
dramatic troupes as being at best but an
Indifferent "show town. and this, it
seems, is why we are let severely alone.
THE HEATED TERM.
The heated term has been as sensibly
felt here, and has produced as many of the
consequent effects as perhaps elsewhere in
the country, but Washington is certainly
long way ahead of any Of our cities, for
the time being, in the number of marriage
licenses issued, and the number of divorces
granted. In regard to the latter, our Dis
trict is beginning to get as unfavorable
reputation as once belonged to Indiana.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
Whether from the effects of the heated
term or not l am unable to say, but our
famous Institute is having hard time of
it. 1t has not been overfortunate in select
ing its dignitaries. They are now at log
gerheads with each other, and are engaged
in writing letters to the New York Post,
each endeavoring to prove the other the
greater rascal. The Freedman's Savings
and Trust Company was an offshoot of this
concern. In California parlance neither
concern PANIED out well;' one has ''gone
up the flume," and the other is expected to
follow suit shortly.
OUR WATER SUPPLY.
We are also having a lively time as to
the filtration or non filtration of the Poto-
mac water, which has kicked up great
fuss among our District scientists, and they
are jawing at each other in the liveliest
manner, while they hold up in either hand
ponderous tones in relation to the water
supply of London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna,
and other European cities, and comment
upon them. Other cities of the country
may well fear a water famine, but the
broad Potomac that laves the base of our
city need afford no such apprehension
What is needed is little less scientific dis
cussion and more common sense in the man
agement of the reservoirs.
TAXES.
People cry out against our high taxes,
and there may be some reason for it; but
for all that, the improvements in real es-
tate now going on in every section of the
city prove conclusively that if we are ruin
cd, as croakers claim, there is little
money yet hid away in the stocking. AS
an increase to the manufacturing establish
ments here, a few days since, the Messrs
Smith & Stone, of Elmira, N. Y, purchas-
cd large tract of ground and wharf pro-
pcrty, and have already commenced the
erection of an extensive saw mill and lum-
bering establishment, with capacity of
co. 900 feet of lumber per day, and the en-
ployment of about fifty hands. This shows
that capitalists from abroad have faith in
the future of the city. J. II. p.
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