The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-07-24
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. G., July 18th, 1877

The city of Washington has hitherto
been exclusively political capital, and not,
like the European seats of Government, the
centre of the Nations intellect and culture.
This is hardly as it should be and there is
really no good reason why our city should
not be the New York of America Indeed
steps are being taken, of late, for the ac-
compishment of such results and as the
patriotic sentiment of the country grows
and increases, the movement is being talked
up by prominent and thinking men, so,
without doubt, the future capital of our
Republic will be its intellectual as we'll as
political centre. The Congressional Libra
ry, which grows with such amazing rapidi-
ty, is already one of the largest and most
comprehensive in the world the Smith
sonian Institute which contains valuable
scientific and artistic specimens the Art
Gallery with its invaluable halls of modern
and ancient statuary, its fine collection of
bronzes, and its beautiful paintings. The
Army Medical Museum, and various other
similarly attractive institution are drawing
the attention of cultured persons to our
city as most desirable place of permanent
residence. Because the business of the
place is mostly governmental, and the
changes continually going on make con-
stant changes in the officers employed, it is
true that we have here no 'abiding city"
as far as it's personnel is concerned, but we
are seeking one to come and among ether
helps we have the proposed civil service re-
form, which, If carried out, cannot fail to
exercise favorable influence in that di-
rection. can do no better than to quote
from person of note in the intellectual
and scientific world who says upon this
same subject " If the Government
adopts the policy of appointing its servants
in the civil service for life, or during good
behavior, with promotions for merit, the
whole character of official life in Washing
ton will be changed for the better. 1t will
present attractions for quiet men of letters,
which it did not possess under the.wretched
system which has hitherto prevailed. If
the civil service of the nation is truly re-
formed and placed upon footing of fideli-
ty and integrity, situations in it will be
particularly desirable for literary men on
account of the fact that they can thereby
secure incomes which will be certain if not
large, and at the same time secure reason
able amount of leisure for literary work -
But the encouragement of literature
should by no means end with opening its
civil service to scholars. The duty which the
can never be fully and properly discharged,
except by establishing great National
University at Washington"
Just at present the Mexican question is
paramount in political circles here. Partly
for want of subject of more moment and
partly from the presence in our midst of
Senor Meta, insisting upon being recogniz-
ed by the Uuited States as the lawful rep
resentative Of the Mexican Republic. The
matters requiring special attention are not
so much regarding the annexation of Mexi-
can territory to our domain as the stopping
of the border troubles against which the
present Administration has taken bold
stand. They have done it none too soon,
for the patience of the brave Texans is
well-nigh gone and the marau6ing brigands
of Northern Mexico have carried on their
thieving and pillaging SO long that they are
getting to be "Time honored custom"
President Hayes has as yet passed but
little time in the White House since the
removal of his family to their summer
home. For brief season, at least, the
Executive family are enjoying seclusion
that to them must be the greatest of luxu-
ries. Strange to say, the people had con.
sideration enough to allow few days to
elapse after the Presidents return from
the East, before crowding into his presence
J at all times and in all places.
One thing it would bc we'll If office-seek.
ers could understand that by carrying their
] grievances, complaints, and petitions, into