The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-01-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Written by wheeling Boy Visiting
the Capital.
Correspondence of the Register.

kAV SobAsAs
Correspondence Of the Register.
WASHINGTON, d. g., January ~.
Having had occasion TO visit Washing.
ton the present week, and having lew
moments of leisure, thought a few notes
from the Capital would be acceptable 10
your many readers.
observed the name of Gov. Matthews
on the books of the Riggs. State Sena.
tor Dennis is also stopping at the same
place.
What o grand structure the Capitol
is. Although your correspondent has been
through the Capitol several times, IN his
previous visits, he never so thoroughly
appreciated its great beauties until to-
day; one might wander through and ex-
plore the galleries and corridors OF the
building for week, and then still md
some pleasant surprise contained IN its
hidden recesses. l do not suppose that
there is finer oil painting in existence
than that by Powell, with Lawrence and
the battle of Lake Erie for its subject;
one almost believes the portrayal OF the
smoke and flame belching forth from the
huge sides of the ships to be
real, SO we'll is it executed. The eight
great historical paintings in the rotunda
of the Capitol are also very fine But
above all accomplishments of mans
genius and skill, the grand awe inspiring
statues of Sherman, the lawyer, Trum-
bul, the statesman, and Ethan Allen, the
soldier, stand pre-eminent AS you look
up at them you almost expect Sherman
TO address "Your Honor" Trumbul to
read aloud from the manuscript which ne
holds in his hand, and Allen to draw bis
sword, declaring it shall never be
shesthed again until his country Is free
and independent.
Speaking of statues, an amusing incl
dent took place recently. The interpre
ter was showing delegation of Indians
through the building, when they came
suddenly upon the statue OF a white man
and an Indian fighting over the dead
body of one of the latter's friends. AT
the sight of this the Indians became very
much excited and CRASHED their teeth,
scowled darkly and muttered In an
angry undertone to each other.
The Interpreter tried in vain
to draw their attention to group, on
the other side of the hall, representing
Penn making treaty with the red race,
but they would not move from the spot,
keeping their eyes intently liked upon
the struggling white man and Indian.
No business Of any importance is being
transacted by Congress, but they are
wasting a great deal of valuable time
over unimportant questions; the steam
boat bill is now before the House. Per-
haps the people Of West Virginia do not
know it, but they have in Col. Ben vii.
son one OF the most hearty and ener-
getic workers, and w.thal one OF the most
talented gentlemen of the House. He is
well calculated tc perfc rm the important
business devolving upon him and to sd-
vance the interests of West Virginia.
The entertainment given by the ltal-
ian Consulate last evening came near
ending in tragedy. Immediately after
the immense crowd of guests had de-
parted, the decorations above the dinner
table caught fire, and, it is said, if the
ladies had been in the room,
with their thin, gauzy dresses on,
the scene of the Brooklyn theatre would
have been re.ensted, for the great crowd
never could have escaped by the narrow
passages. However, as it was, the dam.
age was slight.
Nothing at all is moving in political
circles. A prominent Congressman re.
marked to-day that Hayes would hardly
venture to veto the silver bill, because 1t
would be passed by such an overwhelm-
ing maj ority OF both parties.
L. w, l..