The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-02-20
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
wAsH1NoToN, d. c., Feb. 18th. 1877.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. 18th, 1877.
The highest pitch Of excitement was
reached at the capital yesterday at a little
past noon. The House held an animated
discussion of two hours length, voting
against the decision of the Electoral Com
mission in the Florida case, and sent the
report to the Senate with the announce
ment that the House was in readiness to
receive that body; whereupon the two
Houses met in joint convention for the sec
ond time this session. Considerable dis
-pleasurable and otherwise
was felt when the vote of Illinois was read
and no objections were made. Nothing
further Of note occurred till Louisiana was
reached, when, as anticipated, all over the
country, objections were made by both Re.
publioans and Democrats, which put an
end to the proceedings of that day. VS.
Much complaint is made because so littlo
legislative business has been accomplished
this winter but the records will show q
pretty fair amount Of important matters to
have been disposed Uf,-more than would
generally be expected considering the nee
essary attention and time that have been
given to the Presidential question. Prof.
Henry, of the Smithsonian Institute in this
city, petitioned Congress week or two
ago for an appropriation to be devoted to
the erection of new building for national
museum purposes, stating that the present
institute will not hold quarter of the
Centennial presents, donated to our Gov
ernment which are now stored in the old
armory and in Philadelphia. These pres
ents are an extensive addition to the Ma
tional museum and it is but fitting that
Congress should at once provide for the
erection of a building suitable for its ac-
commodation.
The Centennial collection composes al
most the entire Centennial exhibits of the
government of the Argentine Republic,
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chill, China,
Egypt, France, Germany. Hawaii, Italy
Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, NorwaW
Orange Tree State, Peru, Portugal Russia
Spain, Sweden Siam, Switzerland, Turkey,
Tunis, Great Britain and the colonies, and
Venezuela. The donation from China is
the largest and is full exposition of the
races, habits, and resources of that coun-
try. This, by itself, would fill any one of
the large halls of the Smithsonian and the
collection from Siam is nearly as large
From fair France we have beautiful pair
of Centennial vases, valued at SIT, 900, and
a large panel of tiles. From Great Britain
there 10 an allegorical representation of
America, composed of several colossal
figures, valued at $4,000 The rest are
mainly stuffed birds and ANIMALS, preserved
fishes, and the natural products and manu-
factures of the above mentioned countries.
Another matter that has been neglected
too long was considered by Congress late
ly; that of the unfinished Washington
monument. This monument was begun
many years ago and was designed to be
the talest in the world. 1t has already
cost $2S 600 and is but 170 feet high, GOO
feet is to be its height when finished. And
now it is found that the foundation is not
strong enough to bear the completed mon-
ument, and there is no way of remedying
this defect as its comparative nearness to
the Potomac river gives the ground a
sandy, uncertain firmness which is quite
insecure. 1t has at last been decided to
tear it down and erect it on higher land,
using the same material and making some
changes in the style of building. 1t was
originally intended to ornament the interi-
or walls by the insertion of numerous
specimen pieces of stone sent to all parts
of the world in memory of Washington.
Among those already received are some
from Mount Vesuvius China, Bremin,
Swiss Republic, the Temple of Carthage,
Greece, Japan, and twelve bricks from the
birthplace of Washington. 1t is Eow pro-
posed that these be used for the construc-
tion OF suitable base upon which the
shaft shall rest.
Mrs. Grant gave her last reception at
the White House, on Friday afternoon, and
it was by far the largest that ever occurred
there by daylight excepting on New Years
day. The President does not receive visit
ors now until after twelve o'clock, as he is
busy in packing and arranging his papers,
preparatory to leaving the White House.
NOna of the family avince anv main at tho
idea of leaving the house that has been
their home for eight years. On the con-
trary, one would suppose it was pleasant
change they were about making-as in
many accounts it is. 1t is said that some
time next month Mr.. and Mrs. Grant will
60 to Cuba and from there to Europe where
they will remain some time. They intend
making Washington their future winter
home, the President having recently pur-
chased a handsome residence here for that
purpose. N. NJ. w.