The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-05-03
nuR WASHINGTON LETTER.

Polk, the door-keeper Of the House, who,
like his predecessor, Fitzhugh, must re-
tire to private life. While it is a mat
ter Of indifference TO chronicler who
becomes the Gin" or "out," yet Colonel
Polk has had our sympathies at all
times, for the pressure brought to bear
upon him for places by his political
brethren has been fearful. Trying to
please all he offended all, so down he
goes as quickly as an aristocrat in com
munisiic hands, aud the result will be,
Of course, another exciting contest for
succes-orship to his place. \ good deal
of bad blood was exhibited 10y his friends,
and there is "a strong Indication that not
one Of the "Outs" instrumental in Sc
curing his dismissal will be elected in
his stead, aud that, as usual in such
contests, some one who has held wholly
aloof will prove the fortunate man.
Mr.. Frye, of Maine, made one Of the
happiest speeches of the session upon
Mr.. Polk's case, and so wittily did he
arraign the Democrats for alleged viola
tious Of rules and laws which they com
pelled Polk 10 commit, that erybody
Joined iu the applause and laughter. II
is not often that both sides of the House
can appreciate political wit directed
against one party alone, yet Mr.. Frye's
hits were heartily enjoyed on the floor,
as we'll as iu the galleries.
Two ladies have been appointed on
the board of visitors Co the government
insane asylum by Secretary Schurz.
THIS is emiueutly proper for nearly
one-half of the inmates of this institu-
tion are women, and 10 is fitting indeed
that women should be designated TO
watch over the Interests OF such uuior-
tuuates. In this board now are three
ladies, Mrs. Briggs lOiIviaj having been
appointed last fall, and we feel assured
The recent addition 10 it of Miss Ray
moud aud Mrs. Gauguver, two we'll
known ladies iu our District charitable
circles, can only be productive of good
results. These ladies have always occu-
pied "a prominent place here where will
ing hearts and hands We're needed 10 re-
. lieve suffering and distress, aud though
. the management at the iussue asylum
. is good-as good as any similar asylum
iu the couutry-yet woman's iutui-
tion and perception is certainly required
ia the care OF her dementei sisters.
The naval observatory will be re
moved. The House committee has re
ported favoubiy upon the proposition
to locate 70 upon more elevated an,
healthy site, hence its removal from iu
present historical position in the middl,
of our river front 90 more suitable spo
is mere question of months. Tearin.
down aud building anew is the rul'
here, aud soon few OF our ante bciiUD
buildings viii be left Us to remind Us %
the past. so with other land marks
one Of these is large vacant area o
low grounds lying south Of the Capitol
Congress has just appropriated $1,000
for its improvement. This area Is AT
offensive eyesore To all visitors TO TIM
Capitol, for % is destitute OF building
save some few old shanties broken an,
dilapidated by age, in which live some %
the worst elements of our society. Tina
part Of the canal which the old board q
. public works did not succeed ia getting
, filled is here with its filth aud miasma
aud we are glad indeed that Congres
: will complete the work Of burying an
hiding everything upon it with a dee
J covering of clay. 1t is constant quer
of visitors why does the city have sue
b ill-favored grounds so near the CapitC
, as these, and yet the city is powerles
o to improve them because they belon
! 10 the government, which is the la.
party here to beautify and embellish il
n waste places. Private enterprise an
o taste have always been in advance
' Congress, which has ever followe
: slowly in the march Of progress inar
II gurated in the city 10y citizens. In Coz
.t gress is always a set of men who b
e grudge the expenditure Of dollar E
. any purpose, just as if the city vi
K bound to improve what the governme
IS owns. The Capitol should stand in q
~ center Of our architectural and landsca
=. improvements, aud yet it is 1auked
g waste places, and particularly so on q
le south by these low grounds. To till q
J. horrible canal is one great step torwar
/ aud others must soon be taken.
-r Mr.. Mcpherson, chief Of the Cover
~ meut bureau of engraving and Printin
~ has again been before the House cot
mittee on banking opposing the ehol
Of the New York bank note compani'
~ who wish TO divide the printing Of 90
,e ernmeut money. That the goverume
n- eau do all its own printing cheaper "a
a better than to divide it, no one who !
,i tens 20 the pro aud con arguments C
"a deny, aud il is singular why any leg
he lator should wish 10 give these privs
rs corporations q share Of it. Nothing
- to be gained in auy respect by the 60
he ernmeut under a division Of its printir
OF while the dangers OF loss and count
feitiug are most materially increasu
The only sound plea made by the ba
he note companies is that they need {
Ter printing, aud as question Of char
TO they might be given it, certainly
~ upon any other consideration.
ly An interesting divorce suit appe
I'd in our courts. Mrs. Mary X. Mem
applies for release from the bonds
o, mairimony on the grounds Of crue