The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-10-18
ecTA AELIsHED AUGUST "a, 1852.
Lieut. WiIllam,s Quarters, and the conyer.

Lieut.. Williams quarters, and the conver-
sation and observances were simply those
that prevail among well bred people any
where. Just before they called had paid
a visit to the Department headquarters OF
Gen. Miles ard his staff It being Sunday
none OF them were on duty. observed
gorgeorsness, and also the amplitude OF the
Department offices. Having passed an
hour at the regimsntal headquarters, after
the morning inspection alluded to, l was
curious to know why there was 80 much
Spartan simplicity and severity Of style at
latter and, per contra, so much Oriental
splendor at the former. The explanation
was interesting and serves as new illus.
tration OF how "kissing goes by favor" in
this unequal world. ltall results from the
loose way thearmy section OF the apprepri-
alton bill Is wordGd by Congress. So much
more is appropriated in gross, under the
several general heads for tue use OF the
army, TO be expended under the direction
OF the Secretary of War. While the whole
appropriation is based upon estimates
gathered by the War Department from
the respective ports OF the army
and by the War Department sub-
mitted to the Military Committees OF the
two houses OF Congreee. Yet the language
OF the bill approprlating the money to meet
these estimates does not say, as It ought TO
say, that the money shall be expended by
the Secretary ofWar, 10 accordance with
the estimates furnished to him for specific
purposes. On the contrary the monSy Is
Jumped out to him by Congress, and by
him IN turn Jumped out to the Division
Commanders, and by them in their turns,
after helping themselves, is Jumped out to
the Department Commanders. 1u !his
way It happens, that while Congress sup
posed 1t was appropriating 80 much money
ior quarters and barracks at vancouver, 10
accordance with the estimates furnished
from Vancouver, 1t turns out, as a matter
OF fact, that it was really appropriating
money for fitting up oriental offices for the
numerous assistants Of the Department
Commander. And thus 1t happens, a. 1t
seems, that ut the ancient military port OF
Vancouver, We have a case OF "shoeing the
horse and shoeiug the mare, and letting the
little colt go bare"
mid PLEASURES AND PALACES
While was roaming around in these
gorgeous aud oriental departmental offices,
and dreaming "I dwelt in marble halls"
and all that sJrt OF thing, I noticed that
one OF the Sybariles who ATS "midst pleas.
ures and palac s" therein had tackled up
this beautiful sentiment on his wall, as ex.
pressive Of his ideas Of modern knight
errantry.
Nevertheless, the Sune qualities which made the
Knights OF old make the s sntloHAn now. To speak
the Ve'y truIni 70 perform promise 10 the utmost
TO reverence all women; to maintain Iisht and
honesty, To be fair even u bitter Toe; 10 dEspe
lnrIrW To pursue MmpliCiiy and modesty aud gen
tleuesS OF heart and bearing"
This beautiful motto L commended to
the attention vi the officers OF tue Twenty
first who had called upon US, enjoining
especially upon them that the way to be
true soldiers was ito pursue simplicity and
to despise luxury; but somehow the differ.
ence between pref ept and example at the
Department seems TO be stumbling block
to them, aud they couldn't see it.
would like to speak in some detail Of
the very enjoyable evening spent at Van.
couver, at the house Of Col. Morrow and
also that OF Capt Dawney, but space for.
bids. | intended to take up part oil this
letter with an acccuat Of our voyage down
the Pacific coast on this good steamer, es-
peciaIly OF the exciting time we had croes.
ing the bar at the mouth OF the Columbia
river, where our vessel shipped consider
able sea and surged around at a rate for
awhile that caused a very general upheaval
lot dinner among the passengers. Out OF
over hundred that had answered to
the sound OF the gong at dinner time-be-
fore We got out Ot he river-not 20 ap
peared at the supper table. From this you
can Judge that we had pretty rough time
sure enough. Nov, however, the sea is
smoother aud we are skimming along nice
ly down The California coast, expecting to
pass in through the golden gate" about
sun rise tomorrow. A. VIC.