Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1889-08-16
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. 10.

lhe Capitol, Is always an object
of the highest interest to visitors:
aud here continuous stream of
humanity come and 90, like the
restless tide as long as the pom
derous doors stand open to them.
Iimid brides shyly walk beside
their newly acquired husbands,
and with low voices speak of the
beauty of the Rotunda, and gaze
long and earnestly at the huge
paintings that are set in panels
around the wall; these paintings
are eight in number, each l2 by
Is feet-the landing of Columbus
at San Salvador, is the first of the
series, and was painted by John
Nanderlyn for which the Gov
ernment gave $4,000; DeSoto's
discovery of the Mississippi by
VIM. H. Powell, cost si2,oO0;
The baptism of Pocahontas, by
John G. Chapman, and the en-
barkation of the pilgrims from
Delft-Haven, each cost $4,000,
the latter was the work of Robert
w. Weir. Colonel John Trum-
oall, ald-oe-camp to General
Washington, faithfully represent
ented stirring events in the strug-
gle for liberty, in the four re-
naming paintings which are all
his work and for which he receiy-
ed $4,000.
The Senate Chamber. is COM
pletely denuded of carpets, hang
lngs and desks, while the clock
ticks out from beneath its paper
m ask, and pictures are wrapped in
ghostly sheetings. There are men
buslly at work upholste1 ing chairs,
and sofas upon the Senate foo r
while behind roughly built par
tltlon, corps of workmen are
polishing desks and making ready
for the extra session of Congress
to be called early in October. (?)
In the Presidents room everv
object has been freshened and
beautifed, while frames about the
mirrors and pictures, are lust
from the hand of the glider and
burnisher.
Statuary Hall is entered at the
south door from the Rotunda
This was formerly the House of
Representatives = and was con-
sldered of vast proportions when
built, and was occupied by this
Legislative body, until the House
extension was completed. 1t was
found to be badly constructed.
and public speakers soon dis
covered Its acoustic properties
provoked echoes, and whisper
scarcely audible to the ear, into
which 1t was breathed, would re-
sound over the entire hall. This
echo is source of amusement to
all who visit the Capitol, an tie
guides are kept busily employed.
pointing out echo stones,' and
IN giving instruction as to the
positions to be taken to secure the
best results. Here and there
over the tessellated floor, the
stones are found and usually a
number are in waiting to possess
positions, when the others are
displaced.
Washington is dull enough now,
with the President and Cabin t
away and the majority of her
citizens off at mountain or sea
shore. The heat has been slowly
increasing and the "stav at
homes" are closing up the fronts
OF o, their dwellings and whispering
their wishes in the retirement Of
the rear yard, and making believe |
to the outside world, that they
too, are rus5icating with their
more fortunate and fashionable
nelghbors.
The Pension Office is undergo
ing the pleasure of an inquiry by |
a a committee of investigation 1t
is not supposed, that it will be
able to discover any flaws in the
Administration of office liberalitv |
In constituting the laws granting
relief to old Soldiers certainly
should not call down wrath upon
the heads of those who are i'm
medlately responsible for the
proper Administration of this
branch OF the Government. The
years are flying by rapidly and
the nlmble, agile boys who shoul-
Tered their guns at their countries
call and went forth to battle, ara
growing old and feeble with the
accumulation of years and infrmi-
les, and the Government can well
'iford to be liberal and should be
ust to them and not treat them
Ike lmpostors, when they ask for
ustlee. at the hands of her officers.
corporal Tanner, was a soldier
nd he does not allow official pre-
erment to throw dust in his eyes.
CYMRo.