Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-17
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.

w AofINGION, Oct. 10, 90
The legislative city upon the banks {
the Potomac, is again the center toward
which wandering feet and eager thought
are bending. At each successive season
rehabilitation of the national city, the of
mooted question is raised, "whethe
Washington is the best site for the nation
al capital" and this is not an appropriat
moment to predict, though the selection
of the location for the federal city of tn
union was shortsighted and mistaken, it
fate is fixed by the memorable logic 0
facts. It's roots have struck so deeply t,
the soil as to be Unacceptable of remova
by human hands. This question of remov
ing the capital TO Illinois. Missouri, O
Kansas, has been extensively discussed
and will be continually talked of; bu
the city has grown to such dimensions as
TO make these debates fruitless and un
practical. The amount of money expend
ed In erecting the capitol, the patent
office, the war, the state, and navy depart.
ments the post office department, the
white house and many other government
buildings is SO enormous that even the
financial resources of this gigantic and
growing nation would feel the strain
of sinking such immense sums. No city
in the United States has grown more
rapidly or improved more substantially
since the war than this, and the winter
season attracts so many fashionable visitors
to the national capital in December and
January, as Newport or Long Branch can
DO ,st of in July and August.
The preliminary agitation which fore
tells the approach of the social season in
Washington is very marked just now
During the hot days of July and August
and September the capital city lies in a
sort of trance. Not until the refreshing
breezes of fall begin TO blow do the alb.
senlees return or the city awakes to a
realization of its mission. The Rip Van
Winkle sleep of the summer is over, and
the city reawakens. The habitue of
will observe various indica-
tons OF this fact. Vacant houses are
becoming very scarce and rents have
gone up, showing that the coming throng
is engaging winter quarters. One of the
II slitutions of Washington, the auction
sales of household goods are crowded by
eager buyers of second hand furniture
who are either boarding house keepers in
'nct or in prospect. They are getting
'eady their furnished rooms for the
'ujourner. The hotel clerks have put on
heir regulation smiles and heartiness in
place of the atribiious pensiveness with
which they have been afflicted all summer,
They may now be seen posing behind the
in attitudes which suggest "This
lyle full cabinet, Sc doz 4n,' and they
re ready to charm the traveller into
his stay.
Besides all tins business of the city,
nlirely local trade, is reviving, and
he shopkeepers are animated at the
prospect of an accession of rich and
xlravagant customers. Congress brings
n its train many of these. People who
ONE easily by large salaries or grow rich
n government contracts. Claimants who |
ct paid. Pensioners who get so much |
ack pay in II lump that they DO not know
ow 10 spend it fast enough. Besides
here are many who have fortunes at i
heir command, who merely come to look
nd idle away the winter. All these are
aluable customers, and the tradesman
nd stolekeeper are getting ready TO wei
ONE them. Besides this there are other
gins of coming events from social view
'hich are noticeable. The residences OF
ne rich classes which have all summer
1own solemn and unblinking expapse
closed blinds as to the upper stories,
nd Il lonely detected servant or two on
'atch in the easements, have opened
leir eyes so TO speak, and show signs
inner domestic life even to the outside
bserver. Those who have the entree to
lese grand houses find the family return
d and all the pleasureabe anticipatons
the coming gay season are being talked
yer with excitement and delight. These
linss show the "season" is at hand.
I'D observers say that it is to surpass all
theirs in brilliancy. The long session OF
ongress is always the gayest. There is
lore time to consume. The next elect
ons are two years off and the new
lember feels safe for that length of time
lie can bring on his family and enjoy
imself. Perhaps he will make his mark
n congress. Even the presidency might
o to worse man he thinks, and so at
his opening session of new congress,
he curtain will soon 90 up on the play
where society moves over the board in all
he varying phases of hope, ambition, and
isplay.
At the coming session of parliament Mr..