Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1877-01-22
Devoted to the Development of Eastern the
BOHEMIAN, M. T., MONDAY. JAN % 1877-
WASHINGTON LETTER
SPECIAL CoRREsPoSpxxCs.


The Innocent little New Year was
ushered into this tempestuous wo,M on
the wings of a regular northeast snow
storm, which kept increasing during the
whole day TIL at nlght.fall the streets
were nearly deserted, the snow and wind
had the out-of doors city to themselves.
and right meirlly did they dance and
"hlrl and sing. holding II grand New
Years carnival; or was it a wake, at the
fune' al of the poor old careworn century,
just departed, that they were celebrating
so boisteroasly? And was thus large
white mantle, encircling everything
around. his windinq.sheet
During the early part of the day
the groups Of joyous New Years
callers made light of the fast fal-
ling snow. but by midday many
had made an uncermonous end ofcall,pc:
few brave hearts, with muffied forms
and umbere'la laden, foundered on
through the drifting snow to meet with
warm appreciation and hearty welcome
from the fair ones 10 meet whom such
efforts Was made: while Others. less coura.
geous, betoOk themselves TO hacks and
coaches, and went gaily on their way
rejoicing that they were not as their
neighbors.
The back ground of the bright picture
Is most sombre one. The festivities of
yesterday were. to many poor hearts, but
bitter nockery. Want-worn men, hae.
gard women and squallil, ha!t.frozen
children wandered through the streets,
sh'vering and hungry, knowing that home
was no warmer nor more cherry for them
than the bitter street. and that those whom
they had left thefe were waiting, sad and
sore at heart, for hope and help that their
return would fail to bring them All well!
Gods orphans" are in every part IF the
weary world happy the creature who
relieves the distress OF a single one of !
them.
Still sadder, even. than the sight and
knowledge Of the suffering and needy in
the mlhst Of this luxurious Washington,
is that of degradation, Of which many in
stan ces were manifest last evening and
for the relief Of which the good Samari-
ian qualities Of the police force were
called int, active exel else. Many Were
the unfortunates who were rescued, hy
them, from their tleecily dangerous
couchcs. Young men seldom refuse 1.-THE
rosy that ladies', who receive them in
their pleasant homes, set before and press
upon Thew, and the result of this yesler-
uay was very evident. FlOundering along
toward home giddy from many d,auyhts
rect ived during tae day from fair hands.
and blinded by The whirling gnsts of
snow, more than one respectable ~
young man laid himself down, exhausted
and careless of consequences. 10 sleep
wha. would have been for them the sleep
that knows no awakening. but for the
protecting vigilance VIII ch guards our
cItv. And where lies the blame of this? 1?
No rews of political characters pos
sible, just now in Washington. Active
business will be resumed at the Capitol
Tomorrow. however, and lively times are
anticipated.
The only commOti0n among Washing.
tonians. at present. is cause'i by simul-
ianrous closing up of the numerous
gambling houses in the city. AID most
thorough OF The same that is
now going forward at police headquarters.
The existence and locality of these houses
was boldly shown up come two weeks
since. by one Of The daily papers here,
and the announcements made in that
journal, for several successive .iays. has
led to u closing up of these disgracetul
places that pEom'ses to be more than
temporary. Major Richards. Chief of
Police has been accused of connienancing
The urlawful proceedings Of these Yamt.
Ing houses by receiving money from their
proprietors in payment for securing item
immunity from arrest; and it las been
proved. by may witnesses, that the police
corps of the District has held intimate
relations with the gambling broth rhOOd
for many years rast. Occasionally. for
the sake of semblancc, :the police raided
some poor, miserable, negro gambling
hovel, and especial care WAS taken that
such events should be duly reported in
the leading city newspapers. in order that
the public should be favorablv impressed
with the vigilance of the police; but none
of the many large and much-patronized
gambling saloons were mOlrstej. They
nave been burnt disgrace 70 the
National Capitol and il is to be earnestly
hoped that the present movement rgainst
them may prove their utter downfall:
II. N. W.