Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-04-12
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence of the Bulletin.
n ~ Apr x W

~ OuUo w again VAOCOAAV"S3
for they have succeeded in GUST
the House, who, like his predc-
cessor, Fitzhugh, must retire to pri-
vate life. While it is a matter of indif-
ference to a c~hronicler, who becomes
the "in' or the "out," yet Col. Polk
has had our sympathies at all times, for
the pressure brought to bear upon him
for places, by his political bretheren has
been fearful. Trying to please all, he
offended all; so down he goes, as quick
ly as an aristocrat in communistic
hands, and the result will be, of course,
another exciting contest for his success
orship. A good deal of bad blood was
exhibited yesterday by his friends, and
there is a strong indication that not n
OF the outs" instrumental in securing
his dismissal, will be elected in his
stead, ard that, as usual in such con-
tests, some one who has held wholly aloof
will prove the fortunate man. Mr..
Frye, Of Maine, made one of the hap
piest speeches of the session upon MIR.
Folks case, and SO wittily did he ar
raign the Democrats for alleged viola
atoms Of rules and laws which they
compelled Polk to commit that every
body joined in the applause and laugh
ter. 1t is not often that both sides of
the House ear appreciate political wit
directed against n party alone, yet
Mr.. Frye's hits were heartily enjoyed
on the floor as well as in the galleries.
Two ladies have been appointed on
the Board OF Visitors to the Govern
ment Insane Asylum by Secretary
Schurz. This is eminently proper, for
nearly one half of the inmates of this
institution are women, and it is lifting
indeed that women should be designat-
ed to watch over the interests of such
unfortunates. In this Board now are
three ladies', Mrs. Briggs (Olivia) hav-
ing been appointed last fall, and we feel
assured the recent addition to it of Miss
Raymond and Mrs. Gangewer, two well
known ladies in our district charitable
circles, can only be productive Of good
results. These ladies have always oc-
cupied a prominent place here, where
willing hearts and hands were needed to
relieve suffering and distress, and though
the management at the Insane asylum
is good-as good as any similar asylum
in the country-yet a woman's intuition
and perception is certainly required in
the cares of her demented sisters.
The Naval Observatory will be re-
moved. The House Committee has re-
ported favorably upon the proposition
to locate 1t upon a more elevated and
healthy site, hence it's removal from its
present historical position in the middle
OF our river 'front.' to a more suitable spot,
is a mere question of months. Tearing
down and building anew is the rule here,
and soon few of our antebellum build
ings will be left us to remind us of the
past. So with other landmarks. One
of these is a large vacant area OF low
grounds lying south of the Capitol.
Congress has just appropriated $4,000
for its improvement. This area is an
offensive eyesore to all visitors to the
Capitol, for it is destitute of buildings,
save some few old shanties, broken and
de~lapidated by age, in which live some
of the worst elements of our society.
That part of the canal which the old
Board of Public Works did not succeed
in getting filled, is here with its filth
and miasm, and we are glad indeed that
Congress will complete the work OF
burying and hiding everything upon it
with a deep covering of clay. 1t is a
constant query of visitors, why does
the city have such ill-favored grounds
so near the Capitol as these and yet
the city is powerless to improve them,
because they belong to the government,
which is the last party here to beautify
and embellish it's waste places. Private
enterprise and taste have always been
in advance of Congress, which has ever
followed slowly in the march of progress
inaugurated in the city by citizens. In
Congress is always a set of men who be-
grudge the expenditure of a dollar for
any purpose just as if the city were
bound to improve what the government
owns. The Capitol should stand in the
centre Of our architectural and land
scape improvements, and yet it is f1anked
by waste places, and particularly so on
the south by these low grounds. To fill
the horrible canal is one great step for
ward and others must soon be taken.
Mr.. Mcpherson, Chief of the govern
ment Bureau of Engraving and Print
ing, has again been before the House
Committee on Banking, opposing the
efforts of the New York bank note COM
panies, who wish to divide the printing
of government money. That the gov
eminent can do all its own printing
cheaper and better than to divide it, no
one who listens to the pro and con ar
guments can deny, and it is singular
why any legislator should wish to give
these private corporations a share OF 1t.
Nothing is to be gained in any respect
by the government under Il division OF
it's printing, while the dangers of loss
tally increased. The only sound plea
made by the bank note companies is
that they need the printing, and as a
question of charity they might be given
it, certainly not upon any other consid-
Grafton.
An interesting divorce suit appears in
our courts. Mrs. Mary X. Mendoz APP
plies for release from the bonds of mat
rimony on the grounds of cruelty and
desertion, and that she was forced 10
marry Mendoz, who, with a pistol at her
head, compelled her to assent to the
ceremony, she being at the time only 10
years Of age. Mendoz denies all her al
legations of cruelty, %compulsion, etc.
She was a school girl, and he a Spaniard
attending the Catholic College at
Georgetown. Both were quite young
and handsome, and the marriage seems
to have been a childish act, which no
sane clergyman should have.been a par
ty to. The one who performed the GER
emory seems to have been one OF Il
street preachers.
: Congress has taken another step tow
ard the completion of the Washington
monument by an appropriation for
strengthening it's foundation. 1t now
seems that the work will go forward,
and that soon we will have the present
unsightIy structure finished. 1t is a dis
grace as it stands. The debate upon the
last appropriation shows that many OPP
posing congressman know nothing about
the facts involved, and are averse to the
completion of the monument because an
arch," or something of that nature,
would be q more befitting memorial of
the Father Of our Country. Ben. Butler
squelched one of these by some sarcas-
tic queries in regard to the place to be
spanned by the "arch," and desired to
know if the "arch" was to be similar in
u.A L. Al-A .-l:l:.-l L.. A. Go.l:aot