Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1881-02-12
rsSS--TFIE OLD TIA MILY JOURN AL.
rISHIYGr0Y LETTER.
From our Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON. Feb. 9TH. 1881

Washington, Feb. 9TH, 1881
On Friday last the House passed the bill
making appropriations for the improvement
of rivers and harbors in the various States.
A bewildering array Of rivers, creeks, bays
and breakwaters were provided for-making
a grand total Oslo. 1S9 800; and were 1t not
fortherather serious aspe,tit presents to tax
PAYERS. it would be really laughable to see
how the little mill-streams have come IN for
share as well as the mighty rivers.
The resolution with regard to the elector-
al vote passed the Senate with but one vote
in the negative. This bill denies the right
of the Vice President TO determine the re-
suit of Presidential elections and il only
remains for the House 10 set at rest this
troublesome question.
Logan is still urging his bill to put Grant
upon the retired list, and there is some talk
among Democratic Senators of voting for
the bill provided an amendment will be
agreed to prohibiting Grant from ever being
called into active service. For my part
should rejoice 10 see him retired 10 the shades
of private life. But if that cannot be done,
then let him enter upon active service where
the forces are nearly equal, and short time
would show the emptiness OF his clam 10
any renOwn as a great commander.
Ash informed you in my last the prepara-
tons for the Inauguration are about COM
pleted A bill has passed both Houses
making an appropriation Of $4,000 for
flooring the new National Museum in which
the Inauguration ball will be held. Alto
eether it is proposed to make this grand
affair. Rather different from the way il was
done in the days of Jefferson, who rode up
up to the Capitol on horseback, hitched his
horse to a fence. went in, took the oath Of
Office. mounted and rode home again
Who she is or where she Is from no one
seems to know. but her Dick has established
line of coaches running with most of the
street car routes and have compelled those
mOnopoles to lower their prices considerably.
The smoothness of the asphalt and bitumi-
nous pavements here render wheeled vehi
Gle; ~ easy Of drIught a5 il Oh iron rails
The coaches are called the Herdic line and
are every day becoming more popular. The
driver of one of these vehicles has excited
much attention by wearing q heavy fur coat.
Il was rum0red that the coat was very
valuable one and originally cost one thou
sand dollars-being the sole relic OF al
immense fortune OF which the owner was
once the happy possessOr. TWAS whispered
that the man was Coal Oil Johnny but
that Fortunate unfortunate and foolish in
dividual has long been dead. 4 reporter of
the Post anxious to itcmize this grand
sensation, determined to interview this much
discussed individual When informed of
the interes, manifested in his affairs by the
public instead of being overwhelmed he was
simply Disguised only saying thatheneye
was any richer than he then wa', and i '..e
public chose to make a herd Of ....es Of
themselves over his old Brrc.alo coat. he
didn't "kccr durn." rus the beautiful
romance was shatterN TO the great regret Of
the sensational Cd nuncs but to Tie entire
satisfaction