The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-06-18
WASHINGTON.
OUR SPECIAL LETTER.

OUR SPECIAL LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c., June IL, 1881.
The dullness Of the summer months has
already settled upon the Capital, aud the
past week has chronicled nothing new in
the world Of politics. The Conkling trouble
has become an old story, and with the ex-
ception Of perhaps an inquiry Of chow has
the voting gone to-day" no reference what
ever is made to it. With but few exceptions
Senators and members of Congress have left
for their several constituencies and dust
reigns supreme in the marble halls of the
Capitol. Yet Washington is looking beauti.
ful and even more fair as the season advances
The cool, wet weather that has prevailed
during the past week has brought out the
foliage in its verdanoy and strength, and
our avenues aud streets are "just too lovely,
for anything"
Our resident portion will be beautified by
two fine residences which are to be built for
members of the Cabinet. Mr.. Blaine of the
State Department is to have constructed a
new house to cost $4,000 and Secretary
Window is to reside in new $25, 900 man
sion, This is good for business in many d-
rections as it inspires speculators in real es.
tate to improve property in the neighbor.
hood in which these houses are to be located
as people are sure to turn up who desire to
reside somewhere in the vicinity of these
gentlemen.
The success attendant upon the "Win-
dom's," as the new 81 per cent bonds are
now called, is really very wonderful, and
Secretary Window can feel that his admin
istration ofthe monetary matters of the coun-
try has placed him in the front rank of f.
nanciers. According to the terms of the cir
cular from the Treasury Department dated
May IL, 1881 ,holders of five per cent coupon
and Registered Bonds have untilth lst day
of July next an opportunity of having them
continued in the 81 per cent bonds. The
interest will be paid at the rate of per cent
until August II, 1881, at which time it will
cease and all bonds not sent in for continu-
ance will be paid for on presentation at the
Treasury of the United States, or at any of
its branches. The Chief of the Loan Divis-
ion of the Treasury Department reports that
up to date about 35,OO0,O00, five per cent
coupon bonds have been received for con-
tinuance. Most of these bonds are held in
the hands of foreign capitalists, quite the re-
verse Of the six per cent bonds which were
taken at home by our own people. Secre-
tary Window has been absent in Minneso-
ia for some days, but will be at his post it is
expected on Monday next.
The Star service Investigating Committee
have discovered another instance of gross
extravagance,and Postmaster General James
has issued orders to the effect that certain
service shall be discontinued whereby $780,
900 per annum will be saved to the Govern
ment, and whereby no detriment in the
slightest degree will be occasioned to the pos
tai service. At this rate the large deficit oil
over 81 100000 which existed in the Post
Office Department last year will be soon
made up, and the Postal Service will be'a
self-sustaining institution. So much foi
having practical men at the head of affairs.
The Regents of the Mount Vernon Estate
the former home of Washington have
been holding their annual meeting at that
place for the past few days. The receipts
which arise from visitors during the pas
year amounted to $40, ,s34.50 and the expen.
dtures were $l0,223.5O. This amount ha,
been used in keeping the place in perlec
order, and it is great resort for parties ben
on pleasure excursion, as Mount Vernon
is situated on the Potomac RIVER about II
miles from Washington. A fine steamboa
runs the year round at moderate charge
making access very convenient and agree
able.
The arrears Of pensions act, which wa
originally framed as a piece OF buncombe
and with the idea that under the circumstan
ces could the total amount called for by i
exceed $3.50, 900, 900, bids fair to the most ex
pensive legislation ever enacted by Congress
| 1t has been an enormous drain on the Trea
sury from that day 1t was put on the statute
books, and it is estimated that the defci
this year will reach $50, 900 600. There arr
men walking around Washington every day
attending to business without the least in
convenience and with no preceptible injury
who have received hundreds and thousand
Of dollars under this act. The we'll known
habtue ofpublic places here, who served il
some imaginary capacity during the war
received 5000 because one of his fingers wa
a little stiff, or supposed to be so, and spen
tho whole amount in a dinner at a fashion
able restaurant to few of his boon com
panions. What is seen here in the lsvisl
and grossly fraudulent distributson Of th
public money under the provisions of thl
act is only a sample Of what is taking plac
all over the country. Yet after all there i
little real cause to regret the legislation. !
our revenues raise all this money withou
direct taxation, and are still sufficient to re
duce the public debt at such a rapid anC
satisfactory rate, how can it better be dis
pensed The money comes from source
that can afford 10 pay it and goes out amonl
the people who need it and who put it il
circulation. If there has been some frau,
and ifsome ofthe beneliciaries are unworth,
the fact still remains that good has beeI