Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-10-20
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. Der. 1G. 1917

! WASHINGTON, IL. u, OCf. 10, 1874.
Washington is putting on its best
attire to welcome Congress. Our
housekeepers on every hand, are bus-
led seeking their dodgers and prepar-
ing for the harvest which follows the
recess. AS in n college town, to
which vacation brings an entire sub
sidence Of business and disapr earance
of everything which gave life and
hustle to the streets, and the opening
of the session gives animation every
where So in Washington. Adjourn
ment narrows us down to the purely
local affairs of our city, while the re-
assembling of Congress infu Ses life
into every channel of business. TIE
Capitol has been thoroughly rcnovat-
ed throughout, and even the Supreme
Court Room, where the vandal House
cleaner hardly dares venture with
more than a brush and broom, has
been re.carpeted-thc first time for
many years. Bright new carpets have
been put down in the House, and with
the free use of paint and polish pre-
sents real fresh and tidy appear
ance. Its system Of ventilation has
been wholly rcmoddled ana the ex-
perimental tests lead the Engineers TO
think they have overcome all former
difficulties encountered in removing
the vitiated air which SO quickly in
the past, rendered The House Cham
Der 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 ain conduit
has been made from the heating rooms
of the basement to the outside Of the
large terrace at the foot Of tie West
front OF the Capitol, and by this
means pure air only will be forced H.
to the building, The supply of air
last winter flowed into the heating
rooms over mouldy debris and refu ,e
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 tabs eco, whiskcy and
hydrogen Of attenuated hraihs will
permit. TIE hand of the Architect
and landscape gardiner appears on
every side in the Capitol grounds.
New walks have been paved and wal,
led with variagated stones, the terraG-
es have boon trimmed with renewed
sodding, and the universal living green
encircling the Capitol is SO strongly
in contrast with the past, is indeed re-
freshing.
A few years ago the Capitol grounds
we're without beauty or atlracti, n.
The North and South fronts were Gov
cred with building debris while Il e
East and West points were llllcd with
huge trees, arranged without system
and completely hiding the Capitol eX-
cept the dome, from the spectator, an
less at its very base. Now al these
trees have been removed save an &C.
casional one whose presence does not
obstruct the view front the distance.
The east front has been graded down
some y feet, two whole squares have
been added to it by purchase and
tiTeir buildings sold and removed
costly lamps and statues erected and
everything done that taste could sug
gest to make it, what it should be, q
fit surrounding for the Natil nal Capt.
toll.
The city is pretty we'll filed with
members and visitors as the val ious
subsidy schemes are marshal'iDg thcil
hosts preparatory to making then
grand raids upon the public treasury
through the innocent and lamb like
Congressman and Senators. The eau
Gus Of Saturday night determined thC
result of the exciting contest fol
speakership by electing Mr. Randall
on first ballot. Welding power
second to that Of the President The
Speakership becomes mex essarily al
important position to the party il
ascendaLcy hence the feeling exhibit
ed in the late contest. Though Mr.
Randall. the fortunate aspirant pos
sesses but few Of the arts and graces
by which orators, like Henry Clay lee
and controlled the masses, yet he ha!
! q tact, shrewdness, warmness ant
courage which render him q powerful
leader, like Thad. Stevens whom h
resembles in many personal character
istics. He wins by sheer force of vii
and mental power and though poll
tician and partisan in the fulIes
sense, yet we doubt not will be abb
in the future as in the past to rise Il
bove party aims and show himself tn
! true patriot.
The Administration as we'll as tn
: elite are in busted preparation for
brilliant season and there is every in
dication that the coming winter will
not fall short of last in any respect
1t was Gen'l Grants last occupanc,
Of the White House and lie freely dis
pensed the increased salary given hir
, by Congress to make his retiracy on
C continued scene of display 9Th
, pomp Of power. "All that wealth
!, all that beauty can give, will be use
: by Mr.. Hayes to make the Whit
!. House attractive
i. SOCRATES.