The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-04-06
Our Washington Letter.
spring Expensive gHTestiga"
fious-A ShoG at Elie Texas z'sA-
cffse-GoinE Wcst-TIe Bell
Punch, Etc.

wAsHIsGroS, u. c, March IS, 1873.
EDITOR CHIEF
Spring has come, birds MARBLE
their sweet songs, and all nature is
being decked in gaudiest hue. Amid
all this wealth of joy aud beauty
there are many bilious Congressman,
with investigating turn of mind,
seeking everywhere to turn up some
hidden rottenness in public affairs;
$500, 900 of the peoples money squan-
dered last winter in such vain en-
deayors, and not less than three
fourths of million will be spent this
session by the investigating commit
tees already appointed. Each new
investigation ordered makes place
for favorites as clerks, messengers,
experts, etc. These men are all re-
formers and make loud speeches III
favor Of retrenchment and reduction
of the salaries of clerks, fixed twenty
years ago when one could live at half
the cost of the present time, and
when Congressman were paid only
SO per day. Wonderful consistency.
Let these men evidence their honesty
of purpose by reducing their own sala-
ries and leave clerks in the enjoy
ment of the beggarly pittanee they
now receive. Little seems likely to be
done in the interest of the laboring
classes, and it may be possible that
these demagogues may compel the
country to witness before the snow
flies repetition of the bloody scenes
of last summer.
The franking privilege will doubt
less be restored. The item of postage
to the average Congressman is large
draft upon his salary, and in this
time of economy it will be comforta-
BILE to let Uncle Sam pay the postage
bills.
The Texas Pacific Railroad scheme
is meeting with strong opposition
from influences that are now being
massed against it. The hostility to
subsidies, is very marked and it is
believed that the thirty second paral-
lei road can be built without any
government aid with this view it
would seem dangerous for any Con-
gresham to trifle with his constitu-
ency by voting to deplete to any ex-
tent the Government Treasury or
diminish the public domain.
The immense exodus of people of
all classes and trades from the dense
~ populated sections of the East
pouring a continuous tide into our
nndeveloped Western States and Ter.
ritories-is one of the most hopeful
features of the times. 1t will rid the
East of its superabnndance of labor
and settle the West with an intelli
gent and cultured civilization. NJ
more railroad grants, but let Uncle
Sam give every man farm who hal
grace and grit enough to enter /
homestead, heautify and embellisI
it.
1t having been ascertained tina
one-half of all the property in thi
District is owned by the Genera
Government, it is pretty well under
stood that Congress will provide tina
fifty per cent. of all expenses will b
hereafter appropriated towards th
support of the District Government.
A new financial agent "a la Kim
ball, but in n widely different field
has come TO the front in the ever
tinkling, truth telling bell puncl
1t has rung itself into notoriety i
the Old Dominion aud she finds heI
self receiving vast revenue from ii
use, at a time when her exeheqne
needs replenishing. Louisiana ha
adopted the invention, and its use i
this city is now nnder discussion.
bihulous individual may cheat b
wife or sweet heart and pass for
model of excellence, but confronte
with this ingenious monitor, lie hear
its verdict and the ringing of its rec
ord. Thus, retormatory influence
temperance, morality and fnancii
prosperity all cling about the be
punch.
The Capital is fast becoming
great art centre. Rev. j. Leonar
Coming, FOR years student und,
the old masters in Europe, is givin
course of lectures to an audfent
representing the culture and refine
ment of the Capital, introduciu
Pagan and Christian civilization, rel
resented by gallery of rare art i
lustrations..
Among many other specimens
American industry and invention
be exhibited at Paris are fighting in
plements and especially models
torpedoes. Although our destructi,
agencies are many and cruel, I'll
latest invention and the most wicke
must be credited to Lieut.. Palmer
the British Navy, who proposes to il
augurate a new method of wholesa
killing by delugiug a hostile vess
with petroleum by means of powerf
electors, and then setting fire to it b
the use of rockets.
Full length and life-siz pietur,
of Mr.. and Mrs. Hayes are on exhib
tion here which are to go to The Par