The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-08-02
Our Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent

!
WASHINGTON, July Goth 1851
Many provincial people suppose that
the city of Washington consists chiefly
of Congress. At the date of this writ
ing, three weeks after adjournment,
they are doubtless of the impression
that things must be duh here. Such
may have been the case in that prim-
tive time reminiscently described in
some sections of the country as "befo'
the wah, !" but it is not so now. Penn
svlvania avenue is the pulse of WASH
ington, and view Of that thorough
fare any pleasant afternoon from three
to six o'clock gives an infallible dag
nosis of the condition of the city
Judged by this standard Washington
is now quite lively. Few have yet de-
parted except Congressman themselves
with their domestic followings. The
fact is so far as purely social matters
are concerned, Washington has out
grown its dependence upon Congress,
and is rapidly achieving a status indie
pentendent even Of the presence of the
Departments. People are beginning
to realize that while this country may
have many commercial capitals it can
have but one political capital, and
that there is charm about living
ut the seat of Government nowhere
else to be experienced. The effect of
this is seen in Il constant and increas-
ing influx Of persons Of wealth and
leisure who buy and build residences
and make permanent homes here.
The costliest house here designed for
purely residential purposes is that of
w. W. Corcoran, who is the wealtmost
man in the District of Columbia. His
great start as capitalist was made
during the Mexican war, when he bot
Government bonds far below par and
held them until they were redeem
ed at their face value OF late years
Mr.. Corcoran has INDUCED his taste
for art and his fondness for public
charities. He founded the Corcoran
art gallery, the Louise Home for aged
ladies, and has contributed largely to
other similar institutions 1t would
be difficult to find two men more UNI
like in disposition and habits than Mr..
Corcoran, and the man who is suppos-
ed to be his rival in wealth. Joseph
Willard is a miser and he alone knows
what he is worth. He lives in Il plain
old house, has no friends and no
haunts, takes no part in the public
enterprises, never speaks to his two
brothers, in short, meets the world at
us few points of contact as possible.
His sole aim is to accumulate money,
and in this he has been marvelously
successful. He owns one half of VIII
lard's Hotel, a large quantity of real
estate in the District, and is the larg-
est holder of Government bonds in
Washington. Few residents Of the city
have ever seen this old millionaire, for
another of his eccentriclties is that he
rarely leaves his house in the day time.
Senator Don Cameron, Justice Mat
thews, ex-senator Window, Ex-Sccrc
tary Robson, Senator Pendleton, and
Hon. William Walter Phelps have
built expensive houses here, but Sec
rotary Chandler is | believe the only
Member of the Cabinet who owns the
house in which he lives. Ex-Sena-
tor Sharon of Nevada has srecently
been in Washington to look after his
real estate, and he found that he rank
ed next to w. w. Corcoran as the
largest taxpayer in the District.
Several years ago when Sharon and
and Stewart were in the Senate they
formed syndicate with several other
rich men and bought up land which
was then little better than an open
common. On that ground now stands
the Blaine mansion, the British Lega-
ton building, Stewart Castle and
many other magnificent residences. 1t
is said Ex-senator Stewart has made
more out Of his Washington real cs-
tate than out of his Nevada silver
mines.
The other day in reply to inquiries
made by Il gentleman who wished to
buy Il certain property the real estate
agent replied "You will have to pay
Il pretty good sum for that. 1t is
only half a mile distant from the
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