The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-06-13
Washington Letter.

s,.~ 1'~>AS a~~~~>S~s
and many are the plannings and con!
jecturings of political circles in regard
to it. Preliminary steps are being tax,
en- as quietly as may be, and much
anxiety is felt by workers for certain
measures. Several leading politicians
have been in the city of late, in fact,
have been back and forth from their
own homes here since Congress ad-.
journel. Senator Blaine, among 9TH
ers, has been 4 frequenter at the White
House recently and many comments
have naturally been made in regard to
it. He does not make his business
public, as he says the people we'll know
he is no weathcr-cock, and the stand he
took upon the senate floor last spring
will continue to be his position. He
expressed his dissatisfaction with and
rnbelief in the Presidents southern pol
icy decidedly, at the outset, and his
views on that point remain unchanged.
It is known that he has been vigorously
at work for the interests Of his own
State, although he attirms that his basl-
ness here was to overlook some repairs
and improvements upon his residence
in this city.
The secret meetings in the interest Of
a new political party, Of which it is sup
posed the distinguished Maine Senator
will be leader, were held here during
Blaine's visit, report says, without his
cooperation or even knowledge, there's
not much reliance to be placed upon
such reports in these days, however.
Conkiins is here, too, keeping very
quiet. Nobody appears to know what
his business is Or # he has any in par
ticular, but suppose Of course that he
has some axe or other that needs sharp
ening up a little. Conkling is a grand
looking man, tall and straight and COM
handing in figure, with face smooth
and firm, good head, and broad brow
upon which clusters his silvery hair in
real baby ring curls. His hair always
looks the same, being brushed, in a
style peculiar to himself, in a large long
curl upon the top Of the head, as we
often see fond mothers brush their pref
ty little boys hair-in "Boston.'
Great men-popular men-even the
best, are always sure to be severely
criticised. Secretary Sherman is just
now & ver5 popular man, and no per-
SOC in the country is receiving more
criticism not even the President. 1t is
known that he has a "policy" that he
is determined upon working out, and
that is enough. Down with him! We
DOM want any specie resumption! We
don't want the National debt paid !!
Nor the tariff revised, nor civil service
reform in any shape. Secretary Sher-
man goes off on tour of inspection of
harbors and we call it pleasure trip
and ccnsure him accordingly. He keeps
to his business Sundays and all and the
band shows an appreciation of the
sanctity of the day by serenading the
Secretary with "Marching through
Georgia" and "Nearer my God to Thee"
We sarcastically propose that he looks
after the posts on the plains and say
he might possibly get chance to in
spect buffalo or two. And still, in
spite of all our fault finding and cutting
remarks, the obdurate man keeps on
just as if he were pleasing everybody.
Ex-Prcsident Grant has arrived in
England and is going through process
of being lionized that one would suppose
he would be tired and sick of by this
time. He has had fifteen years of it
already but I suppose as long as one
lives his love of appreciation clings to
him. On the day Gen. Grant reached
Philadelphia, preparatory to sailing for
Europe, he visited tailor's and was
measured for a suit Of clothes to wear
on his sea voyage and the next day or.
dered Il Generals full dress Uniform.
1t is in the regulation pattern and con-
stitutes very snowy and handsome
dress. The epaulets bear two stars
with the United States coat Of arms be-
tween then, and his only other ornamen-
tation will be u handsome aquilette.
While the General was in the shop he
was wanted to step upon the scales and
be weighed. "Oh, know my weight