The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-04-12
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., April Z,

ult., as claimed by many Democrats, or
is the legitimate result of the indiscrim-
mate and ill-considered cutting down of
the estimates of the former head of that
department, matters little to the present
Secretary of the Navy, who finds him
self hampered and embarrassed three
months before the close of the year by
deficiency Of $3.50, 900, wherewith to pay
the Navy. He has, in a recent circular,
declared his purpose to retain so much
of the money now in the Treasury cred
tied to his Department, as may be niece
sary to pay the allotments to the wives
of officers and sailors who are on foreign
stations and of course unable to make
provision for them by other means. The
amount required for the purpose above
stated for the present fiscal year was
ST, 500, 900. The amount actually appro
priated was So, 700, 900, increased at the
last session by deficiency appropriation
of 81 100000, leaving $3.50, 600 to be
supplied by the passage of another def
cheney bill. Something of a sensation
was created a few days ago by a current
rumor to the effect that no trace of the
81, 900, 900 resulting from the sale of the
old Philadelphia Navy Yard could be
found at the Department. That portion
of the Democratic press which jump at
conclusions, caught it up, fondIing and
caressing it, as was their wont in times
past, with any gossip unfavorable to ex-
Secretary Robson. That gentleman on
Thursday evening is reported to have
made statement which, If verified by
the books of the several Bureaus of the
Department, satisfactorily accounts for
the money in question.
The thousands Of people from every
section of the country who visited Wash
inoton on their Centennial excursion and
had their interest III the Washington
monument renewed by a personal in
spection of the unfinished structure, will
be glad to learn that the President has
recently expressed himself as heartily in
favor of completing the great national
work, and pledging himself and every
member of his household to aid 1t by
every proper means IN their power.
1t was begun more than quarter of a
century ago, 81 subscriptions being So
icited in every part of the country which
met a generous response. Many foreign
governments contributed blocks OF mar
bile in testimony Of their sympathy and
their appreciation of the character OF
Washington, whose virtues and public
services it was designed to commemor-
ate. It was carried up III feet, when
the funds gave out The war of the re-
bellion soon intervening, al efforts look
ing to its completion were swallowed up
in the more important ones needed for
the salvation of the Republic. Within
the past few years the matter has again
been agitated, and the Masons and other
secret orders have made considerable
contributions. July 9th of last year
motion to appropriate 100000 from the
Treasury, almost unanimously prevailed.
Three army engineers were at once des-
siguated to test the foundations, and af-
ter several months spent in sinking
shafts to ascertain the character of the
underlying earth, the conclusions arriv-
ed at are understood to be favorable to
the completion of the shaft substantially
In accordance with the original plan,
which contemplated height Of 600 feet
gradually tapering from a base OF 81
feet. $500, 900 less the amount spent in
the testing experiments, besides quite an
amount privately contributed and also
by societies, are now available with
which to resume work. The monument
is situated on the low ground three quar-
tiers OF mile south of the White House
on the east bank of the Potomac. When
completed it will be without rival in
monument building.
The government of South Carolina
having been virtually conceded to Hamp-
ton by the order withdrawing the troops
from the State House mt Columbus, &c
Louisiana is expected on the return of
the commission. No1 one appears an
zious to enter the lists to controvert the
conclusions OF Chamberlain in his pre-
sentation of his cause to the President,
nor those of Packard in his recent open
letter, also directed to the President.
The political situation here is character
lied by a great quietness, so quiet in
deed, that it is regarded by many as
rather ominous. Democrats, could they
be insured against the disintegrating eff
fects of the Presidents policy which
some of then, fear may result to their
party in the South, would be unreserv-
edlv happy. Republicans known to be
IN sympathy with the conciliatory policy
s4I,pear relieved now that the first posi-
tive step has been taken, seeming to re-
gard subsequent ones as less of cross
that has proved very notifying to the
!iesh, now that the ice is fairly broken.
Others of the party maintain silence
shat is almost sullen, and the lovers of
sensations are hoping to hear from them
when Congress shall have assembled in
extra session, which is now thought may
be as early as May.
The friends of Randall, Cox, and Tay-
Tor. are all in the field. working quietly
lint with determination in behalf of their
several favorites. Without Southern aid
no Republican candidate can expect to