The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-02-03
DUB WASHINGTON LETTER.
Prom an Occasional Correspondent.

DUB WASHlNGION LEIIEh.
From an Occasional Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 2sth, 1876.
1t may be said that the annually recurring
gay season is now upon Washington.
Strangers from all parts Of the country are
here, drawn some for pleasure, some for in.
terest of one kind and some for another.
This influx Of women, men and money
makes things lively, and the store-keepers,
dress-makers, milliners, hotel and boarding
house keepers, and venders Of all commodi-
ties reap their annual harvest. 1t is not
alone the political centre, it is also fast be-
coming the fashionable point of the country,
and the exhibition Of fashion, taste and eti-
que.te of Washington will soon be as con-
trolling in this country as those Of Paris are
in France. AS place of residence, those
who desire to, shine in social life can. find
here the cream. of society from. European
nobility among foreign ministers, and the
nobility Of Americas sons and fair daugh-
ters, who, like the genuine diamond, can be
distinguished from the glitter of the spurious.
The city is remarkably healthy, its streets
are broad, well paved and clean. It is light
ed throughout with gas, while the vigilant
police endeavor to give security to Life and
property. The public buildings are very at
tractive, exciting the admiration not only of
our own citizens but also that of distinguish
ed strangers from the capitals of the Old
World. ''''f '
Many persons question the taste of their
elaborate adornment. This is especially said
of the Capitol. But it must be remembered
this is new country, having many brilliant
incidents to record in its brief history, both
upon land and sea; and it may be pardoned
for perpetuating these things in fresco and
in marble on the walls, rooms and corridors
of its great political structure. The Post
Office is classic in beauty Of design and pro-
portion; the Patent-ofice plain, simple,
massive as its Roman model; the Treasury
extension is not much to boast of except the
South wing, while the centre, from its nu-
merous columns, looks like a row of bricks
on end, and the North wing is half buried be-
low the level of the Avenue, so that one
might almost step into its upper story from
the pavement. The State, War and Navy
Departments (all to be one building) are
Light and airy as Aladdin's palace, but sur
mounted by the inevitable Mansard Of Null
let, style of oftop-hamper antiquated even in
France, its birthplace, but galvanized on
these shores. The same unsightly roof is
piled upon hundreds of the modern private
residences, their material being so light and
infiammable that fire would soon demolish
them to danger of life and destruction of
property. The policy of European nations
building ambassadorial residences here may
introduce better taste in our building archi-
lecture, as they cling to the plain, substantial
and useful more than the gaudy and orna-
mental, reserving such display for furniture
and interior work. This is illustrated in
that built recently for the British legation.
II is said to contain forty rooms, and yet the
outside observer would hardly reckon the
number at twenty. The exterior is plain,
well.laid red brick. .. 9.
It was the intention of the founders of this
city to locate here great National Unirersi-
ty. Washington participated in this wish,
and o square Of ground in the original plan
was reserved for the purpose. Why it was
not carried out do not know. Instead,
however, we have three Universities
Georgetown, Columbian and Howard-each
having their supporters. Besides these eau-
cational facilities we have two Medical Col
leges, three Law Schools, Hospitals, Indus
trial Schools and most useful system of
public schools, houses of reformation and
correction. The educational advantages of
Washington play no small part in drawing
residents. Among the numerous objects of
attention is the Corcoran Art Gallery, filled
with statuary, paintings, medals and articles
choice and rare; and if it is a sight not to be
passed by now in infancy, what may it not
become when age shall add richer contribu-
tons. have named only o few of our ad-
vantages.
Let me turn the Kaleidoscope. Enter the
avenues of Congress and corridors of the De-
partments. See the hurry-scurry Of women
hither and thither after Senators and Mem
bers to help them into placel 1t requires
much ingenuity for these officials to escape
the clamorous demands of these women
many of whom have sad story to tell
some true, others not. In the Treasury,
where these expectants most do congregate
with letters and documents from persons of
supposed influence, it is common sight to
see them in tears as they receive the verdict
mo vacancy"
Washington has lately been regaled with
lecture from the selfstyled "Queen of the
Rostrum," Victoria Woodhull-a woman of
rare gifts of mind and person; an adventu-
ress, who began her career years ago in Gin
cinnati as O fortune-teller and pretended
healer of diseases. From there she went to
New York, became broker, advocated wo-
mems rights and eliminated o lecturer. She
had large audience here, attracted more by
her notoriety than approval OF her peculiar
teachings. The ancients had Lares and
Penates-thoir household gods. Woman
should be the presiding and conferring deity
in our homes, the strongholds of our coun-
try, to train our future citizens and states
men, to educate our daughters to fill their
appointed place, that from their homes may
~ A. 4.
holds Of generations yet unborn.
The Women's Congress will soon have
session hore, and l will give some notes of
their proceedings.
The amnesty storm in Congress has been
followed by contest to make centennial
appropriation of one and half million dol
lars. 1t will probably pass the House with
the aid of men of all parties, though many
oe totb oact;ons onnose the measure as un-