The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-10-16
Washington, Letter.
WAsH1NaroN, d. C., Oct. 10, 1879.

pleasant. The screening suns OF July |
md August had put the parks into q
premature sere and yellow leaf, but
,he milder weather of September, ac-
as it has been by plenty of
has rejuvenated the face of
nature and now the parks, squares and
lawns are smiling with the beauty of
June. It is just the time to see the
city in its best, and fresh faces meet us
in all the places of public interest. Be-
sides these we encounter many famil-
lar faces which belong to the returning
summer absentees and remind US how
rapidly the session of Congress ap-
proaches. The visitors who come to
us now, it is safe to say. are not politi-
clans; they are people who come here
to see what manner of city Washing
ton is when the lawgivers are away.
The first place they make for is the
Capitol itself. Here they find the
legislative chambers and the various
other public rooms in q rare state of
disorder. There are always certain re-
pairs and alterations to be made not to
mention the necessary changing at the
close of the session, and this year the
work was delayed by the extra meet
ing of Congress which lasted until
July. tee d' e. tA7- aaf4 Z
The elaborately ornamented grounds
about the Capitol are very lovely now,
contrasting strongly with the disorder
in and around the building. New
walks are being finished and old ones
relaid an immense new safe has been
put in for the House of Representa-
tives; some new statuary has been in
troduced, and many changes made in
the rooms. The ventilating of the
Representatives Chamber is being
greatly improved. A lobby has been
made by tearing out the partitions be-
tween the reporters the Sergeant-at-
Arms and the Speakers rooms, with
windows opening to the outdoor
world !; the Speakers room has been
the folding room. An open fireplace
has been built back of the Speakers
desk, and various other decided Inn
provements inaugurated. A new elec-
trical lighting apparatus for the dome
has been completed and tested. It is q
" dynamo electric'' machine, with an
illuminating power equal TO $4,000
candles, and is similar to smaller ones
with the Intensity of 1000 candles re-
Gently purchased for the lighting of
the halls and chambers of the Capitol.
The latter cost $500 each, and were
purchased out of an appropriation OF
s., 400 for the purpose, and the remain
der will, it is thought, pay for the
larger one. The apparatus will occu-
py the west part of the dome, and will
command Pennsylvania avenue for a
long distance. 1t is expected that,
with electricity instead of gas, the
dome, the rotunda and the halls will
be better lighted than ever before, and
that the cost of the same will be less.
ened. Speaking of the dome of the
Capitol, the old italian artist, Signor
Brumidi, who painted the allegorical
figures in the apex, and who has been
at work here for the last twenty-siz
years, is still engaged on the figures in
the rotunda. His work is done on q
platform suspended sixty feet from tht
floor. He is old and feeble, and sits in
a chair while at work. Some time
aincA -ha had very narrow escape
from a sudden and terrible death. His
platform consisted of two stages, the
communication between them being
by ladder. On this occasion he was
seated in his chair on the upper stage
and, in leaning over to give the finish.
ing touch to figure almost out of his
reach, his chair slipped and turned
over, and he only saved himself from
dropping down below by catching on
a round of the ladder, to which he
clung till help came. He is quite old
and feeble, and lately told gentleman
who called on him that he did not ex-
meet to live to finish the great work on
which he has been 20 long engaged.
Military and government circles are
a good deal agitated over the Indian
difficulties which have just broken out
afresh. This time it is the Utes OF
Colorado ana the White River country.
The murder of Major Thornburg, agent
Meeker and all the whites at the agen-
cy is another of those cold-blooded
atrocities likely to occur at any time,
so long as our Indian policy and sys-
tenn of management remains what it il
now. The Utes have heretofore been
regarded as friendly, and the principal
chiefs are still 80. Seven Of the chiefs
were here In Washington less than .
year ago remaining two weeks at the
fremont House, where met and con-
versed with Them They were feted
and feasted, and given receptions with
out number. They also attended
church and made speeches to the Sun
day Sehool scholars, and before leav-
ing for home the Interior Department
gave them each q trunk an overcoat
and 500 in silver. One of this same
party, Colorado Chief" is now the
leader Of the Yarlike band on White
river. The others, among whom arc
chiefs Sam'' and Billy" remain
friendly. Both Of the last named out
rank Colorado in the Ute councils.
The principal chief, " Ouray" is not q
hereditary chieftain, but holds that
position by reason of his great ability.
He superseded Colorado a few years
ago, and the latter has since been sui
len, reckless and violently opposed to
tho oiviIizatinD nf h;c frib< r oow q
great many of these Indians while in
Colorado, and learned much of their
habits and condition. They occupy a
reservation comprising several mi
llions acres of the best lands in Colora-
do, but are generally opposed to culti-
waiting the soil and very jealous Of the
encroachments of white prospectors
and settlers. Dom PEDRO.