Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-02-11
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 1892.
To the Editor Of the Free Press
The chief topic on all lips here o-day, is
Mr.. Biaiue's positive withdrawal of his name
from the national canvass. Such an
nouncement has, as you know, for some
time been expected by those who have
known the precarlous condition of his
health, his frequent depression Of spirits,
aid his conviction that another canvass for
the presidency would kill him before the
end OF the summer But so many others
have claimed with almost equal positiveness
that he was all right in body and mind; and
that if nominated he would stand that many
shrewd observers have hesitated which to
believe. His withdrawal from the field is
welcomed, as at least q relief from sus-
pense and by five out of every six poll
ticians and statesmen at this cen
ire OF national politics, it is bs-
| lieved to make certain the denomination
| of President Harrison. The high character
| and success OF his administration are rscog
nzud by all. His course in the Chlian
| trouble has made him many friends, and he
stands higher to-day, beyond doubt in the
regard OF the people, than at any previous
| time Still there are other republican as
pirants to the presidency, and it is by no
| means plain that the canvass will be a walk
over for Mr.. Harrison.
| More than two months Of the session have
passed, and Congress has little to show for
1t. The Senate, it is true, has done good
amount of work; has passed ~ bills, and
has some important measures in various
stages of progress. The democratic House
has only reached the preliminary point OF
| the adoption of its rules of business; and it
does not intend to do much except investi-
| gate republicans and accumulate what po-
lItical capital 1T can make out of attempted
tarlf reductions and free coinage bill.
No part of the inaction of Congress is due
| to the representatives OF Vermont. Sena-
| tor Morrill, is industrious in commit
| tee work, and his speech on free
silver is still much talked aoout, as one OF
| the wisest and wittiest speeches of the ses-
sion. Senator Proctor has introduced a
number OF important bills, relating chiefly
| to army matters-amoug them the bill for
a military post in Vermont, which he ex
, poets to become Jaw; and though the grip
mas left him with less than his usual strength
| he is one OF the most attentive and indus
trious members of the Senate Gen. Grou
returned last Friday from Vermont whitn
er he was called by the death of relative
He is on one of the most importa ant anC
head worked committees-that of appro
| priatlons-und Is one OF its most useful
| members. Judge Powers is rapidly making
friends and getting the hang OF the rope
and is already recognized as one of the
| sound, bstantial and soon to he widell
influential legislators.
The ex-contederate general Heth and NJ a j
| John c. Stearns OF Vermont, appointed un
der al act Of Congress to locate the battle
lines OF the two armies at Antietam hav,
| Learly competed their labors The lines o
| 4J commands have already been located
and they are industrou,ly engaged in Sc
curing through correspondence with hving
commanders the exact position OF othe
| troops engaged in this memorable fight
| Major Stearns has been very ill with grip
, but is much better and gaining strentt
steadily.
Gen. William V. W. Ripley o. Rutland il
here with Mrs. Ripley. after stay OF
month or two in Florida. The general
| whose skill fisherman is weli-known
| "kIlled' two tarpon, one OF which weighed 10
pounds, in the waters of the gulf, OFF Punt
| Gorda, and lie was in the boat with the MAJ
| who caught tarpon of the almost uu
prec.dented weight of 204 pounds, the othe
day IN those waters. lie goes soon t
Southern California with his wife to spen
| the rest of the winter. Ex Senator Eu
muuds, as he has informed some of hi
friends here, expects to sail with his fam
next May for Europe, inten ling to spen,
next summer on the continent.