The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-09-20
WASHINGTON LETTER
Dawson and the Gold RegiOns-A
One Cent Check Worth S2O-Benu-
tifuI Washington Monument.
Especial Correspondence


Durham. who, among other things
states:
THE expenses, difficulties and hard
shlps of the summer journey from the
coast 10 the Klondike are things or the
past. The White Pass and Yukon rail-
road was completed early in July, lS99'
from Skaguay to the head of Lake Ben
nett q distance of about 40 miles.
From Bennett City TO Dawson the
Journey is now made in four days IN
commodlous and comfortable steamers
at a cost of less than 500, including
berth and meals. The up trip from
Dawson to Bennett City occupies from
six TO ten days. according to stage OF
water. As a consequence OF the great
improvements in transportation ON the
unper Yukon and the lakes the 81. Mi
chael's route is now but little used Tor
passenger traffic TO and from the init
ed States.
During the summer Of 1879 about
5000 people left Dawson. half Of whom
returned to the coast by the upper riv
or route. OF the other half about $500
went TO Nome. and the remainder en-
tered the, Forty Mile district. Not to
exceed 1000 people arrived in Dawson
from the outside world during the sea
son. and not more than 30 Of these
went In by the St Michaers route. The
lower river steamboats, continue to
handle the bulk Of the freight, and
about 10000 tons were taken TO Daw-
son by way Of 81. Michaels during the
season. while 60OO tons were brought
in by the Skaguay route
A one cent Check Worth $50.
Uncle Sam is able 10 hire men cheap
or than the greatest trust on earth
Men who would scorn wages less than
they have been accustomed to receiv'
ing will eagerly accept almost anything
from the government for the sake OF
serving such a worthy master.
Perhaps the most remarkable case OF
this kind has recently been called 10
the attention Of the postmaster gen
eral Ii is the custom in the post2f1ce
DEPARTMENT 10 mail checks 10 various
fourth class postoitices once each quar-
ter. and AT the end Of July the usual
hatch Of checks was made out. IL was
then discovered that Frank Lynch. who
carries the nail between Dodgeville
Wis. and Mineral Point. nine miles
away. had not received a check In the
three previous quarters, and hence
became necessary TO Include thH
amount for a years work in his check
The amount was exactly ! cent mas
much as our currency does not boast OF
quarter cent pieces Mr.. Lynch was IN
able 10 collect his salary quarterly. ana
II will be another year before he gets
his second check for 1 cent He has
not yet cashed the check and does not
intend 10 do so. though curiosity col
lectors have offered him as much as
$50 for 1t.
This remarkable contract with the
government to carry mail nine miles
each day at cent year was made
little over a year ago. Mr.. Lynch Will
still have cents coming to him before
the contract expires, three years hence
A beautiful Monument.
| One result Of the enlargement Of the
White House. for which architectural
studies are now making. would be that
If ever accomplished It would cut off
from the windows and porticOs Of
the south front their present view Of
the Washington monument. Most Of
the plans for enlarging the White
House provide for wings extending
southwark. one to be used for office
purposes and the other for an art gal
lery and formal reception room, leav-
ing the old White House rs a family
| residence. Such an arrangement would
seemingly cut off from the living rooms
of the new structure view of great
beauty.
The monument has as many different
appearances as there are tints of cloud
and sky above and Of grass and foliage
below. 1t is most beautiful seen from
the southern portico of the White
House In the blackness of thunder
storms, particularly In the early sum-
mer. There is then oftentimes a COM
bination of coloring Of which the mon
ument forms a part, that is worth go
Ing a long distance to see. From the
White House to the Potomac river the
surface Of the earth is a beautiful
lawn almost level, but with just
enough trees and shrubbery to break
the appearance of artifciality. On the
lawn of the executive mansion and
the public reservations grass and
foliage are very heavy, almost tropical,
and Of beautiful shade of green. The
monument itself is so pure and white
as ordinarily to be almost glittering.
But wnen the storm clouds thicken
and the sky becomes black this great
white column loses all its unpleasant
glare and stands out in wonderful
elearness and glory. Linking the fore
ground view of lawn and leaf to the
black background of the heavens Is
the view of the graceful windings of
the Potomac.
Hot Weather In Washington.
Hot weather as we usually have 1t
In Washington is endurable because
before ones powers of endurance are
exhausted there comes a change. Sell
dom do we have more than week of
intensely hot weather in one stretch,
and intervening days Of moderation
brace one for another foretaste Of fu-
ture punishment This summer has,
however, been a record breaker for
high temperature. Not only did we
have an unbroken fortnight Of 80 de-
gree weather In July, but for the first
| 4broo ,rvool-e f,, A,,c,,ct Tho dofIv ovor.