Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-05-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Irrom Our Regulnr correspondcrt. ]

WASHINGTON, May7, 1888.
II has often been said that spring Is the
time to zee Washington, aud this is Ger
tainly irNe. The city is blooming forth
like aower garden now and never looked
more beautiful. Nor is nny other city
equal to IT, The capitol grounds ARE now
among the most charming sights in Wash
inglon. The broad slutws Of the hill on
which II is placed are covered with long
grass, with violeis lav.shly planted amidst
H. All the squa'cs and gardens in Wash-
ing'un have tire effect of ratural as well as
artificial beauty. The flowers about the
capitol are not protected by wire fences,
and grim warnings of S5 fine for ,rending
ON the grass or plucking the flowers are
rare. Then plants and flowers are oplcu-
tiful that people have come to think them
necessaries instead of lnxnries. Ground
has been rroken in Dupont circle op,osile
Mr.. Blaine's for the statute of Admiral
Dapont. This corner Of the tewn has had
some queer vicissitudes. About ten years
ago the Stewart castle was built ON Dupont
circle, and was considered the palace at
Washington. The circle was lnid off,
lighted will, numerous lamps, and the
walks conoreted. II was meant TO be the
Belgrave square of Washington. Then
the Stewart castle took fire and burned
all the top off. For some years the splen-
did house was literally abandoned, and
Dupont circle became utterly desola,e and
forlorn. Then by degrees the houses on
Connecticut avenue began creeping up To-
wards ii, ard Mr.. Bnine put his mugnif.
ce,i palace down in front of it. There.
upon hig houses sprnng up all around, and
now tie Stewart palace is being repaired
and restored.
One of the most interesting places TO
visit in Washington now is the proppgaling
works f the United States fish commission
n, ,l'c old nrsernl. The question whether
fish can hear has often been discussed, hut
ii those who doubt would come TO the fish
commission building and see one of the
employees zap loudly on the side, nf the
t'nks thev would lie convinced. The fisl,
jump and hu'ldle together quick enough.
The jars containing the shad and salmon
eggs are the first objects shown. The sal.
mon eggs are about ns big MS French peas
and the slad eggs about half as big. The
shad eggs are transparent and one may
readily sce the fish itself in the egg. Next,
the ynling fish are shown after they have
are then extraordinary looking objects n
round ball with wiggle. .waggling tail.
Then in another tank are shown tile snl-
mon ready to he transferred to streams
and rivers. They are then about an inch
long and considered able 20 lake care OF
themselves. The salmon appears to be n
gregarious bird, like the walrus; thew
stick to the sides of the j,r or tank--in
which they happen 10 find Themselves
layers OF four or five feet deep. They employ
their adolescence in wagging their tails
they fondly imagine that they are to live
all their lives in tank and he fed at the
public expense in perfect security iron,
President Arthur and other well known
fishermen. This pleasing delusion j,
rudely dispeile, when they find themselves
transported to palace car. in which they
are carried to their final destination
There they find the difference between :
soft place at Washington and having tc
make living for themselves. The com
missioners are sending off their progeny
by 'he millions now to various localities
The attempt 10 grow salmon in certai,
southern waters is soon to be made.
II the future of our civil service com
mission may be judged by that body's re-
cent selection of chief.examiner the ont.
luok is not promising. Never wns a MGR
unfit and ridicnlons appointment made
The announcement of the name of Kien
caused broad smile all over Washington
where this cheeky snob is known. He no
only lacks the ability and qualification
for the place but has been for years a ma
chine man and the tool of machine men
hanger on to the skirts Of public me-
whom he cnltivntes and fl ,tters and fone
himself upon. His appointment WIS pro
cured by nm array Of political "irhuence
procured in this way, and is not yer
anspicious opening for body created I
: do away with "infnence" in the civil sci
vice. This man selected to manage Il,
, examination of applicants could not inn
= = self pass an examination for an ordinar
clerkship. Dom PEDRO