The Portland daily press., 1869-11-13

WASHINGTON, D. c. Nov. s, 1869.
To the Editor Of the Press:
1t would seem by the energy displayed by
the business men of this city that there will
be no lack of hotel accommodations the COM
ing winter, as there will be some four or five
in addition to what existed year ago.
THE ARLINGTON HousE-wHAT IT COSTS FOR
BOARD.
| The new Arlington Hotel, which is located
| near the White House, will be to this CITY
what the Fifth Avenue Hotel is TO New York
Its scale of prices is sufficient, should think,
to suit the most fastidious. Senator Fenton
has suite of five rooms, for which he pays
for his family, consisting of five, 81, 400 per
month. The Hon. Mr.. Sanford, of New
York, has suite of rooms for which he pays
$1,000 per month, and this is about the aver
age rate. Two new hotels are to be opened
about the LIST of December, one near the Ma
tional Theatre and tho other at the corner of
and 9th streets, the latter to be called the
ST. Cloud. 1t is a fact that the hotels of this
city do not generally pay expenses during the
summer and fall months, but the proprletors
make enough during the session of Congress
to more than compensate for the loss sustain
ed.
NEW CHURCH TALKED OF.
It is said that the Presbyterian Association
of this city are contemplating the erection of
National Presbyterian Church in this CITY,
something similar to the National Metropoli-
TAM. Methodist, but at greater cost. There
seems to be at the present time as much rival
ry between Christian denominations in the
| erection Of fine churches as there is between
wealthy private individuals in building costly
residences, and the rapid increase in extrava-
gance and adornments is certainly surprising,
to say the least. Only few years ago, the
Methodist denomination were opposed even
to organs in their churches, but now they
have certainly outerown that idea, and seem
to take the lead in costly churches and pas
toral residences. This new Presbyterian
church is to cost some S250,OOO, exceeding
thereby the cost of the National Methodist
Church some 100000. Probably, in a year
or two, some other Christian denomination
will erect princely church edifice at a cost
OF 100000, thereby throwing these others in
to the shade.
OPERA HOUSES
A new opera house is to be erected in this
city to meet the wants of the people. At
present. there are but two buildings for public
amusement, the National Theatre and Walls
opera House. The first is conducted in a
inost parsmonious manner, bringing only up
on the stage sensational pieces (made worse
ny Innovations TO meet the taste of the lower
classes Oh lhis city) not only devoid of good
morals but fai.ly reeking with impurities.
The latter was during the war called "The
Canterbury" and was low concert hall |
where the crowd assembled to drink. smoke |
and look upon painted desolation." Although |
this building has been thoroughly renovated
its bad name still attaches and it has been
failure. Its accommodations also are very
ihhed, and being in very unpopular part of
'ne CITY, south of Pennsylvania Avenue, has
never yet paid any party who has leased it.
Laura Keene will, however onpn this nlace
ene io'n in0''' Win fine dramatic company.
Considering that there are some 125 600 in.
habitants, it would seem quite certain that
hrst class establishment might be well enn-
ported and prove good paying property.
MISCELLANEOUS.
ne business men of this city, it would ap- |
Pear' oy the enterprise lately exhibited, do
ro' nave many fears of the removal of the
1api'oi at present. The United States Su-
'feme court has recently decided that off,
ers are not entitled to increased pay TOR SER
ants from the 1st of May 1854 1.-THE date when
rivates pay was increased to SIG per month";