Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-07-25
our NATIONAL CAPITAL.

OAA IEAEtCtllGg OAl AlAU 1NA AAAcAss " AAlG
suit brought in our courts against Mrs.
Crandau contained an unfortunate error in
the statement that she was the wife of Col.
Crandall, the editor Of the National PIel0
the greenback organ of this city. We
are glad to say that the Mrs. Crandall in
volved is the wife of one of our city book
sellers, and not Mrs. Col. Crandall as she
has not been connected with any of our
Institutions in any manner since her remOv-
al here a year since. Our error of state
ment in cOnfounding names was shared by
our city reporters generally, and We are
pleased to make due correction as We do
not wish to subject any lady to the marti-
ficalion OF having her name enormously
connected with any suit lio matter If, as in
this par ieular case, there is no moiiye
actuating the plaintiffs but petty Jealousy.
We beg Mrs Grandalrs pardon, and ''wOn't
do 50 AGAIN
The extreme heat OF the past ten days in
connection with the yellow fever excite
ment at Memphis has directed anxious at
tention to the nuisance which exists in our
river front in what is known as the'' Flats"
When Congress about 40 years ago, per-
mitted the building of causeBay half way
across the Potomac as a part of the Long
Bridge it laid the foundation for the most
Infamous nuisance to be found this side of
the Memphis Bayou which nearly encircles
that unfortunate city. This causeway,
acting as dam, has caused a deposition
for mile above it of all the filth and sedi-
ment of the river and our sewers, which
now are barred 10 the hot sun every time the
tide is out, and as it covers hundreds of
acres whose exhalatiOns are carried over the
city with every breeze, a case of yellow fe-
yer here now would have such not bed of
corruption to luxurate and wax fat in that
nothing short of miracle would save Us
from sweeping epidemic of that dreaded
disease. Congress has been asked annually
since 1856 for some remedy against this
evil but without provision being made thus
far, and nothing short of some terrible cal
amity will ever bring relief Congress has
rather strengthened than weakened or les
sened this nuisance by turning the cause
way over to a railroad few years since
which rebuilt and increased its size and
strength in eyerywise. Nature has done
her part IN giving us site of great advan-
tages for a city but man has most wOfullY
tinkered with it.
The death Of Judge Humphreys one Of
our District Judges. has aroused another
fever of Office seeking among the lawyers
and a score or more of applications poured
in on the President before the deceased had
been buried. OF course our lawyers claim
one of their number should be selected but
under the plea that one half OF the District
is owned by the General Government which
pays taxes on that half precisely as the Dis
U-ict pays on its quota, outsiders are filing
their applications in manfur style from all
the States. All we have to say to you on
this subject is that if you send US the Judge
let, him. be as good a lawyer as Judge
Humphrey and Of as great integrity but
lacking his fOIbleS and shortcomings. No
one doubted his honesty and singleneSs of
purpose but he was so often untitled, by
his appetite to act AS Judge that we can
but hope his successor may be disciple of
Father Matthew. Why rot appoint Post
Master Genl Key in his stead. He has
proved an admirable executive officer, his
legal practice at home has been broken up
by his removal here aud particularly SO by
stalwart utterances in favor of the Govt,
and we see no reason why he may not re-
ceiye the appointment The President will
take his time filling the vacancy and may
yet determine Judge Key to be just the
man wanted.
The Democrats still swear that Secretary
McCrary shall never be confirmed Judge of
the vacant Iowa District, so we are not as
vet assured Gov. Ramsey Will receive the
War Dept portfolio. Well if they would
prefer to have that bitter partisan" re-
main Sec'y of War rather than buried in Il
Judges chair no one will object who knows
the pluck, vim and brains with which Mr.
McCrary is so largely endowed. The coun-
try can endure the affliction at least so long
as the brigadiers and worse copperheadS are
attempting to Subvert and nullify The laws
of the land at the Capitol.
A number of our citizens have subscribed
$25, 600 with which to organize and estab-
lish District fair this Fall on a, so-called,
national basis. 1t is intended to invite ex-
hibits from all parts of the country, and to
put the scheme one notch higher than any
fair ever held here or hereabouts. Ten
head of cattle, four horses and six colts, a
few vegetables, less girncracks and gewgaws
and an immense combination OF thimble
riggers, cheap Johns and patent soap men
etc., constitute the exhibits Of the usual
Maryland and Virginia fairs, but we pro-
pose to do something on grander scale
and will succeed judging by the calibre of
the men at the head of the enterprise.
Washington, July %, 1879.