The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-11-07
Washing gtOn Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. l, 1878.

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WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. l, 1878.
The scenery of the woods immedi-
ately surrounding the city is simply
Jack Frost has tinged
each leaf with his brightest touches,
aud. particularly on the cliffs on the
Virginia side of the Potomac is to be
seen continuous and gorgeous pano-
rama of brilliant coloring. The GRIM
son and red and yellow of the dog
wood, the oak and the bard wood tree
are toned down by the dark green of
the pines and cedars which mingie
with them and attract hundreds from
the city to witness their peculiar beau
ties. Along the bank of the canal, on
the District side of the Potomac, the
Government, many years ago, made
broad smooth pike from Georgetwon
up to the Chain Bridge, distance of
four miles, and this roadway, some
what like the famed Shell Road at
New Orleans, invites every hOrseman
who would try the PAGES of his animal,
or would, amid most beautiful and
picturesque surroundings commune
with the invisible forms of nature.
From Washington southwark the Po-
tomac has no scenery. Its banks are
low and rarely rise higher than few
feet above high tide and generally
there is no valley as the low pine clad
hills, which characterize Eastern Vir-
ginia and Southern Maryland, slope
down to the waters edge with mo-
notonous and unattractive appearance
which soon wearies the visitor. But
above the city the river banks are as
rugged and rock-ribbed as Bryants'
ancient hills, and now when Indian
ummer is decorating them in gorge
GUS colors and tints, and dreamy haze,
we fancy the stranger in our midst
will appreciate that Washington has
natural as we'll as artificial beauties to
attract and please the eye.
We are panied to learn that d. G..
Cox, who was formerly Pension Agent
here but was rotated out of Office last
June by Mr.. Hayes to make room for
General Witcher, of West Virginia, is
now an inmate OF the insane asylum
at Columbus, Ohio, where he formerly
resided. These who knew him best
;,,f hn OIL 1soa1 hot
his great gifts of mind would not alone
suffice to save him from wrecking HIM
self upon the shoals of appetite, and
that without reform which he seemed
unable to make, it was only ques-
ton of time until he would reach men,
tai and financial ruin. Intellectually
often seems but an aid and helper to-
wards an Unsuitable appetite for alco-
hol and the bright genius of Dick
Yates, which the demon drink years
ago buried here in deepest dissipation,
was but one Of the many who fell
through strong drink, though strong
enough mentally to rule the nation
wisely.
The famous Willard's Hotel is again
leased and will be opened about No
vember Goth by the lessees, Messrs.
Bresl1n and Cook, of New York, who
propose to make it again what it al
ways has been the chief house of the
city. This house has had singular
| biSinrv If wac orocta.7 opI D-oo1
by the brothers Willard, who accu.
mulsted fortunes through the immense
patronage extended it. But from some
cause bitterest quarrels and animosi.
their leasing the hotel and occasional
closings through the failure of tenants
The last lessee, Mr.. Cake, made large
profits, for his rooms were always
crowded, but his outside ventures
swamped him financially and since
May last the house has been closed
1t now reopens under most favorable
auspices and we doubt not will thiI
winter be the headquarters of every
important lobby which full Treasury
may invite here for plucking pur
poses.
Since 1865 a species of the Rinder
pest has been prevalent, to a greater
or lesser extent, among the cattle il
this vicinity and becoming more viru
lent than usual. The attention of oul
health officer has been drawn to it fol
the purpose OF ascertaining how fal
our milk supply is affected by it
| Many dairies have been broken up BY
| it, and as milkmen here have no more
conscience than those of other cities
it seems most essential that the milk
from diseased cows should be debar-
red from sale by some power other
than the interests of dollars or dairy.
| men. 1t is fortunate for the country
that the COW plague does not possess
the dangerous contagiousness which
characterizes the disease in England
or Holland, or it would spread to
other States. One farmer may lose all
his herd Of cows and, yet not neigh
Dor be affected injuriously. But we
opine it will, unless stamped out by
law, eventually become strong enough
TO create an epidemic, and consequent
widespread disasters. The Govern
ment should make 1t subject of ex-
haustive Investigation and such heroic
treatment as it meets in England some
years since the Commissioner of Ag-
riculture met with this difficulty in his
Investigations; the farmer on appear
ance of the disease would at once send
the animal attacked to our market for
sale for beef. We cured the disease
by eating the patient.
DEMoCRATES.