Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-07-20
Washington Letter.
(From Our Regular Correspondent


Washington, D. C., July IA, 1904.
Washington and Paris in recent times
are the only capitals which have wit
messed conflicts between cOntending
forces for capture. The present week
has been memorable one in this city,
since on Tuesday monument was I'm
yelled on the site of old Fort Stevens
where, forty years ago, $4,000 Conf eder
ate soldiers under General Early were
forced to retreat by the Union
soldiers under General Wright. At
one time the city was in panic, and
preparations were made to take the
president and his family down the Po-
tOmac in a steamboat. But instead of
flying President LiacOln went to Fort
Stevens and much to the CONSERVATION
of the officers insisted upon witnessing
the conflict and abiding the result. All
this took place on the 18th of July, 1864,
and this week the spot has been marked
Oy beautiful Shaft OF granite raised to
the memory Of the dead of the
l22d New York Volunteers. Many of
the men who were in arms on that day
have survived to this. and were present
at the unwilling. Col. c. V. Tracy, who
was once private in the regiment thus
commemorated, made the opening adj
dress. 1t was memorable day for
Washington and recalled wildly the
trying and terrible days of more than "a
generation ago. Washington is destined
to become city of monuments and
memorials. 1t is now proposed to bring
the remains of Pierre LEnfant to the
capital, and erect over his grave suit
able memorial. He is the celebrated
Frenchman who, under the guidance of
Washington, drew up the plan upon
which the present city Is built, 1t has
been suggested that a great granite
boulder be placed upon his grave, and
that map of the city be carved upon it.
Politically the town is very calm after
the adjournment of the great nominal
ing conventions. Both parties appear to
be satisfied with the candidates which
have been named. Already Republican
ratification meetings are being held.
Although there Is no actual voting in
Washington. thousand OF employees go
to their homes in November and vote,
where they are citizens! This arrange
ment enables them to take deep interest
in politics. 1t is given out that Mr.. Cor
man will manage the campaign for
Judge Parker. Mr.. COrtelyOu has gone
to New York to make arrangements
about opening Republican headquarters
in that city. He Is known to be working
industriously and earnestly, and will
have the advice of the best Republican
talent in the State. Naturally both
parties hope tn carry New York state.
with the chances largely in favor of
the Republicans. The President made
good Governor of New York, and the
present Governor Is both Republican
and an able man. There Is complete
harmony in Republican ranks, unbound
ed cOnfden ce on the part of the people,
and general prosperity throughout the
country. With these factors there is no
such words as fall.
Yesterday your correspondent met at
the Department OF War, Gen, A. W.
Greeley, of Arctic fame, Chief of the Sig
nal Corps. He is tall, thin, very gre,
and quite feeble. He steps softly and
feels his way along like an old man.
During recent years he has aged fast.
The assault he suffered few years ago.
when some Baltimore roughs tried to
force their way into his house, was
severe shock. The General will soon de-
part for Alaska upon an inspection tour,
going to Seattle and Sitka, to attend the
opening of the Government cable be-
tween those cities, The General is
much interested in wireless telegraphy,
and has ordered test of the Fessenden
system between Forts Wright and
Schuyler, in New York. AS chief Of the
Signal Corps he is not yet convinced
that trustworthy lines of wireless COM
can be established for long
distances. Captain Wildman, of the
Signal Corps will also proceed to Alaska
to try and establish wireless commune
cation between Cape Nome and St.
across Moron souLd.:a diatance
Of 10 miles; In preparation for the
coming army maneuvers at Manassas in |
Virginia, Gen. Greeley has ordered two