The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-06-26
Washington Letter.
tfrrem our regular Correspondent.l

bing and hair-splitting amonk Con-
gressmen has disappointed those who
hoped for an adjournment of Congress
this week. II would be wrong to
charge the responsibility Of all the
foolishness of this session upon either
party, for both are certainly more or
less to blame; but It Is certain that 80
much petty squabbling was never
crammed into one short session before.
The time was, I suppose, when Con-
gress came together to consider the
best interests and dgreatest wants of the
country, and to devise means of meet
ing them; but in these latter days the
interests of political parties are the
ends aimed at. It Is one constant
struggle for one party to get an advan-
tage over the other, no matter how 1t
is gained, whether by falsehood or gross
Misrepresentation, or by downright
fraud. One-half the speeches made in
the houses of Congressman there Is
an endless flow Of gab-are insecure
harrangues, whose authors know their
| own statements to be unfair and un-
true. The people at large really care
very little for parties. 1t is the men
that live by politics who make all the
fuss, and for selfish ends strive to keep
alive sectional hatreds and all sorts of
animosities and prejudicies. The
country is in reasonably sound con-
dition, Notwithstanding the loud warn
ings of revolution and new rebellions,
and smashing of constitutions. There
would be much firmer feeling in
business circles if Congress would go
away and stay away for nine months
or year. Perhaps not one in ten of
those who read this has ever stopped
to think what the result of all this
will be where this Indifference of the
people and activity and scheming of
the politicians will eventually lead us.
Doubtless greater proportion than
nine out of every ten expect that this
great Republic will celebrate its second
Centennial.
Speaking of the National Centennial
reminds me that the regents of the
| Mount Vernon Ladies' Association,
composed of regents from the various
States, have just held their annual
session and made report of what has
been done about the old homestead of
General Washington. During the
year ending June l there has been
600 visitors, 2,l07 of which were
there during the month of May this
year-the largest number ever received
in that month. There are under culti-
nation 1S acres of corn, eight of rye,
seven Of oats, and ten of grass. Over
$4,000 were expended during the year
in repairs, which is exclusive of the
work done by the vice regents of Illi-
nois and Ohio. A noticeable improve
ment at Mount Vernon is the refur-
nishing of the apartment formerly
nsed by Miss Nellie Custis as music
room. This was done by Mrs. Broad.
we'll, of Ohio, and is known as the
| Ohio room. 1t contains the harpsi-
chord which belonged to Miss Custis,
and which was presented to her on her
wedding day by General Washington.
The entire furnishings of the room,
even to the peculiar lambrequins, are
correct copies Of the originals. Even
the mantel vases are OF the old royal
Berlin China, procured at no small
cost, because 1t is known that two sim
liar vases were also in this room. a
handsome cabinet contains a Toxic
incense jar and Capo di Monti
| cup and saucer, of great value, while a
large Venetian mirror rests against the
eastern wall. General Washington's
flute, mounted in ivory and silver, pre-
sented to the association by Mrs.
Washington, of West Virginia, has
been restored to its original position in
this room. The furniture is covered
with a fac simHe of the cloth which
was used when the room was occupied
by the Washington family. The relics
added during the year include suit of
General Washington's clothes, worn
by him when he delivered his farewe
address. They are of black velvet,
worn when he was in mourning for his
mother. The suit was deposited by
Mrs. Charlie r. Mitchell. of Charles
ton, S. c., sister of Mrs. Washington,
of West Virginia, vice regent, and a
great-great-grand-niece both of Gem
eral and Mrs. Washington. The vice
regent of West Virginia will complete
the suit by adding the sword which
was worn with it.
A movement is on foot to hold the
first exhibition of the National Fair
Association this fall, with every pros
pect of success. Last year Congress
passed an act incorporating such an
association, and it is proposed by the
incorporators to utilize the ground ut
Benni'g Station, near the city, where
there is already an excellent race
track. Undoubtedly such an enter
prise would excite general interest,
and prove of great benefit to the
people at large. Especially in the
matter of mechanical Inventions and
improvements, no place in the country
Is SO suitable for an exhibition.
| Thousands of men interested in such
matters come here annually to visit
the Patent Office and they could, with
no extra expense and little additional
trouble, contribute to this display il
lustrating the genius and industry of
the country. The National Capital is
the great natural centre visited by
people from every quarter, and the
idea of adding such an exhibition to
its attractions will become very pop
ular undertaking.
The horses presented by the Sultan
of Turkey to General Grant have been
here this week and have attracted a
large number of peopleito their stable,