The Republican journal., 1913-03-27
A Trip to Virginia.

took the boat at Belfast for Boston,
thence via the Fall River line to New
York. The boats on this line are mag
nifcent and carry first-class orchestra
to furnish fine music for the entertain
ment of the passengers. From New
! York I went by train to Washington, D.
C., through New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
/ Delaware and Maryland. with their
many large and beautiful towns and cities,
including Philadelphia, Wilmington and
Baltimore. Washington, the Capital of
/ our country, is as fire and attractive a
city 2as there is in this country, think,
and have seen nearly all the principal
cities. 1t has very wide, handsome
streets and avenues, with fine shade
trees and beautiful parks and grounds.
| stopped a week in Washington, taking
in the many sights. l went up the
| Washington monument, from which
grand view of the city and surrounding
country is to be had, and across the
beautiful Potomac River into old Vir-
/ llild "CIlC llllOuSIl llle w Illlc 11OuSt,
with its many objects of interest in the
different rooms, and through the Treas
ury building, where there is several hun
bred millions of treasure in the vaults.
1t is said there are 5000 tons of gold
and silver stored there. l visited the
Government printing Office, where 5000
people are employed, and they use about
100 tons of paper day. The guide said
we walked four miles over the building
in the many different departments. The
Government has attentive and courteous
guides to take visitors through the diff
ferent departments and explain every
thing to them, which makes it very inter-
esting. went through the engraving
and lithographing building, where all
the paper money of the country is made,
and it is a curious and interesting sight
| to see them go through the many differ
ent processes. | visited the Congress
sional Library, which is built of white
marble and is said to be the finest libra
ny building in the world. In the even
ing when lighted by its thousands of
brilliant electric lights it is a beautiful
sight. l went through the Smithsonian
Institute, with its many objects of curl
osity and interest. The National Muse
UNI, with all its curiosities and works Of
art, would take days if you looked them
over thoroughly and it would be we'll
worth your time. The Patent Office is
also very interesting. The Cocoran Art
Gallery has some very fine and valuable
pictures, statuary and works of art.
The Pan American Building is also very
instructive and entertaining, with eX-
hibits from the United States, Mexico,
Central America, and all the South
American countries. The Botanical Gar
dens are very fine. with plants, trees
and shrubs and flowers from all parts of
the world. | also went to the U. S.
Geological Gardens, where there is com
plete collection of animals, beasts, birds
and reptiles which are very interesting
and instructive.
| went to the Senate, which is a very
dignifed and orderly body, and listened to
debate 10y prominent Senators, and
from there to the House of Representa-
tive, where "Uncle Joe" Cannon and
other distinguished members were point
ed out to me. In the House it was all hub
bub and confusion, two or three trying
to talk at the same time, and was quite
contrast to the dignity and order OF the
Senate. They had memorial exercises in
the Senate for Vice President Sherman;
and President Taft and his Cabinet and
the foreign ambassadors and ministers
were present. Eulogies were given by
prominent speakers over the death OF
the Vice President. | had good chance
to see the President and other distin-
guished persons. went to Arlington, Va,
where thousands of Union soldiers are
buried. 1t is very beautiful spot. Also
to Mount Vernon, the old home of Wash
ington, Is miles from here, and to the
tomb of Washington and the house he
used to live in, and saw the room and
bed in which he died, the old coach in
which he used to ride, and many objects
Of interest connected with the famous
man. The grounds are fitted up finely
and it is very beautiful and attractive
place on the shore Of the Potomac river.
After spending several very pleasant
days taking in the sights of Washington
and surroundings, took train for Vir-
ginia, going through West Virginia via
Harpers Ferry, which is rather dilap-
idated looking old town. There is some
wild and romantic scenery in West Vir-
ginia, which is quite billy and mountain
GUS. l changed cars at Harpers Ferry
for Capon Road, Va, and was soon in
the Old Dominion. l went through
Winchester, Va, celebrated as the scene
| If Sheridan 70 fovnouo rido I,1 ripor tho ro