The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-05-05
Letter from the National Capitol.
From our Special Correspondent,
John E. Harris.
WAsH1NeroN. D. G., May 1, 100.


DEAR FRIENDS:
Except the pleasant knowledge that
am to communicate with you again,
nothing, gives me so much pleasure as to
be able to write the above date. How
many of us have been weary waiting,
waiting for the May" But after snow
and ice bound months it is here at last,
and with it all the blessings and pleas
ures of resurrected nature.
Just few notes of Washington as
see it this morning. The weather is that
of Vermont in early June. The bees and
butterflies are out for business and pleas
ure, the trees are out in full foliage and
masses and mounds of flowers are bloom
ing on every hand. The magnolia flow
the pity. Imagine tree resembling a
small maple filled and burdened with
flowers resembling in shape and size wa
ter lilies, some trees pure white and 9TH
ers all shades of red and blue. Such a
magnificent sight cannot be described it
must be seen to be understood or appre-
ciated. The multitude of parks are filled
with blooming flower of every specie
known to a temperate or semi-tropical
climate, and colOred boys are selling cut
flowers on every street corner at ridicu-
lousy low prices. a sight that brings
back the old days are the great punches
of lilacs selling on the streets, wheel
barrow loads are everywhere, and a great
bunch for ten cents finds a quick sale.
Every hurrying pedestrian appears to
stop and purchase bunch IN memory OF
the old farm, and the Whit of fragrance
of blessed memory.
Washington is at all times the most
pleaSurable residence city in the world,
but from the fifteenth of April to the
fifteenth of June it is simply past des-
cription. Come down to the big celebra-
ton this month and see for yourselves.
The date is May 23rd, 24th and 18th, and
it will be the most magnificent event of
the kind ever seen in any country. 1t is
peace jubilee, flower carnival and grand
historical review. Features of the cele-
brat1on will be thes review of our land
and naval forces by the President, the
personages in column illustrating the
history of the country from its discovery
to the treaty with Spain, grand review
ing stand and colossal floral court of hon
or in front OF the White House, and each
evening the most brilliant and extensive
exhibition of fireworks ever seen on the
continent. The PAL ade will be reviewed
by the President and Cabinet, the great
General and Admirals and the Govern
ors of the several states, with their stats,
who have been invited and most of whom
will be present.
The railroads will give half fare rates
and less from all over, and hundreds of
thousands of visitors are certain to be
present If you would care to come | will
arrange for board and lodging here at
moderate rates if you will address me at
the senate post office. would certainly
like tC see any VermOnter ana will make
every effort to render the visit pleasant
and interesting.
Speaking of trees, just a word as to
those which make their home here
There are many different varieties, but
only know the names of a few. The vast
majority don't know and can't get ac-
quainted with. | ask all residents, but
they haven't any idea. One solemn look
ing tree they call sugar maple, but it is
a libel on the old Vermont stock, and no
more resembles maple than it does an
oak. There are cedars, which grow their
branches straight up and clinging to the
trunk like species of poplar. Then
there are oaks and sycamores and laurelS
and vast number of other trees and
shrubs which are a sealed book to me.
Some day | am going to get desperate and
90 down to the bureau of Agriculture
and get a guide to travel for an hour or
two with me and tell me the names of
these arboreal mysteries.
| returned to Washington a week ago
by steamer from Boston via Norfolk, Va,
leaving Boston Thursday afternoon and
arriving here early Sunday morning. The
Boston boat arrived at Norfolk early Sat
lrday morning after a thirty odd hours
run. We had good weather, but heavy
swell and fresh breeze, and out of the
hundred passengers only about dozen
Kept outside their food and Staterooms.
The great majority were welcoming
Heath with open arms. Strong men col
apsed, brave women wilted, and the sur
7iYors wandered around lonely and desc
ate. For a wonder l was perfectly well
RI Tnaa1c and nnD ci6nrah HE nf |
hem, regularly. Why, don't know, but |
assumed that it was the reward of vir-
ue and morality in past living, and SO in
inuated to my wife. This suggestion,
strange as it may seem, was received with |
expressions of incredulity and |
extreme doubt. Anyway, | wasn't sea-
lick, and that is satisfactory. The rea-
,any charged five dollars per heads for
meals en- route for the two of us. The
ime duly allowed four meals to be served.
These four | ate, and those coming to
drs. Harris never reached her. There
ore L paid ten dollars for four meals,
nd very Indifferent meals at that, even
f eight meals had been eaten, it would
ave been a deliberate swindle on the
art of the Merchants and Miners
steamship Company.
I'D Point Comfort, Newport News,
and Norfolk What names
hese are IN history! Hampton Roads,
hat beautiful and peaceful sunlit sound
tretching from Norfolk and Portsmouth
nd past Old Point, recall the mighty bat
lie between the Monitor and Merrimac
n those days of civil war. the battle
which marked an epoch in battleship con-
truction and in history But the blue
1ater is silent and peaceful today, and
he memory only remains.
One of Uncle Sans largest navy yards
J located at Portsmouth, just across the
cad of the bay from Norfolk, and here
hree mighty battleships are nearing COM
letion. One of them, the Kearsarge, is
AIMED for the celebrated captor of the
ebel privateer Alabama. They will all
e launched and ready for business in a
ew months.
At Old Point Comfort is Fort Monroe,
he American Gibraltar, and fortress of
size, strength and historical
interest. Adjoining it is the Hygia
otel, one of the largest fashionable re-
Orts in the world. The entire point is a
overnment reservation, and armed SEN
ries from the barracks continually walk
heir beat on the wharf. From these
points lines of steamers run
} Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia,