Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-03-11
Washington Letter.

Washington Letter.
! WASHINGTON, d. c., March s, 1869.
The past week has been one of unpara-
lelled interest i'll Washington, weeks be-
fore Inauguration, the city began to
assume a lively air, which steadily in
creasediup to the moment that Gen. Grant
ceased to be, and President Grant entered
upon his official duties as President of
the United States.
Asa long continued storm upon the
] mountains, overlooking rill and creek,
hurries along the clamoring elements
until united in common sea so for days
preceding Inauguration every avenue of
approach to Washington, poured in its
constant stream of human tide until the
city was literally filled to OVERLOOKING.
\ Washington has been styled "a city of
boarding-houses," and very justly too, for
as vou walk the street, upon every hand,
placards announce "rooms to rent with or
without board Boarding by the day,
week or month"; &C., &c. You at once
4 infer that where there is so much compe-
tition, rooms must be not only good ones,
but rates reasonable, also. But a days ex-
perience in looking for place to lay your
head, viii learn you, SO far as rooms are
concerned, at least, to infer nothing, but
j prove all things.
The weary crowd was glad to make use
Z Of those ut the hnrhItant
+ prices placed upon them. As thousands
could obtain no accommodations whatever,
of course first class accommodations would
bring any price, which was regulated ac-
cording to the conscience of the landlord,
which, in Washington, seldom stands in
the way of his pecuniary interest. When
square accommodations could be obtained
no longer and it was found to pay better
than the regular business, billiard saloons
were cleared and filed with cots, after the
manner Of hospital wards; halls, reading
rooms, passages, and in short every avail
ablsspot to lay mattrass'wa eagerly
taken, and filled by the 81 OF March, and
still the crowd poured in.
Imagine the predicament of well
dressed gentleman, with carpet bag IN
hand, from the west, south, or perhaps
depot he concludes from the appearance
that for some reason or other everybody
in the city is at the depot to welcome him
in He crowds along to a police officer,
and asks him to recommend some hotel, lie
mentions half dozen or so, but tells him
they are all FULL and It's useless TO 20 there.
:. An. indeed could he mention some board
ing-housp !: All full; not room to be
had in the city; can't even get a chair TO
sit in all night at any of the hotels or
boardng>houses III the city. Our carpet
, Dagger finds this to be painfully true, and
himself obliged to walk the streets all
night. But It's said that misery loves
company and that hearts are umited 10y a
common misfortune. Ii SO, thousands OF
hearts in Washington must have beat as
one that night. Although for days pre-
vious the weather had been fine, ON the
, morning OF the 4th tie sky was overcast
and it was raining moderately. Those
who arrived daring the night and could
find no shelter, stood in mournful groups
about the streets and public grounds, APP
prrently waiting, like Micawber, for
something TO turn up.
. Tickets were issued to admit as many
as the Senate galleries would hold to the
/, inauguration ceremonies OF the Vice
! President. and though the doors were not
6 opened until 10 o'clock, early in the morn
\ ing crowds stood about the doors to get
Q the first chance in and choice of seats
. and when the doors were finally opened
Q the rush for the galleries was terrific
T Doorkeepers and officials were swept aside
by the crowd, women shrieked that they
;. were being squeezed to death, turned
:. faint, and tried all sorts of artful dodge'
:, to create sympathy but it was no go-ir
4 went the crowd to take possession of th'
;, galleries, and wait two hours for anything
= further to happen. The left hand sids 0
= the Senate chamber was occupied Ey Sen
). ators and members, while she right wa
!, reserved for other di.s.taries. firss i
\ front of the Prq.itient's seat vas the C%'
. and Associate Justices of tbs S14r n
, Court Of the United States ;. tsaE car &C Il
:, foreign ministers, in fgl coarf DIRE.
:. while the back row OF, seats Was occupi,
Q by the principal officers of oar army ar
:. navy. After. the inaugural of the Vii
President, and while tho = recession W.
is being formed to conduct t'ne President
is the ceatral front Of the b'ailding prepare
for his inaugural ceremony, the exit.
the crowd from the galleries wes near
e. as bad as their advent, suc,., was their d
d sire to witness both cers monies. Outsif
it a gloomy crowd was waiting. Man
ID had taken their places early
TT the morning, and held them o.
c. " by virtae of possession, the
is being no presumption rite. Some, to O
IN tain mozs desirable view, had taken
I'd the tall trees in the park just opposite
N. loaded were some of these trees as to ca
at to mind twilight scenes, often seen
m, rural districts, where turkeys are KEEP
he the memory of which is anything but u
ne pleasant. House-tops were covered, ar
en- windows were filed with heads, ar
to some, who were in possession of tn
talismanic word which gave them admi
be sion to forbidden grounds, worked the