Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-09-28
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
ndence of the Bulletin.

Correspondence of the Bulletin.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept. %, II.
Within very short time, the several
divisions of Prof. Hayden's Geological
Survey Of the Territories will return to
the headquarters of the organization, at
Washington, d. c., laden with the rich
results of another successful expedition
to the far West. The achievements of
this survey are increasing in Importance
each year, and the developments made
by it within the last ten years have not
been equaled by any similar organiza-
ton, either in this country or Europe,
and certainly no body of men have re-
ceived higher enconiums for eminent
scientific service than this, and we are
confident that the people of this coun-
try, as well as those of Europe, will
have higher and higher appreciation of
the work of this survey, as it proceeds
and progresses in the valuable work, re-
vealing to the people of the world the
vast untold resources of the American
Continent. The Survey has been max
ing an examination of the country north
of the 10th parallel, and the width of
the area reaches from Rawlings Springs
to Ogden, and from. the 10th parallel to
the Yellowstone Park. Mr. G.. r. Beck
Ter, in charge of one division, occupied
the country along Snake River, and
near the Park. Mr. Becker will COM
plete about eight thousand square
miles. MIR. Henry Garnett, in charge of
another division, occupied the country
about the sources of Green River, and
cover about 10000 square miles. Mr..
G.. B. Chittenden explored the region
along the lower Wind River and Sweet
Water; his area also comprises 10000
square miles. Mr.. A. d. Wilson, in
charge of the Triangulation party, trav-
eled across and over the entire country
examined by the different divisions, and
constructed network of primary TRAN
giles, occupying and locating all the
prominent mountains within the terri
tory surveyed. The expedition this year
will be able to reveal some most import
ant information, as the country examin-
ed proved to be rich in mines and
resources for farming, the climate excel
lent, and the whole region quite acces-
sible. Large collections of fossils of
various kinds, as well as minerals, were
made. Numerous botanical and natural
history species were also collected. The
office work will soon commence. The
preparation of the reports for Congress
will be pressed forward and the final re-
suits reduced to formal in time to
prepare for the exploration of other I'M
known fields, next year. The real value
of Prof. Hayden's labors are virtually
unknown to the people, simply because
his reports are not put into general cir
culation. Every school library should
have one, and we would urge its super
intendent to address letter to his Con-
gresham, asking that copy of the
Hayden survey be sent to him for pub
lie use. 1t is report that every intel
ligent, thinking boy will read, and with
profit, for it will teach him most valua-
Bile lessons of our'own country's great
ness. 1t is strange feature that our
libraries. intended for the benefit of the
American youth, should have so much
of Europe and so little of America in
them.
GENERAL MATTERS.
The city is fast filling up with mem
bers of Congress and their families.
The names of quite number appear on
the registers of our hotels, and many
others have taken quarters in their own
and in various boarding houses. The
Chairman of the Committee on Military
affairs Gen. Banning, with his wife and
family, are at the Riggs House. His
presence here at this early date is re-
ouired in consequence of the preparation
of the army bill, which his committee
must consider prior to the converting of
Congress in October As the extra ses-
sion has been called principally with
reference to providing for the army and
navy, many important matters are to be
considered by the committee in charge
of the military and naval affairs. 1t is
the intention of the chairman thereof to
thoroughly mature and prepare their
appropriation bills before Congress con-
venes, and it is reported that they will
endeavor to put them in such shape as
will cut off all debate, and insure imme
date action in Congress. We very much
doubt the power of Gen. Banning, or any
other committeeman, toaccomplish this,
inasmuch as every member, particularly
those who have never been here before,
have their trunks loaded down with
speeches which they expect to deliver
upon the matters of army and navy, and,
like wind-mills under good head of
wind, when once started Congress will
not cease it's debate upon these matters
till compelled by the heated weather of
next summer, and approaching elections.
Between hair-splitting on certain con-
stitutional points, attacks and defences
of the Presidents policy, and the ad
justment of the differences between
tueedle dee and t,reedle dam which are
involved in the gold and silver issues,
you may expect. long and laborious
session of Congress, even though not a
mite of real national good is accom-
plished.
A greater proportion of the Senators
and members Of Congress have taken
houses for the session, and the winter
promises to be more interesting in mat
ters of receptions than any one since the
war 1t would seem difficult to excel
those of last winter; it was Grants last
winter in the White House, and he and
his Cabinet made it one Of much greater
display than any preceding But the
people were so much engrossed in Pres
ident making, and, thereby, unsettled
generally, that the same interest was not
taken in gaities as we now have the pro-
r. NV ou,,nnk ono continual vO11Od