Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-23
MAINE G. 4. R. PARTY.
visit Many Notable Places Including Wash.
ington's Home at Mt. Vernon.

y
building is new and has not become as
familiar to the general reader as the
other public buildings IN Washington
and also because there is nothing in the
capital city that in grace richness and
beauty can compare with it-nor amy
where else for that matter. In this let.cr
the general appearance Of the city. 'ni
the writer's line OF march while hcrt
will be touched upon.
Your correspondent last knew Wash
ington in the spring of 1865, when he was
sent north from Lincoln hospital after
seven months 'd1rance vile from
from the capitol about one mile. Lincoln
park, the soldiers home and some of the
most beautiful and costly, residences in
the city now stand upon the old site of
the hospital. There was nothing to speak
of east of the capitol then except space
and the artillery drill ground. In those
with cobble stones, where Il was paved al
all, and in continued rain, with all the
army traffic passing over this avenue, or
a part OF the avenue, II was no uncom-
mon sight to see one foot Of mud on top
of the paving. The writer has seen six
mule team stuck in the mud at the foot
of Capitol mi; has seen chickens, pigs
and piCkaninnies in the dirt together all
up and down this avenue. one of the
finest in the wOrld-has seen, not twenty
rods either way from the White House.
chicken cJops having for one side the
Stats of the fence on the inner side OF
the dirt walk, and whitewashed cabin
representative OF nunureQS-lnc home of
a negro family, next to pretentious
stone or brick mansion. the home of the
quality, has seen the Potomac Flats
since redeemed the dumping ground for
dirt and garbage of every description
and the cnanSe wrought since de wah'
is great thdt nothing less than Il per
sonal visit could wholly convert him to
realization of the present Cleauy AMI
beautiful appearance of the city Il
whole, and to such a degree that, as
stated in a former letter, in the rear fu
a - ~ h. ~.
city in the world.
And ii is easy to believe in such flu
ture for the city because. first, AL Of the
government buildings are grLndly beau
tiful. impressive in their Solidily, giving
one a feeling Of pride and cXulIatiol
that behind them are the strength ann
glory Of great, free and progressive
people, whose future is 10 be as grand ~
that of their capital city; ana second.
there are constantly being erected by the
several departments new buildings no less
imposing. to accommodate the ever In
creasing business of the government; and
because OF the lay out OF the city:
Going from the capitol down PtInSyi-
Vania avenue. 10 feet from curb To
curb with sidewalks TWO rods wide one
stops TO look at the noble peace monu-
ment, erected in memory Of The Officers.
sailors and marines who fell iii defense
Of their country-1S61 1865. This is oth
erwise known as the naval monument
and is justly placed at the west mead ID
the avenue, where al may see the grace
full figure Of peace with her olive branch.
1
ton. Next turn from the avenue into
the botanical gardens, and one is 1t once
transported to the luXurianCe OF the
tropics. Apparently every known shrub.
plant, flower and tree. and palms ami
cacti without number. are TO be seen, and
all seemingly at their best. Here is seen
the Bartholdi statue, with its ever play
ing fountains.
Why is it that more of our northern
cities DO not aim to reserve space tor
such breathing places; smal Her ana less
.f.,a iArtg- th.N- b. lrtH flf.h
place in each Of our Maine cities would
be never ending delight % All, while
its educating influence would re great
and in the right direction.
The new city pOstottiCe which Is to ne
the home of the dead letter office tuOw
being moved to the new buildinsl came
kindly detailed clerk to do the honors
for our little squad Now the Journal
readers know what a poStothce Is. cS-
pecially Augusta residents, but there is
one department in the Washington city
postotfiCe that is not found in any other.
that is the official department. All
government is properly sorted. placed in
its proper pigeon hole, ana there kept un
til the proper officer calls in person Tor
tit is never given 10 carriers. Presi
dent Mckinley gets his mail just the
same as John Smith does-oniv the pres
idenr does not call in person. wni!e John
does-but John can send by neiShDOr.
and then he gets his mali Just as III"
president does. This official depart
ment" in the city p0stoffice was one OF
the great features in the building.
Friday afternoon our Maine party had
the distinguished honor of being espev-
tally received by President Mckinley.
How ii was arranged is something uf i
query, but Manager Merrck wrought Il
out somehow. At three O'Clock the Pres
ident was p receive the second .r-'t,
lion that afternOon-he had airead soma
onc-and he had ten minutes to Civ, sS.
Promptness had 10 be the watchVa lsl.
and il is needless 10 say that on ihc tick
nf hp lock ga hat. IA Il
the 0utstretched palm OF the chiel mag
istratc for an instant. Mrs. Punain,
president Of the Department of Maine. W.
K. G. gave the President TWO pane cones
for himself and Mrs Mckinley, which he
received with smiles ana thanks, cspec-
cially for Mrs. Mckinley.
BY common consent oil The party W.
were to attend church on Sunday. cacn
TO choose for himself in which church he
would worship, then in the afternoon all
We're 10 go 70 Mount Vernon, but that
plan had TO be given up Tor The reason
that the grounds at Mount Vernon are
not open To the public on Sunday. To
church however, the whole party went
After we We're received by President
Mckinley Manager Merrlck changed IN,
Mount Vernon ,rIp To Saturday after
noon, and engaged two electric ears Is
pecialiy for his merry party to be taken
via the OLD city Of Alexandra to H.
TO be held at his command and the con
Nenience Of his passengers, giving them
all the time they wished in which to lOoR
about and through Inc mansion am
grounds.
The writer assumes ;hut there il I'D
other way at present in when IL keep ~
the buildings and grounds at Mount Yer
non than by charging twenty i've cents
admission through The turn stilc. but
there came Il feeiing ueVcrt hrless thai
it is not in keeping with the dignity AM
grandeur of Il great nation like tnis OF
ours to tax an American citizen qua
ter to view the house and room in which
George Washington died, to- zee tn.
clothes he last wore, the SWORD that il