The Morning herald., 1878-06-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
lFrom our Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. G., June 26, 1878

WASHINGTON, ID. G., June 26, 1873.
From Eliza Pinkston to Agnes jerks ,and
from Kellogg to Jim Anderson, those Re-
publican leaders in Louisiana are a lovely
lot. In some respects Mrs. jerks is the
most remarkable of them. For two days
she has been questioned by Mr.. Potter's
Committe, and go far as one can judge
from her manner and her appearance and
the numerous contradictions In her testi-
mony, she does not know the difference be-
tween truth and falsehood. She tells the
most astounding falsehoods. Knowing that
everybody knows them to be falsehoods,
with as much GOODNESS as Hannibal Hamlin
exhibits when be asks for Office. She says
that she dictated the famous letter of Sher-
man, In which protection was promised to
Louisiana oftice-holders If they would steal
the State for Hayes. She declined to say
whether she dictated it to Sherman or not,
or for the purpose of giving Sherman a
model for letter to be written by him.
She was brought here by Sherman to testify.
She has been in the possession Of Sher.
mans Attorney since her arrival, but with
all the instruction he could give her, and
with all her readiness to swear, she has
damaged the Secretary. She would iDjure
any one she tried to favor. What manEer
of witness will follow her we cannot tell,
but so far as parties have tes titled before
the Committee no more wretched crea-
lures could exist. 1t was with this sort of
material that Republican leaders bargainel
for an "honest count"
Among those who have not made study
of this Districts relations with the Federal
Government, and do not know the true his
tory of the District for the last ten years,
there will be grumbllng at the fact that
Congress has assumed half our expenses.
1t will be an unreasonable complaint. sena-
tor Dennis, OF Md, said In debate that
sixty per cent. instead of fifty, should be
paid, and he knew what he was talking
about.
The population and wealth of Washing
ton were immensely increased from 1861 to
1865, but in the opening and paving of its
streets aud avenues, in its sewerage and iu
whatever else Of improvement goes to make
a city desirable as a residence. it was not
changed. Enterprlsing citizens built ex.
tensively from 1865 TO 1870. The District
authorities did something for the streets
and avenues, but soon found that the plan
OF Washington, which gives to such street
and avenues half the space within the city
limits, would not permit of the District
making the Improvements without bank
ruptcy. But the Improvements were ne
cessary and Congress In 1871 created q new
form of Government for the District. giving
almost absolute power to the Board Of Pubs
lie works, the members of which were to be
appointed by the President. Improvements
in grading, paving, sewerage, and orna-
mentation by trees and so forth were at
once commenced on grand scale, and car
ried on until the cost was some $25 ,000,-
600. The very magnitude of the debt, and
the impossibility that the District could
manage it, at last Congressman to inquire
into the responsibility of the Federal
Government, and, as result of thorough
inquiry we have the present just law. 1t
will enable US to 60 on with improvements
and make the city tle most beautiful and
healthful in the world, as 1t should be.
It is now known that there was great ex-
aggeration IN the report of an encounter be-
tween Gen. RAISER AID Representative
Acken, of Louisiana, at restaurant here:
Whether or not indiscreet friends of the
parties will force the two gentlemen to a
hostile meeting is st I'll doubtful. but those
who know them well do not belive there
will be such an encounter. The first re.
ports were particularly disgraceful to Mr..
Ackep, but they do not appear to have
originated with any of the participants, or
with any one who had accurate knowledge
of the facts. Mr.. A. made many frieuds
here In the brief time he was in the House
of Representatives.