The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-07-13
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

that quiet appearance so general in
southern latitudes in midsummer. But
it does not carry sunstrOke and prostra-
tiOn with it as it does in more northern
cities. 1t seems rather singular that a
high thermometer in New York causes
an alarming increase of the mortality
list, and yet under the same tempera-
ture here, or further south, does not
produce nearly the same disastrous ef-
! feets. Sunstroke seems a consequence
of city life, and that to far greater de-
gree in New York than In New Orleans.
1t is possible that the true Southern
habit of doing little work, or taking
scarcely any exercise during the heated
hours Of the day, may have much to do
in preventing prOstTatiOn from sun
stroke. Sunstroke is rarely seen in
Havana, and our experience in living
in Southern Alabama shows US that we
have as little to fear there from prostra-
tion as here. But we endeavored to
conform to Southern customs, and
avoided MONDAY exercise as much as
practicable.
The hegira of our citizens to watering
places has begun, and among others
preparing to join in it is the President
and his family.
Secretary Schurz recently made a
happy hit in one of his after-dinner
speeches before some gathering In say
ing that reform in government con-
sisted merely in the intense desire of
some out of office to get in, for when
once in, he invariably did as the person
Ousted. This criticism applies some
what to Mr.. Hayes. Among his prom
ised amendments upon the course pur-
sued by General Grant was one that he
would remain here during the summer
months, in order that government
might not be upon wheels more than
necessity compelled. The Soldiers
Home was fitted up for him with a
grand flourish of trumpets. But among
the announcements of his future move
ments is one that he will sojOurn at
some one of the Virginia resorts during
a portion of the approaching warm
season.
Secretary Schurz has shown himself
to be thorough and skillful organizer,
and to be in earnest in conveying out
his ideas of reform. We doubt not be
will make his hand felt throughout bis
entire administration. The greatest
and most unscrupulOus abuses of the
whole government have been found in
the Interior Department, and shrewd
honest heart is needed at its head in the
future to prevent continuance of the
huge, unblushing frauds which had
rankest growths prior to Mr.. Chand-
ler's encumbency. While we have lit.
tie sympathy with one of Mr.. Schur7
pets-civil service refOrm-in so far as
it tends to keep men in office and to bal
the new blood which the people find nee.
essary to political life outside of gov.
ernment executive department, still, a:
we know him TO be Jealous officer, we
can well be patient with his favorite
hobby. Change of party strength will
give us a new administration for many
years to come, and if so, Mr.. Schurl
may rest assured his scheme will van,
ish into thin air, under the dogma thA
ITO the viotOrs belong the spoils," al
suddenly as Aeriet's pageant vanished
at the sweep of PrOspero's wand. 81
long as we have our peculiar American
characteristic that one can do whateve
another has, SO long will Mr.. Schurz' the
Ory that the executive appointment shal
cover the appointees' lifetime be repug
nant to true Republicanism. Fraud il
every department comes in through it
) old tracks-men versed in all the intri
cacies of faccounts-and we firmly believ
t in new blood, new men, and chang
everywhere.
, The Washington monument still add
its weight to our situation. A board @
eminent and experienced army eBgi
neers were designated to examine tn
foundations of this huge pile of stone;
and in full accordance with the Yves
Point and regular Army etiquette whic
> bars the superior officer from doing an,
: duty that can be imposed upon junior
-, they detailed a chip of a Lieutenau
T who did not know as much about SUI
veying as county surveyor in a rurs
district, and ordered him to determin
: among other things whether the monU
o ment had settled or not. The resu
. was report the merest tyro in survey
d ing would be ashamed of, aud we hav
! the spectacle of board trying to white
!, wash its own published statements
o General Phil. Kearney attributed ou
! many failures at the beginning of th
:, late war to the ossificatiOn of the brair
y of our regular officers while commanC
r ing two company posts on the frontie
}, and we feel assured that this Ossificatio
q process is continuous, since we have
;. this Washington monument mudd
# such a fine sxemplification of We
p Points success in how not to do 1t. Tt
ii theoretical knowledge of West Peinte
=. in comparison to the practical power
= an experienced civil engineer, is abol
3, equal to the intellect Of a boy in col
ID trast with that of q man. It's good