Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-05-24
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

EIGhNE HALE, u. u. G0RlIAM,
Chairman. Secretary.
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OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence of the Bulletin
WASHINGTON, d. G., May, II, rs.
Under the pressure of the revived
Presidential issue the stagnation in the
House continues. 1t is not to be sup
posed that any business Of practical
value can now be gotten through with |
Indeed, any effort in that direction is
looked upon as breach Of sanity. 1t is |
a common spectacle to witness several
dozen members crowding themselves to
the front, with loud voices and wild ges-
tulations, trying to get themselves rec
ognized, while twice as many others,
installing their desks for foot-stools
put their neither eXtremities in the ascen-
dency. Anyone DESTROYS Of witnessing
a mimic of their schCol-boy debates,
should sit in the gallery awhile 1t is
exceedingly comic, to see their efforts
But when the fact forces itself upon
you that this is the American House of
Representatives, it becomes extremely
ridiculous. We wonder whether Mr..
Potter thinks he is commanding our ad-
miration. when, pushed up front, he,
bowling and blandly smiling, waves his
hands from east to west as he delivers
himself on the momentous question.
Or does Mr. Conger feel himself visibly
distending as he digests this stuff and
reads the papers. Every moment we
expect him to suddenly snap at an inno-
nocent fly that may have indiscreetly
alighted on his nose. His face suggests
the idea Of Capitalization. He has at
tended so many political meetings that
the lines Of his face, which concentrate
call, No doubt there will be enough
morals growing out of this contest to
found new sect upon, but that which
is the most extensive is contained in
the abominablc waste Of public energy.
We presume, however, the thing is to
90 on until the Democrats get the con
troll, and afterwards waste away in
froth, to be sprinklcd over the next 30
litical canvass. In the meantime the
great interests Of the country must go
neglected until this is all over, when
these will come slowly dragging up, and
finally get hearing, unless more politi-
cal nonsense like the present should be |
sprung, which is not at all unlikely.
Winnie Ream is to be married. We
are glad, if it is to make her happy. We
Washington people have sort Of pro
prietorship in this fair and talented
sculptrcss, and anything that affects her
touches rs also SO we look upon Col. !
Hoxic with somewhat Of jealous eye,
and hope her happiness may be entrust |
ed to better hands than was that OF
Desdemonia Of old. Hoxie never did
valicnt deeds like Othcllo, growing
bloodthirsty from having slain his
scores Of the gallant enemy, but is
merely one Of West Point S redoubtable
heroes who let volunteers do all the
fighting during times of war.
Prof Henry's death leaves vacancy
here which it will be difficult to supply.
AS President Of the Smithsonian lnsti
tute, since 1864, he has stood at the
head OF our Nations scientists, and has
merited all the h0Dors which have been
heaped upon him. So mild and aifable
were his manners and appearance, that
strangers who met him were at first I'M
able to comprehend the greatness Of his
intellectual powers Such, at least,
were our first impressions, and we
thought surely he must be one whom
accident, not force Of brains, had ele-
waited to his high and honorable position,
but further acquaintance soon showed
us our error, and we have since been
one of his warmest admirers. Intellect
10
him for refined associations with his
fellowmen, but Prof. Henry's inter
course with friends and strangers has
always been characterized by truest po-
likeness and nobleness Of manner. We
are asking who will be his successor?
Washingtonians naturally want none
but really great men at the head OF our
political and scientific departments, in
asmuch as Washington is fast becoming
one of the grand central points of inter
est to the country at large. Years ago
the Capital offered nothing to the visit
or beyond what Congress alone furnish
ed But, since the war new order of
things has been established, and Wash |
ington will repay a visit to the intellect
ual man as well as the politician, through
the gradual accumulation here Of librar-
ries and scientific matters generally
We must pay tribute to another citi-
zen, whose spirit has just winged its
way from earth to the land of rest
Hon. John Robin Mcdaniel, lately of
Lynchburg, Va, died suddenly of apo
plexy, on Tuesday afternoon, aged Y
years. He has been one of the most
prominent masons in the country for
many years, and, prior to the war, figur
ed largely also in the political and finan-
cial matters of Virginia, his native
State. Our acquaintance with him be-
gan immediately after the war, and dur
ing four years station at Lynchburg we
found him always one Of Natures
noblemen.' He had been an cnthusi-
astic, jealous and effective believer in
the Confederate cause. Yet, when the
fortunes of war dissipated it's bascless
fabric, he, without hesitation and
murmuring, accepted the results,
and every federal soldier at the Lynch
burg Post found in him always the
staunchest of friends. His house was
ever open to us, and no one hcsitated to
accept his genial Inequalities, because
each felt that they were extended by an
honest man, whose courage and broad
views elevated him above the cowardly
herd whose low prejudices prevented
them from acting noble and manly parts
in the political situation. We join in
casting our sprig Of evergreen upon his
grave, trusting that upon the eternal
camping ground of the other world, his
tent may be spread upon the highest
place, where his true merit may ever be
seen and known.