Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-27
EAST OF THE ROCKIES.
What a Sacramentan Saw on a Trip to
the National Capitol.

Ine NATIONAL OhpAtoks
]. o. Coleman of this city, who has just
returned from trip to the East, was met
by RECORD UNION reporter yesterday. In
speaking of what he saw en- route, he said:
l wish to say at the outset that the best
railroad accommodations found anywhere
was on the Golden Gate special over the
Central Pacific, which left this city on
February 18th. Here are found every con-
venience imaginable, and it will not be
long before those vestibule trains will be-
come very popular with the travelling pub
lic The accommodations on the Golden
Gate special are superior to any other train
in the country, and all things considered
is the cheapest mode of travelling.
The first place at which | stopped was
Des Moines, Iowa. For two years past the
crops had been light, the profits were
small. There was less disposition to
migrate than there was two years ago.
He had been in Des Moines fourteen years
ago and noted on this last visit what had
evidently been a gradual improvement of a
substantial character.
He also visited Bloomington, ILL.,, a thriv
ing town, and Springfield, the Capital of
the State. The latter in the past few years
had grown substantially, and there were
marked Improvements especially in the
streets The Capitol building is larger,
cost more and is more imposing than that
of California, but in the absence of park
it fails to come up to the idea of the average
Californian, who is used to grand lawns
and luxuriant growths of flowers, plants
and shrubbery.
He arrived in the city of Washington Oh
Saturday. March ID, two days before the
Inauguration. The city was pretty well
crowded, there being delegations present
from all sections of the Union. The hotels
were fall, and they resorted to cots in par
lors and Railways. The arrangements for
the entertainment of strangers were most
complete, and the Committee on Public
Comforts was quite active. Contrary to
general expectation, the hotel and res
taurant charges were quite reasonable.
But, right here" remarked Mr.. Coleman,
wish to say that nowhere in the East
can you find as good and as cheap hotel
accommodations as you can in California.
He went to the Capitol, sent his card in
to Congressman McKenna, who soon
joined him and made the day pleasant
one. He was proud of CALIFORNIA; delega-
ton. They all stand well at the National
Capital, and Joe McKenna is looked upon
by politicians of both parties as one of the
safest and most influential members of
Congress. He was the central figure in the
Sullivan-Felton contest. He handled the
case in mastery manner, proved himself
TO be an able parliamentarian, and the op-
position had to admit his ability.
Mr.. Coleman says he was particularly
struck with the perfect manner in which
the Committee of Arrangements provided
for the proper observance of the inaugural
ceremonies. Notwithstanding the drench-
ing rain, the procession was three hours in
passing given point. Ropes were ex-
tended along on each side of the wide ay-
enues through which the procession passed.
and policemen were stationed at every fifty
or seventy five feet. Thousands of Grand
Army men were in line, many of them
walking upon their crutches.
Mr.. Coleman had seat on the platform
to the rear of the President but says the
entire literary portion of the programme
was spoiled by the rain. The fireworks
were postponed until two days later, and as
the delegations stayed around the Capital
for several days, it seemed general Holt
day for week.
Mr.. Coleman said that the general i'm
preston in Washington seemed to be that
General Harrison wonld make an admir-
able Chief Executive. He seems to grow
with acquaintance just as did his candi-
dacy during the campaign. Then whenever
he said anything it helped him, AND he
made no mistakes. He is very agreeable
gentleman personally.
He called on the President in company
with Representative McKenna, by whom
he was introduced
We've been waiting three quarters of an
hour" said Mr.. Coleman, land agree that
you will be a very tired man, and will be
in need of rest. We invite you to come
out to California"
I'D start to-day, if l could" was the
Presidents reply.
Santa Barbara had citrus display in
Washington during the week, which was
visited and admired by thousands of peo-
pie.
On the sth he left the capital on the Bal
timore and Ohio Railway for the place of
his birth, Hopkinsville, KY. He found
that the country was developing beyond
his expectations. In the past twelve years
il had more than doubled in population,
and the business portion had been renewed.
There was a general complaint of bad
times. yet there was every evidence of pros
perity.
From Kentucky he started for California
by the way of Kansas City. Here he found
a city OF remarkable growth wonderful
proportions and business enterprises In
the State of Kansas the depots of the rail-
road company, as general thing, are con-
structed of stone and of an attractive style
OF architecture. The people there COM
plain Of having had two or three bad sea-
sons, but the improvements one sees on
every hand, the elegant farm houses and
outbuildings, would indicate that 1t had
been and was yet a prosperous country.
On his return 10 California he came by
the A;chison and Topeka, via Los Angeles.
He had not been in Los Angeles for twelve
years, and having heard so much of that
section in the past two or three years he
desired 10 verify the reports by actual in
spection. 1t seemed TO him when he en-.
tered that valley that he had struck an
entirely new country. IL was all that
she had been painted and more.
II was the garden spot of all others that he
had seen in his trip of thousands of miles.
He felt ashamed OF the northern papers
that had ever said sighting remarks of Los
Angeles, and felt proud that he was Cal
ifornian and that Los Angeles was por-
ton of his adopted State. He had no fears
of its permanency and outcome.
1T does man good" he added, ito go to
Washington. One feels better satisfied
with himself and the country. 1t is pleas.
ant to realize that the Nations Capital is
the most beautiful city in the land, to say
nothing OF the great public buildings. 1
thought when was there that we ought
all to lake pride in identifying the Capital
OF California. Nearly everybody in the
State gets to the Capital at one time or an
other. Congress can't do too much fol-
Washington; and in the same manner the
Legislature ought 10 be liberal in its ap.
preparations for the identifying of Sacra.
mento."
What Did We Do With It?
EDS RECORD UNION: The report of the
Chief Engineer of the Water-works to tn,