The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-03

and neat little tbeater as can be found. 1t
seats l,500 people, and 6rst-class theatrical
| companies come there to perform regularly
every season. He built and equipped the house
with every scenic convenience, without calling
on Congress for a dollar, the money being
raised from the profits of the Home canteen."
II
Some of the old accounts of the Treasury De-
| partment. printed in unwieljs folio sizes. make
interesting subjects of study for any one inter
ested in early American history, especially
relating 10 the Executive branches of the Gov
eminent The items in the account of the De-
| parimeHt are ridiculously small compared with
those of the present day, and some of the &C
counts themselves have antique flavor. One
of the generous appropriations for the purchase
of books in the Congressional Library ahout
1894 was $4,000. while about the same time
there was an account for vellum and parchment
for So. The salaries of Governors State Judges,
and Territorial officers are all given in due
order, some of them sounding very HIodest in
amount compared with the present time. One
Territorial Secretary, for a term of three years.
turned in a bill for office rent Of $500.
TO, the poor Indian" of whom Pope sang
somewhat i,stheticaly. may not he more
enlightened creature, speaking in general
sense than he was in that poetic time, but he
is, individually and in aggregate, possessed of
too much wealth to allow intelligent humanity
to regard him as poor" 1t is pure imagina-
ton TO suppose that the entire American con-
tinent belonged few hundred years ago to In
diaus. Their numbers upon the discovery OF the
continent could not have exceeded 100000
and they were divided into many hostile tribes,
warning continually upon each other for the
possession of hunting grounds. The Indians,
even when they held undisputed sway, bad re-
duced but little of the great continent to posses
sion in any proper sense Of the term. Their
wicwams and patches of corn were occupied
and cultivated one year and perhaps deserted
the next, and their title to the land thus &C.
cupied was based solely upon force. That such
a title in land is not held to be good even by
our indulgent Government. TO its citizens, is
fully attested i'm the law which requires man
to live and cultivate" for a term of years
a designated number of acres before he
acquire title thereto that he can defend in
law. But many tribes have been made wealthy
by the payment of enormous sums for land to
which they had better title tran that
quired by occupancy as hunters and ferocity as
warriors, often in consideration Of waving their
claims of ownership, while other large sums
are on deposit with the Government, bearing
interest, against their future need.
II
The recent visit of ex-Gov Alexander r.
Shepherd to this city, where he born aud
raised. was gratifying event 10 his legion Of
admiring friends here, and in their zealous
efforts TO manifest that high appreciation and
esteem with which they regard him he was ac-
corded genuine ovation. He is expected
back again in a few weeks.
The Washington of to-day presents a vastly
different appearance to the Washington as il APP
peared in ante.belIum days, or before Gov.
Shepherd brought his great genius and indomi-
table energy into play. AS everyone knows, or
ought 10 know, the country is indebted to his
mastery mind. superior judgment and great
nerve for its phenomenal transformation into
- thing Of beauty and JOY forever
The efforts OF a citizen of Missouri, the late
L. U. Re2vis. TO have the Capital moved to
some point west Of tie Mississippi River. and
as this feeling. at that time. WIS crystalizing
and taking root owing 10 the then disgraceful
appearance and condition Of the Nations Can't
tai possibly the cause and the inspiration
which prompted Gov. Shepherd in the gigantic
undertak Ing of laying the foundation for the
future possibilities of greater Washington,
Capital Of great Nation. worthy of the ad-
miration of its millions of loyal subjects. All
this he did regardless Of the opposition of many
Of the leading and wealthy citizens and large
property-holders. who protested against what
they styled his autocratic vandalism.
There is some talk now of raising monu-
ment here to Shepherd, and whether a statue
in recognition of Gov. Shepherds services to
his native city be erected or not. Washington,
with its magnificent streets, inviting public
parks, imposing public buildings, handsome
and stately residences, and its manifold attrac.
tons, must ever stand as a perpetual reminder
Of his wonderful genius and indomitable
energy.
All the photographers In the city keep on
hand stock OF photographs Of public men
and women. Reed and McKinley's pictures
just now lead in popularity. Pictures Of ALI |
son also sell well, aad the demand for them il |
growing. Ex-Yice-President Morton is good |
seller OF persons not in political life, Mgr |
Satolifs photographs are in good demand all |
the time. For some time Jerry Simpsons pic
lures sold like hot cakes but since bis retire
ment from Congress interest in him appears to
have died OUT to great extent. There is very
little demand for pictures OF noted Indians.
One photographer tried to induce Sitting Bull
to give a sitting when he was in Washington
On one occasion, bat he wanted to be paid $40
for the privilege, and the artist concluded the
sale Of his pictures would not Justify the ex-
pense. He was in group Of Indians which
was photographed the Capitol steps, but in
order TO prevent the camera man from getting
likeness of him he threw his blanket over
his head and hid his face. Mr.. Carlisle appears
to he the most popular man i'm the Cabinet, if
the demand that exists for copies of his photo
graph is any criterion.
A friend here Of Editor Byington. of Norwalk.