The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1882-06-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
June aDth, 1882.
MIR. EDITuR.-Washingto sur
roundings are even more attractive
than the city itself. and drive over
the hills of Maryland a jsunt on the
Virginia side, boat ride up the Poto-
mac, or AN excursion down the river
to Mount Vernon or Fortress Monroe,
any and all, are picturesque in the ex-
treme. In this great capital city, there
il scarcely any feature Of it or its sur
roundings which will not arrest the
eye Of the observer. or which Is not
worthy Of comment and attention. 1t
II city Of sharp contrasts. Its pOpu-
lation is l6O,OOO, and passing to and
fro on our crowded streets are the fore
most men of the nation, and the most
lOwly Of the city's poor. The great
capitol building, whose huge white
dome, rs II glistens in the morning
sunlight, casts its shadow over the
poor negro rag-picker's howell. In the
worst parts Of the city, known as
"Hooker's Division" where lewdness,
crime and debauchery hold sway, the
home missionary, with courageous
and ,launtless spirit, had taken his
stand, builded chapel, and is carry
ing on to-day blessed work Of refer.
nation among those whose sins are
a. scarlet; and is instructing the friend.
less urchins who there exist surround
ed with such terrible temptations and
dangers. Here, palace and and hovel
stand side by side, and fashion prom
enades the avenues with the poverty
clad.
You will permit me to say a word on
fashion, and l will give you "the Ia
test" Among the ladies', the "Pa-
thence" hat preiominates, which re-
sembles, TO my eye. a hay-mow rained
on. Laced boots are again revived,
both in stout material for long tramps
In the country and i'm fine kid for the
street. a great many wrappers made
from fancy blankets are being pre-
pared for Use at the seaside. Red, blue
and gray blankets are alike used for
these, and the border forms the trim
ming. For the many hued parasols Of
last year, Is substituted big japanese
fan, large enough To form II perfect
shield from old SOILS rays, and eclips-
Ing n first-class hotel steam table fan
as n breeze producing implement.
Among novelties in lingerie are EliZ-
abethan and Marie Stuart rufis, made,
x0iiie Of lace and Others of exquisitely
embroidered India Muslin. They are
kept upright by means of a very fine
wire covered with gauze and run along
the edge. Some Of the spring styles of
the b. b. Overwhelmingly straw hats
Tor men, look almost ~ ridiculous as
the famous wash-tub arrangements
worn by the gentler sex.
Our city markets, are at present,
plentifally supplied with strawberries,
gOOseberries and raspberries. The
former are abundant and cheap, sell
ling As low As five cents quart; the
latter having just appeared command
high prices yet. Market prices for
the necessaries Of life are high. Beef
steak is thirty five cents per pound,
butter forty cents, and potatoes $3.50
per bushel.
l wish to say q word of an exceed
ingiy picturesque spot near Washing
ton, which I had the pleasure Of Wis
iting In company with party from
the city,-Cabin John Bridge,-de-
irving Its name from that Of All old
settler, whose log-cabin once stood
where the east base Of the structure
now Yests. This bridge Is q single
span, forming the largest stone arch
In the United States, and second only
to one other in the world. 1t serves
the, same purpose as that Of High
Bridge In New York. 1t was built In
1853 by General Meigs, and from
base to base Of the arch the distance
b 20 feet, and II Is IS feet high.
Water for the city's use Is brought
rom the Great Falls of the Potomac,
eighteen miles above. the city, and II
. for the purpose Of supporting the
conduit scross the deep and wide /.
,orge which II spans. that Cabin
John Bridge was built, az well n for
purposes oftravel. The roadway from
he bridge to the city, is along
hahn Of Maryland hills, furnishing
II the way . view Of the Potomac:
,ere . series Of rapids, and Of the Il
,irRinia farms and hills on the other =
ide. ~
The River and Harbor Appropria- {.
ion bill has passed the House, only =
orty-seven members voting against
T. final passage. We had the good
ortune 10 have Q comfortable seat In
he gallery while the discussion Of
he bill was going on, and noted the
Of the members to vote
lown every amendment which was
proposed to reduce the amount or any
{ the separate items Of the bill. The
III. . passed by the House, appro-
riates about seventeen and One-half :
,iilion dollars-the largest amount
ver voted for such . purpose-and
, this updoqbtedly will be sided two
r three millions In the Senate. i
"a ....s that the prp~islo0t and The