The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-10-10
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

One Of the landmarks Of the National
Capital is the famous Washington Monu-
ment, begun three decades ago and not yet
half finished. It looms up, in incomplete
grandeur, visible from any part of the city
and for a dozen miles or more down the
Potomac, an example of great undertakings
and small accomplishments. Two years
ago Congress appropriated 100000 for the
completion of the monument, $4,000 TO
be expended upon it each year; but when
preparations we're made TO begin that work
of completion, it became known that the
foundations were insecure and must be
strengthened under ground before they
could safely support the finished structure.
Accordingly, last year an additional ap-
preparation of $4,000 was made for that
purpose specifically, which, the Monument
Commission have now decided, is not
sufficient money FOR the work. It is to be
at once commenced on that, however, and,
when it is expended, operations are TO be
started on the monument proper. Two
years money, 100000, having accumula-
ted, but the time it is used another year s
installment will be due, SO considerable
can be accomplished, and there is no
plausible reason why the work may not
now go on 10 its finish uninterruptedly.
The monument, as originally designed,
would be the grandest of any on this side
the ocean, fitting memorial of our first
President fttingly located and orna-
mented. 1t is outwardly plain white
marble shaft, Bunker Hill Monument
| shaped but inside, the walls are tablets
of different kinds of stone, inscribed with
various sentiments, carved, engraved, OIL
plain, that have been presented by differ
ent States, counties, and Kingdoms all ovel
the world as testimonials of regard for oul
Republic and its founders
All through the summer the White
House has been as dull and silent as {
banquet hall deserted" no portions ope1
save the first large corridor and the grea
East Room where the linen.carved furni
ture and tarlton-draped chandeliers re
mined one of past splendors and gazette
departed Everything was in good order
of course, and the handsome ground
without were'perfectly kept; but there wa
everywhere evidenced an unspeakable
silent not-at- home air, such as one can see
indeed, in and about many another grea
establishment here during the =umme
months. But week before last the Execu
droning and took on the busiest, livelies
tone imaginable. The Presidential famiI
+ returned, visitors came and went, continua
axe-grinding went on, and the ushers an
) door-keepers were stihed with cards c
callers. And last week, Saturday III
, climax of activity was reached whe
} the presentation of the Chinese Embass
to the Administration took place in til
Blue Room-loveliest apartment in tn
White House The actual scene was yer
: much like all that are witnessed whe
r foreign diplomates are officially presente
= to the President, the ceremony and forma
r ism being similar; but the costumes of til
e Orientals were curious and picturesque
the extreme. Pagoda hats, loose blouse
. slashed skirts and baggy trowsers. tt
e Embassador, Chin Ian Pin, wore richs
and finer clothing than the rest, hat beir
). plumed and jewelled; blouse, velvet CO
4 lored skirt of heavy silk, and trowse
: elaborately embroidered, while at his sic
hung a dagger with sheath and hilt thick
It studded with diamonds and other precio,
e stones. This Chief Embassador is aho
e 20, stout, portly, and pleasant counte
e anced. RICHARD.