National Republican., 1883-04-20
rHE Mas on ruE AvENuE.
small TAIN About Men and Measure,

Bodwell and Collins granite companies In
government contracts, but that on revision
pen line is drawn through the name.
For instance, in the paragraph relating TO
various enormties alleged to have been prac-
ticed to the profit Of tho Bodwell Granite
company at government expense, q thin ink
mark indicates that the following words have
been eliminated: james G.. Blaine is or was
interested in the company and profted
largely by the transactions
"Now submit is not that cowardly way
Of attacking q manB character2 If Murch
didn't believe his charges against this man
as originally drawn could be proved, why did
he not entirely obliterate those portions In
which reference Is made to him, and not
leave the print staring every chance reader
in the face9 1t is not right.
Then, again, when mention Is made Of
wrongful advantages being taken of the gov
ernment by the Collins's Granite company
these words appear, with thin line drawn
through them to show that they are not
part Of the charges: In which James q.
Blaine was largely interested Now, wasn't
that mean. Gen. Buffers name is usod in the
same dscrcditable manner. Mr.. Blaine can
not do less than 20 before the investigation
and demand an erasure Of the printed words
which reflect on him, scratched though they
arc. His reputation is assailed almost as se-
riously as though the pen had not been used,
and he is left in position where he cannot
defend himself excepting by one Of those
dramatic charges for which he is famous. II
l were he would feel like storming the
treasury building and demanding instanta-
neous vindication."
st~
The first thing that strikes stranger on
walking or driving through this city is its
clean streets and the contrast between its
well preserved and neatly swept thorough
fares and tho muddy and dusty streets OF
other cities grows every day. Not long ago
one Of the foremost editors Of the countrys a
man who has done more healthy, vicious
kicking against "bossism" In general and
/" Boss" Shepherd in particular than any
dozen persons in the nation, paid Washington
visit. He remained in tho city several
weeks and fell in love with IL. One day he
met an old time friend to whom he dis.
coursed with all the fervid eloquonce Of a
young lover on the beauty Of the city, the
wholesomeness Of the place. There is only
one thing the city lacks" he said in conclu-
| sion.
| "What is that?" asked his companion.
! "a statue of Aleck Shepherd on every street
corner. have abused him worse than any
man in the country, but am now prepared
| to do him the justice of acknowledging that
he has made Washington the most magnificent
city of to-day"
! learn, by the way, that some Of our citi-
zens are quietly preparing to give Gov. Shep-
hefd q royal welcome to Washington, should
he return here next fall, and there is reason
| to believe he will make flying visit to the
scenes Of his former triumphs and disap-
pointments. The old soreness seems to be
wearing away, if indeed, 1t has not entirely
| disappeared, and there are enough men left
in the district who swear by their old gov
ernor to make him feel he Is welcome when
he returns home.
About 45 per cent. of the land of the
United States remains unsurveyed to this
day-very nearly 1000, 1000, 900 acres in all
| Tho mountainous section of the far west Ia
included in this billion acres, but on the
other hand hundreds of millions Of acres Of
arabic territory are as free from tho touch
of the surveyors chains as when Columbus
landed. In Minnesota alone there
remain 12, ,oo0, 900 acres unsuryeyed, in Dakota
sc, 900, 900 acres, in Montana S0,000000 acres
and in the Indian territory 369, 100000 acres,
a total srea OF considerably more than twice
as large as that of the thirteen original states.
Clearly there is room for more people in the
United States without danger of anybody
being elbowed into the sea.
ms~
Washington is a natural headquarters for
sportsmen," observed veteran hunter as he
patted his favorite fowling piece affection.
ately, "and they are dropping to it all owe,
the country. There is the finest shooting in
the world, or, at least, as fine shooting as any
reasonable man can want within a few hours
travel of Washington any time in season
The region drained by the Potomac,
James, Rappahannock, Patuxent. and
other streams emptying into the Chesapeake
and connecting waters is a natural refuge fol
game. There are eighty or ninety private
cunning clubs in Washington city for all
know, and they have each their favorit,
grounds in the region described, or in thu
east shore counties of Maryland. Cobb Islant
can be reached in a day and half, ant
as everybody knows, game abounds there IL
inexhaustible quantities. Duck and smallej
birds concentrate about the salt meadow
along the sea shore at and near Cobb islant
and in the Marshes and there is literally n,
end of sport, while there is to be found th,
best fishing in the world. Snipe, woodcock
quail, wild turkeys, and reed birds are to b,
found In great numbers down the Potoma,
and up any of the creeks below Washington
within very few hours drive. Farmers ar,
hospitable and will board hunting parties a
reasonable rates, although some of them tax,
malicious satisfaction In causing troubl,
for violators OF local game laws, and II woult
be we'll for sportsmen to road up on county
game regulations before venturing into tn,
out districts.
"The inhabitants Of Virginia and Mary
land are overaowing with stories of wonder
J full hunting adventures that occurred 'befor,
; the war Nothing that has happened sine,
the war begins to compare to the marvels o
ante-bellum days in their eyes; but as
matter of fact the hunting is as good now a
it ever was, excepting for q period of fou
or five years after the war. Then tn
= whole eastern part of Virginia was wilder