Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-04-21
The National Capital.

WAGHINGToN, d. c., April y, 1892
Ed. ReGister-Having recently re-
solved to write you short account Of
life in Washington with brief descrip-
ton of the city and a few objects
of chief interest therein, | was just
about to put my purpose into execution,
when upon reading a copy of the REG
IsTFR | learned therefrom that your
correspondent 3D." from your county,
who, as one of Uncle Sans elect,
abides in the Indian Bureau, had been
before time with me and given you
such a graphic description as to allow
or leave little from which l may select
to write upon. All patriotic Americans,
however, who visit our capital city be-
come so enamored with its natural beau
ties and structural grandeur as to wish
that all their friends might enjoy it.
The ground work of the city, its streets,
avenus, public buildings &c, were de-
scribed by ..D'' but owing to his arriv-
al here in the rustling and bustling
mid-winter season, he has yet to enjoy
the indescribable loveliness of spring
in Washington. The reign OF the
great ones in the world of art, learning
politics and fashion is about over, and
these must give way to quiet restful
spring. The doves have begun to coo,
old Sol is well passed the vernal
equinox and in very short time a
tropical verdue will burst forth in such
variety, fragrance and beauty in the
hundred or more ''parks, squares
'.circles," ''triangles, &c, that abound
in the city, as to far eclipse in genuine
pleasure, the gayeties of the fashionable
season.
Situated as Washington is, in mid
die latitude, not far from the Gulf
stream and nearly at sea level it is
well adopted to the growth of a rich
variety of foliage and flowers, peculiar
to many climes, and with the fostering
care of the nations and city's treasur-
les behind it, it may well surpass most
other cities in this respect. The mag
nificence of the buildings of state, the
numerous monuments, the museums,
the Incompatible streets &c, will, in
part, atone for the lack of large mer-
camille and shipping establishments in
the city, to which ID" referred; for,
is d residence city, not a
commercial one.
Were it not that the winter climate
aggravates pulmonary complaints it
would have no superior as a residence
city. This is the season when the peo-
pie are much out of doors recreating.
Every three or four blocks distant there
exists a square or circle where the
crowds rest and regale in
flowers. From s TO 9 A. NJ. and from 4
to p. u. about $4,000 government
are turned loose upon the
streets, to which is added a far greater
number otherwise employed and such
as have leisure, all of whom thoroughly
enjoy the city's advantages.
The civil service law is responsible
for the heterogeneous nature
of the public. Every state, and almost
every county, has its representative in
the public service. Not until yerytre-
Gently did Missouri have her full quta
Of appointments because of neglect to
them. Quite a little col
ony of Missourians can now be found
in every Bureau of the service, and you
know ..birds of feather etc" Clerk
ships pay from $1,000 to $4,000 per
year, for six and one half hours serv-
ice, and while the less price is little
money for Washington living, many
young men pursue a course Of law or
medicine at the night sessions of the
colleges here, and save a little money
for starting in business with when they
90 into practice. The civil service law
is impartially administed as regards |
but the influential
pull has heretofore been necessary |
to secure promotion. Nearly all really
good places are held by the soldier
so that ambitious and cOmpe-
tent young men must have patience and
wait.
Missouris representation in both
houses OF Congress and in the presi-
dents cabinet is everywhere ~ecogniz-
ed as creditable to the State. A local
paper has just remarked that Missouri
is ..surfeited with power" No doubt
the State never had more influence in
the councils of the Nation than she has
now, except during the reign of Grover ]