, 1877-10-13
Our Was!liiiste, Letter.
WASHINGrnY. Sept. 2l, l

Ed. SrATESMaN:-AmOng W ashlngtonian
the burning of the Patent Office buildin
is of greater interest than political events
Mr.. Hayes and Lis rangers came home las
night from the south, but all Washington
was meditating on the fire, and no one me
him at the depot Indeed, tins city Is ST
free from fires, end so accustomed to hlgi
officials, that the burning Of q corner grocer.
will attract greater crowd at any tlhse thai
the coming or going of president, trandu
lent or otherwise The actual pecuniary los:
| by the fire is now estimated at Lear y 81 900,
600. The loss to the country by the lower
ing of the dignity Of the presidential Office by
Mr.. Hayes electioneering trip cannot be
counted Most of the models in the patent
office have been saved, though some valu-
able ones We're lost which cannot he replac
ed. The Washington relics were saved by
great exertiou, but Nh Hayes Was, at the
same time WantOnly disregarding the far
| more precious example of our first president
| by making political tour through the states
Public sentiment Is now very strong against
! putting up any other but strictly tire-proof
buildings When congress meets | trust sug-
geStions heretofore made In this correspond
ence, that the government cease to keep Its
records in tinder-boX buildings, whether
hired or not, will be heedcd. The fire Will
have the effect of scattering the different bu-
reaus of the interior department. Numerous
buildings have been rendered to the secre
tary, and the employees viii soon be at work
AGAIN.
Six months ago 1 wrote you of the expec-
ted death of Alex. ii. Stephens, then be-
lieved to be diving at the National hotel in
this city Soon after that the wonderful
man started for his home i'll the south, and
last evening he returned to us to take part
Ill the extra session of congress He Is ap-
parently better than at any time for some
years. He Is being called on to-day by his
numerous friends.
\ delegation Of Indians is here to make a
treaty We ought long ago to haze ont
grown the folly of making solemn treaties
with bands OF Indians whose condition for
bade their understanding the force of any
agreement, and the more especially as the
constant extension of cur people westward
made 1t impossible for us to live up TO the
letter OF spirit Of the treaties A treaty which
one of the parties is incapable Of understand
ing and the other party observing is not
such a one as ought to be made. Perhaps
the turning over of ell the tribes to the war
department-With a provision that General
Howard shall he kept out of the Indian
country-would he the best that could be
done, and We may expect great effort Ill
that direction thiS winter III congress.
There viii be unprecedented efforts made
this winter to secure federal aid in some
shape, TO tie Texas Pacific railroad Col |
Tom Scott will occupy large house here,
and entertain. He believes, evidently,
in reaching the congressional brain through
the congressional stomach. There are evi-
dcrces too tha. various southern members
heretofore not favorable to such aid by the
government, are prepared to support sub
sidy lust once" On the Whole, this Will
be the great question of the session Next
III Importance viii he the lobby i'll the inter
esS OF L vigorous policy means war
III cur dealings with Mexico. This Is prob
ably the most mercenary and soulless lobby
that ever existed. | do not oeleve any man
of national reputation will be found doing its
bidding
Randall viii be here ahqut October lst and
VIII have rooms for a few days at Sander
sons hotel. His coming means that he Is
Determined 20 be speaker if he can About
four people III every i've here expect his cleo
ton, and the fifth now Is fearfully divided
among the other candidates. Randall is very
popular here.
Washing.onians are organizing to present
to Congress soEe definite plan for the gov
erment of the district, and a decision as to
the proportion of district expense TO be borne
by the general government. As it is, each
congress works Its own sweet viii upon us,
and there is no way in which We can Judge,
from year 10 year, whether we shall be pet
ted children or ragged cutcasts We are not
looking for charity, but We think the capital
of the country, beyond al other cities, should
have stable government, with such arrange
ments as To taxation Of federal property as
will not make every new government build
ing burden to the city. REX.