Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1877-06-28
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WasmNaroS, D. G, June IS, 1876.

WASHINGTON d. G.. June -. 1876.
ant tell how many million dollars have
been spent upon public improvements here
durisg the last decade but il il very MANY
and the man who instigated and began the
work is ex-Goyernor Shepherd, who il now
accused Of raseality Of the deepest dye, and
is called BOSS" in indication that his chief
care was like that Of the old Boss''-who
now occupies apartments in Ludlow Street
to plumber and steal hundred dollars
for every one he honestly expended for the
city's interest, whereas Shepherd, by con
slant and untiring effort, and wise heed
lessness of public opinion, converted the
malarial mud hole and morass known as the
National Capital, into a beautiful and
healthy city. And this, too, at time
just after the war, when prices were high
aad extravaganza rampant everywhere
Congress shamefully neglected the District
for forty years before the war and it is not
surprising that after half a eentury's abuse,
the cost Of converting such place into a
really beautiful city should be great, and
some waste inevitable Nor do those even
who hurl the bitterest epthets deny that
these improvements were not needful and
creditablc to the nation, and tha5 they were
largely due to the personal oversight and
good taste of Mr. Shepherd
1t is a rare thing that Government en-
ployee, more especially one holding high
position, voluntarily resigns his office, and
retires to private life There was such a
case here recently Third Assistant Post
master, General Barber, after four years
service in the same position, rendered his
resignation to the President and left for his
home in Michigan, where he will hereafter
att nd to his own private business. Ills
place will be hard to fill, but he was per-
sistent in leaving, notwithstanding the
great regret manifested BY his associates in
the Office and by the higher officials
This is only one more addition to the long
list of instances going to show that even
the more lucrative positions under the Gov
eminent are not desirable to thosa who have
business capacity and are able to direct it
towards private enterprise and employment.
Surely no life can be more harassing than
one Of uncertainty and insecurity, let alone
the conscious lack of mental activity attend
ing the life of the average employee here.
Every month changes are made, and every
change causes an anxiety and fear Of being
discharged. Nearly all feel it and well they
may, for the instances are not rare where
persons have been dismissed upon the most
unreasonable prctenses personal preiudiccs,
scandal anything for removal that will
give room for some more favored indyidu-
al. A case came to my knowledge of one
who lost her position, and the only reason
given was that she had a rich brother-in-
law, when in fact, she had no more to do
with her brother ln-law than she had with
the King Of Denmark Politicians still
hold the reins Of Government very much in
their own hands, and has only to pos
sess influence to gain position A change
in this direction was one of the strong points
in the new Presidents inaugural address,
and Of course there is yet hope that the
promised change will be made but up to
the present time no difference is apparent,
and our hearts are getting sick already with
hope 50 long deferred.
Newspapers and many mouths are full of
"Gen. Grant abroad, which is not sur
prlslng to us who have known the man Cor
is he a God , 50 long and 50 we'll Only
twenty years ago people were saying of his
wife Poor Julia Dent! She don't get
along. Her husband can't make both ends
meet She is on visit to her sister now.
They live on her fathers farm and hardly
make living" Now Queens, Princes,
Lords and noblemcn are receiving him and
that same poor Julia Dent with all the
pomp, ceremony and honor old Englanders
are capable of showing, and that is not a
little
General Grant merely mistook his call
ing at the starting point in his life, and his
prime was spent IN struggling against a
poverty that seemed a fate Many and
many have known like experience. but few
ever lever come out into the light" as he
has And yet his is hardly situation to
be envied, all things considered.