The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-11-23


WAsnrH0Tox, Nov. 1881.
For the next four weeks, Wash
ington will devote herself almost eu-
tireiy to afixing" for the session.
The President has gone to New
York some say to vote; others say
for a purpose romantic and matri-
monial. One thing is certain, he
cannot vote, for be has failed to reg
ister, but who will say he canrot get
married? OF course the elaborate
fixing" that is going on at the
White House-new carpets. fresco-
ing, furniture upholstered in old
gold, regilding, and other exquisite
details Of beautification-may have
nothing to do with a permanent fe-
male occupant. But the personal
interest taken by the President in
the new installation of the old man.
sion would seem, at least, to indicate
that he knows something about
mural decoration. and the aesthetic
befitments of the home of-of-welI,
let us say the Executive of a great
Naticn. Perhaps he will live alone
for three years and four months in
these splendid halls and luxurious
boudoirs, but it is the most inap-
propriate cave for an anchorite that
Satan ever invented. Furniture has
been ordered from New York. and
it is expected that everything will
be completed, and the mansion
ready for occupancy, by the 10Th
inst. The East Room, with which
visitors to the Capital are most ia
miliar, will be refurnished through
out, and the wood work will be
carved in modern and elegant de-
signs.
All the Government Departments
are being repainted and placed in
proper condition for the winter.
But it is not the Government alone
that is laboring to improve the Ma
tional seat of government, and pre-
pare it for the thousands of visitors
who come every winter to spend a
few days or a few months in WASH
ington, to engage in its fashionable
gayeties to view its historic and
architectural monuments to see its
art collections, and, especially, to
hear, in the two legislative halls Of
the Capitol, some men who, though
living, are historic. Such are the
power and facilities of the press that
men and history are given, as it
were, by instantaneous photography,
to dwellers in hamlets, and our pub
lie men may see the judgment of
posterity in tie criticism or the
praise reflected from the factory, the
farm house and the miners camp.
To return from this disgression-I
began to write something about the
private improvements and of the
growth of the city. Real estate
agents say that such activity has
not been known here for several
years. There are at this time fewer
houses vacant than ever before, and
all houses situated in desirable To-
calities are readily rented at prices
ranging from five to ten per cent. in
advance of the prices current last
year. The class of houses sought,
too, are of a higher order than those
in demand last season. The north
west section of the city seems to
lead, though in Georgetown and on
Capitol Hill the demand is steady
and the prices a little in advance Of
last year. SO great is the demand
for residences in the northwestern
section that man., still uncomplet-
ed, are already rented. During the
past year a larger number of sub
stantial dwellings, have been erected
than in any season Tor years. The
outlook for building next season is
bright, and argues well for the ad-
vancement of the Capital of the
country. &. \. :,