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Special Correspondence of the News FROM WASHINGTONWASHINGTON, D.C., July 18, 1866.The weather has been the absorbing topic here, for ten days past the heat here has been intense, the thermometer indicating from 90 to 104 degrees in the shade. A number of cases of sunstroke have occurred, resulting in the death of several persons. Last evening we were favored with a delightful shower, accompanied with thunder and lightning, which so cooled the air that we enjoyed a pleasant night's rest, the first for more than a week. To-day was very pleasant and we hope to see no more extremely hot weather. I presume the people of Colorado are highly gratified with the passage of the bill, authorizing the construction of the Kansas branch of the Pacific Railroad, on the Smoky Hill to Denver. It will be of incalculable value to Colorado. The bill, however, came very near being vetoed. Strong influences were brought to bear, to induce the President to withhold his signature. Senator Pomeroy and Gen. John A. Dix, were very influential in opposing the measure, but the "Blair family" was too much for them. I learn that Gen. Dix was so well satisfied the President would veto the bill, that he offered to bet ten to one that such would be the case. Judge Bradford was earnest and active in supporting the measure, he had an interview with the President, when it was thought the bill would be vetoed, and represented to him the great important benefits the building of this road would confer upon Colorado. The President gave him to understand that he would not veto the bill. The people of Colorado have a working representative in Judge Bradford, and no Territory has a more influential Delegate at the Capitol. There are but few Coloradoans remaining in Washington. Gov. Evans and Hon. J. B. Chaffee, went west some two weeks since to Illinois and Michigan. Mr. Chaffee has returned, and the Governor is expected daily. I learn it is their intention to remain until Congress adjourns, which will probably be about the last of this month. Col. Ed. Winkoop and Capt. Sam. Robbins, of the 1st Regiment, are in the city. The bill for the admission of the State of Colorado, has not been taken up in the Senate, since the veto, and it is not the intention to take it up, until there is a certainty of passing it. It may pass before Congress adjourns, but if not it will be passed early in the 2d session. If it were not for such impracticable Union Senators as Chas. Sumner, B. Gratz Brown and Edmonds, the question would have been decided, and Colorado admitted long since. Their opposition is wholly on account of the word white in the Constitution and they say they oppose it on principle. In my humble opinion they lose sight of a far more important .... [More]
Source: Unknown, "From Washington," Daily Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Co., Thursday, 2 August, 1866, p. 1, col. 2.
Unfortunately I don't have all of this article so the rest of the information on Colorado's efforts to gain admission to the Union is missing. Hopefully researchers interested in this topic will be able to use the source information given above to locate the rest of this article for their own use. I'd like to offer a very special thanks to Nancy Spencer, [email protected], of Denver, Colorado for digging this article out for me. Nancy found it for me, plus a host of others, quite a few years ago now. Unfortunately, I managed to mislay them, something that's been happening with increasing frequency lately as more and more material on the Wynkoops, and Ned in particular, comes to light. They somehow managed to surface recently and here they are now for your enjoyment or edification; take your pick. Thanks so much Nancy! I'm sorry about the long wait. All my best, Chris
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