The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-09-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.

The city of Washington and the ad-
joining state of Virginia have been snf-
fering from drought for the past fort
night, which has parched the fields and
dried up the wells and springs. Your
correspondent went ont to Manassas yes
terday to visit the camps, shake hands
with the boys, taste some old wartime
hard tack, and learn how the battle for
the capture of the national capital, which
has been waged with almost Port Arthur
fury for week, was progressing. 1t was
good for the eyes to see Texas and Mass
achusetts, Florida and Vermont, Georgia
and Connecticut all fighting, shoulder to
shoulder, under the command of the son
of the famous General Grant, while Gen.
Joe Wheeler was there cheering them on.
This isn't exactly like the first battle of
Bull Run, but it's on the same spot,
beneath the same sun, with the same
scenery, and just as near to Washington
as the first one was. Men change. and
opinions change. but Nature remains the
same. 1t was pretty hot marching last
Friday, and something like 100 men were
overcome by the heat. Many threw away
their blankets, and all suffered for the
want of water. However, the generals
give high praise to the boys for their grit.
and pluck, and the fatigue they bore
without murmuring. A good deal of
fighting was done during the night, and
at the commissary department the cooks
were hard at work all night sending out
wagon loads of hot coffee, and things to
eat. It will be remembered that this is.
what Mckinley did when he was in the
Civil War. There was much at Manassas
to remind one of the sad days of 1861, in
spirit, at least, but happily not in reality.
This time the Texas boys asked the Presi-
dent of the United States to be their
guest, which was graceful compliment,
but he was unable to accept the invitation.
Altogether the maneuvers have been a
great success and the boys in brown and
the boys in blue will all be returned to
their homes, safe and sound, filled with
thrilling experiences Of their struggle at
the third battle of Bull Run.
~
The seal of silence has been imposed by
direct order of the President upon officials
of all of the Departments regarding the
annual estimates for expenditures, and
this following upon previous order
passed to all the Departments to cut to
the lowest possible estimate the appro-
priations required from Congress for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1906, is signif-
cant. The Chiefs of Bureaus and Divi-
sions are trying to comply, but little
economies in our extravagant govern
ment household have been little practiced
for the last forty years and there will be
considerable friction in attempting it now.
This order coming on the heels of Judge
Parker's speech to the Democratic editors
charging prodigality under Republican
rule excites comments in political circles
here. The total appropriations last year
were $7SI, ego, but expenditures since
July have been so great that they are now
over $23, 900, 600 in excess of receipts. A
year ago the receipts were $3.50. ooo. 900 in
excess of expenditures. The Treasury
Department estimates, it is known. will
this year be in excess of any in its history.
~
A vigorous movement has been begun
here having for its object the establish
ment of a National University in WASH
ington. The sentimental reason urged is
that George Washington suggested it.
The Columbian University has, recently
changed its name to the George Washing
ton University, aud it has bought large
tract of ground south of the White House,
and on the large park extending from the
White House to the Capitol. Washington
is fast becoming great educational GEN.
ter, and it doubtless has many advantages
for broad education. The Medical
Museum, the Congressional Library, the
Art Galleries, the Smithsonian Institute,
the Carnegie University, the Catholic Uni
versity. the Georgetown University. and
Howard University are only the most
prominent and best established institu-
tons. There are fully score of others
for young men and young women. boys
and girls, the students of all have easy
access to the great Government institu-
tons mentioned. Many persons realize
the advantages possessed by the Capitol
city in an educational way. Each year
witnesses a marked development and a
widening of scope of the larger institu-
tons, and the many private schools that
have attained high rank are now receiv-
ing pupils not only from all parts of the
United States but also from foreign
countries.