The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1886-04-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.


The people of the Capital have had
another fight about the Washington
monument. A rumor spread like Wild
fire that the noble structure was crack
ing and was doomed. 1t stands
between the Potomac river and Bab-
cock lake, and the recent heavy rains
which have saturated its foundations
and raised the surrounding waters
naturally gave credence to the report.
At different points in the city crowds
of people were scrutinizing the monu-
ment through opera glasses. What
appeared to be the largest hssure or
gaping crack, was about fifteen feet
below the 500 foot level. The sensa-
ton soon subsidized, however. The
dark streaks on the white marble were
not cracks at all. They were only
stains at certain vertical and horizon
tai joints caused by neglect Of the
cleaning process on the part Of the
workmen in their haste to complete
the structure. The interior of the
monument is now practically CON-
pleted. The iron stairway leading to
the summit is to have ten elevator
stages, each of which will run out to
the elevator shaft at every fifty feet Of
the ascent. Upon the completion of
this stairway it was intended to afford
the public every facility for seeing the
monument by issuing passes, and pro.
viding those who wished to climb to
the top with a lantern. But as there
are no provisions for keeping watch
man on hand, every opportunity would
be given to vandals and relic hunters
to deface the structure, either by tam
pering with the memorial stones or by
writing their names upon the walls
Whenever Congress provides custody
for the monument, and makes an ap
preparation for running the elevator, i
will be open to the public and visitors
may roam up and down it at will.
All the gossip about a new Secre
tary of the Treasury will have to sub
side for a time. The President hold
to the belief that his favorite advise
will fully recover despite the doctor
opinion that Mr.. Manning will neve
be able to assist again at the Cabine
councils. The president does no
expect the sick Secretary will again b
able to devote himself so exclusivel
to business as he has in the past, bu
he thinks the burden of Mr.. Man
nings' work can be lightened by shift
ling it on others. At any rate tn
President will not even consider tn
subject Of a new Secretary, until MI
Manning indicates to him what h
would like to have done, and the la1
ter may name his own successor.
r The Library bill appropriates $500,
900 to commence the construction c
a building for the library of Congres:
on site directly east Of the Capita
1t creates a commission consisting G
. the Secretary of the Interior, tn
a Architect of the Capitol, and tn
Librarian of Congress, who shall b
authorized to make the contracts, an
it further appropriates sum Of nc
:. more than $55o,ooo for the purchas
of the land.
The bill to enlarge the White Hous
has been reported favorably to tn
Senate, and it is expected to pass tn;
body By unanimous vote. The popl
larity of the measure is explained b
the fact that nearly every Senator hi
> an eye of faith on the old mansion {
future place Of residence for hin
sell.
The Chaplain Of the House who's
morning prayers were creating SO muc
sensation a fortnight ago, and who h;
=. been praying quite conservative
n since, has made another invocation
which he gave deplorable picture I
the times. He stated that the mass
of men were drifting farther an
: farther from the churches. educate
men we're asking "is life worth living
4 and men in the market places we
] teaching the doctrine of despai
. pessimism, agnosticism and atheist
scarcely day passed but brought
light some new evil to crimson Il
face of tine patriot. After itemizing
long list Of the worst transgression
he closed by saying that divine CHAIR
took the form of machine and W
administered by proxy. and that o
\ boasted civilization was stained WI
! blots as black as death.
Apropos OF the subject, although
is believed throughout the count
4 Al. ..