The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-12-08
Our Washington Letter.
The EEreshef-Victim of the
Huron Disaster-The Senate
rial HBattIe-AmmOrality i'm tlae
Capitol.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 90, 1877.
EDITOR CHIEF:
We talk and hear and read of moth
ing in the last few days but the fresh
ct from which this and surrounding
vicinities are suffering. The rain was
not violent in this District, although
it fell during most of the last three
days of the week past. But the Po-
tomac overflowed its banks and the
whole lower part of the city is
flooded, besides numerous cellars and
Easements. Day before yesterday a
man and two horses were drowned
while attempting to cross to Virginia
Avenue. The mails were detained
for some days and general confu-
sion has ensued. Much loss of prep
erty has been occasioned along the
river here and in Georgetown, but
the worst is. now, over and the water
is failing. =
should not have said that we are
thinking of nothing but the freshet,
for there are one or two other sub
iects that can but interest US. Wash
ington has reason for great concern
regarding the recent marine disaster
l referto the loss of the Huron off the
North Carolina coast last Saturday
for several of her citizens were lost.
Lieut.. Palmer was one. He was son
of DIR. Palmer of the U. S. Navy, was
married three or four years ago, and
leaves a wife and two babies. His
sisters wedding has already been an
nounced to take place Tomorrow
Thanksgiving Day-she having been
engaged to a young Englishman of
the diplomatic service, for over a
year. The wedding will be post
poned, of course, and the afflicted
family will scarcely be in mood for
| giving thanks.
There are more interesting events
transpiring at the Capital, too, in the
last few days, than has been the case
before during the present session.
!. The Senate remained in sessinn all
Monday night, struggling over the
| seating of Butler of South Carolina.
The Republican element has received
a severe stirring through the action
of two Senators from that side in vo-
ting with the Democrats and the
agitation appears to be caused by an
attempt to gain a very near majority
on the one side and fear of, and
struggle against, losing it on the
other. Thurman and Edmunds are
the leaders in the strife, and the IN
merciful hits they make at each Other
are enough to make one shrink from
politicians life.g He must have lived
a truly God like life who can run the
gauntlet of a term in Congress anC
not have his name smfrched by the
pulling into light of some deed done
in darkness. If a man has ever TOLD
a lie, even though it be when he wa'
but child, he can't come into pub
licity of a seat in our legislative hall!
without being twitted of it.. It is nj
wonder the members get hardened t.
lit and come to care very little wha
is said or thought. Of their privat'
lives. Apropos to this l quote th'
following paragraph from the pen Of
conscientious Washington correspon
Il dent to leading paper, which, al
though consider it little exagera
ted. certainly contains much trutl
and faithfully portrays some wome'
and some MEN who may be seen at
most any day: = You can see iii rita
/ tious too disgraceful to report. No
only are the entrances to the Caplto
! thronged by brazen creatures who llav
tlost all womanly modesty, but ther
J are girls, scarcely past childhood
D leaning on Senator'S arms, listenin
, with glowing cheeks to compliment
paid them by the great men IN tn
corners of the corridors, eating wit
: them in the restaurant, and unsil'
3 pectingly being the subject of wink
q between Congressman. They-hlgi
| minded legislators-mill leave the
i seats any time, no matter how urSen
b | the subject insdebate,I to answer I'll
g card of an attractive woman" ] 9
s not believe in the universal eorrlil
a ton Of onr Congressman, but l fiai
: seen aud leuowu enough to show. n
), that these great lawmakers are o
e dipaYy men and IBertals, as liable
temptation and as subject to tl
snares of the crafty as are other pc
+ sous. 1t is a fact that the lobbies a
!. seldom clear of female friends Of Il