Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-10-19
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence of the Bulletin.


WASHINGTON. d G., Oct. IL, II.
Washington is now putting on its best
attire to welcome Congress. Our house
keepers, on every hand, are busted seek
ing their dodgers and preparing for the
harvest which follows the recess. As
IN college town, to which vacation
brings an entire subsistence Of business
and disappearance of everything which
gave life and hustle to the streets and
the opening of the session gives ANNA
ton everywhere So in Washington.
Adjournment narrows us down to the
purely local affairs of our city, while the
reasscmbling Of Congress infuses life in
to every channel Of business. The Cap
ital has been thoroughly renovated
throughout and even the Supreme Court
Room, where the yandal house-cleaner
hardly dares venture with more than a
brush and broom, has been re-carpeted,
the first time for many years. Bright
new carpets have been put down in the
House, and with the free use OF paint
and polish, presents real fresh and IT,
dy appearance. It's system Of ventia-
ton has been wholly reModeled, and the
experimental tests lead the engineers to
think that they have overcome all for
mer difficulties encountered in remov-
ing the vitiated air, which so quickly, in
the past, rendered the House Chamber
foul and unhealthy. Fresh air can now
be forced into every part of the hall,
from the chair of the member to the
ceiling. a large air conduit has been
made from the heating rooms of the
basement to the outside Of the large ter
race at the foot Of the west front OF the
Capitol, and by this means pure air only
will be forced into the building. The
supply OF air last winter flowed into the
heating room over moldy debris and ref
use, and took with it such vapors as
damp, dark walls emitted But now it
comes fresh from the beautiful grounds
of the Capitol front, and will be as pure
as Congressional tobacco, whisky and
hydrogen of attenuatcd brains will per-
init. The hand Of the architect and
landscape gardener appears ON every
side in the Capitol grounds New walks
have been paved and walled with varie-
gated stones, the terraces have been
trimmed with renewed sodding, and the
universal living green encircling the
Capitol, so strongly in contrast with the
past, is indeed refreshing
A few years ago the Capitol grounds
were without beauty or attraction. The
north and south fronts were covered
with building debris, while the east and
west fronts were filled with huge trees,
arranged without system, and complete
ly hiding the Capitol, except the dome,
from the spectator unless at its very
base. Now all these trees have been
removed save an occasional one, whose
from the distance The east front has
been graded down some II feet, two
whole squares have been added by pur-
chase and the buildings sold and rcmoy-
ed, costly lamps and statues erected,
and everything done that taste could
suggest to make it what it should be, a
fit surrounding for the National Capitol
The city is slowly filling up with mem
bers and visitors and a few days more
will doubtless find us as intent on saw
ing the country by windy speeches and
lobby influences as ever in the past.
The excitement at present centers upon
the Speaker Of the House, and we are
greeted with charge and counter
charge by the interested, and all the sin
uosities Of log rolling and wire pulling
Mr.. Randall seems destined for the i'm
portant position as the opposing intiu-
ences now appear unable to concentrate
their votes upon one man against him
He is singularly shrewd diplomat, and
for years has played an important part
here in Congress. Though possessing
none of the arts and graces of an orator,
by which masses Of men could be led
and controlled, as with Henry Clay, yet
his GOODNESS and adroitness serve the
same purpose, and he has been as much
a leader of his party as Thad Stevens,
whom Randall resembles in several per-
sonal characteristics. lie will win, if at
all, by sheer force of will and mental
power. To Mr.. Thompson is conceded
reelection as Sergeant-at-Arms, hence
little general interest is exhibited for
the House offices beyond that of Speak
er. When Congress convened in 1873,
our city was overrun with Office seekers.
Virginia alone sent thousands, and a
more hungry, anxious crowd was never
seen haunting Il soup house or charity
table than these seekers after govern
ment pap Yet this year no such crowd
is here. and we are entering upon the
session with a freedom from them that
leads many to think that starvation has
saved the country from their future i'm