Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-01-31
IN OLDEN TIMES
How congressman FarsG in Washington
Eighty-TW0 Years Ago.


Eighty-TW0 Years Ago.
Washington Star.
The following private letter written in
the beginning Of the present century, by
one member Of congress to another,
gives an interesting picture Of the con
ditiOn of Washington City at that time.
From the contents it would appear that
there were scarcely any facilities here
at that time for obtaining home comforts
for travel or getting necessary supplies,
and all the city had to recommend il
was the fact that it was the seat Of
government. WashingtOn's house, re-
ferred to as being the only boarding
house on Capitol Hill, which had not
failed, is now part Of the Hiliman House.
1t will be seen that the Seven Buildings
which stand at the corner of Ninteenth
street and Pennsylvania avenue, were
landmarks of the day, and that the Elk
ecutive Mansion was called simply the
Presidents house. Samuel Latham
Mitchell, the writer of the letter, was
born on Long Island, in 1868. He was
professor of chemistry and natural his
tory In Columbia College, New York,
and a practieing physician with large
practice. He was a Representative il
congress from 1901 to 1904, a Senator
from 1904 to 1909, and again a Represen-
tatiye from 1910 to 1913. BE died Sep
TENDER s, 1881.
John Smith, the recipient of the letter
was a General of militia of New York, q
member of the State Legislature from
1884 to 1893, a Representative in Con
gress from 1889 to 1904, and q Senator
from 1904 to 1913. He was appointed
United States Marshal for New York in
1913, and died in 1916.
New YoRK, October 80, 1802.-hIy
DEAR SIR 1 very much fear the project
of taking an House at Washington VIII
be attended with too many Inconven-
fences to be attempted during the ensu-
ing short Session which you know can
not exceed three months.
Here are the difficulties: if we get an
house we must buy Kitchen furniture,
dlning-rOOm apparatus, and Beds and
bedding for our private Chambers. In
addition to all this, we must purchase our
pots and kettles, plates, glasses, knives
and forks, carpets, Chairs & tables ct
New York and send them by Water to
Alexandria. And supposing all this
done, what shall we do with all our
things at the end of the Session. Really
my friend feel staggered at the thought
Of all these purchases and preparations.
Further, upon this plan, NE must Pur-
chase our Potatoes, -four, Beef Pork,
Salt-hshs apples, Wine. &C &c at this
Place and send them on also. How
shall we manage all this2 What fare we
shall have, I know not. The Postmaster
General was here two days ago. He In
forms that there has not been 8 house
builtOnthe Capitol hill during the Recess
and but threeE or -four, and those mere
huts, near the Presidents house. IhaVe
been told that all the boarding houses on
the Hill except Washington's have
failed.
Well believe we must take our
chance and rough 1t as well as we can.
If the Hill should not suit us we can try
the Seven buildings or even GeCrpetoWn
upon pinch, q the exercise will do as
service. We have lost Mr.. Low from the
Hill, ne has gone to England.
My information from Cadiz a few days
ago leads to a belief that the Spanish
captures Of American ships viii be put Ia
a train of settlement. This VIII be good
for the merchants and for the admins
tratiOn. Granger says that In Connect
cut there VIII, In q twelve month OK two,
be certainly Republican House Of As
semblyl What think you Of Rodney5s
success in DelaWare2 This is the second
time that that State has been divided by
the number Of about Is or I6 votes.
Steady citizens.
If agreeable TO you, we win travel on
together, and you may drop me q line Of
the day you viii be in town. If Your
other friends are not too 1mportunste
with you, / should be glad you would
make my house your habitatiOn,
Yours truly and respectfully.
SAIL W. MITCHELL.
To Gen. John Smith, Fire Place,
SufOrk County.