Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-01-07

WASHINGTON, Jan. l, 1874.


States very happy New Year, and now
repeat the Same good wish to the REpuBLt-
CAN. its editors and readers. Long may
they all live and enjoy themselves
The scene at the White House to-day was
one of unusual splendor, such a one as is
seldom seen in our democratic country, re-
minding the beholder of the scenes at the
European Courts on gala days. First came
the members CT the Cabinet and diploma tic
representatives, the latter in the different
glittering uniforms of their respective
countries bedecked with orders of my
colors, and their ladies sparkling with jew.
els aud clothed in rich robes. Then the
governor ana officers of the District Govern
ment, the Judges of the several courts, and
the officers of the army, led by the Secre-
tary of War, and by the General of the
Army, Sherman, and among them many
familiar faces, and names well known in the
history of the country. After them follow :
ed the officers OF the navy. led by Secretary
Robson and Admiral Porter, all in their
rich, and yet plain uniforms Then follow
ed civil officers Of different degre semi
military organizations, aad lastly the crowd
of '.citizens'' that had for two or three hours
beleaguered the gates lealing to the White
House. In the Blue Room stood the PreSi-
dopf oft IoI Nv of -;
shook hands with each Que, as the crowd
filed by, with good natured smile on his
face and cordial "Happy New Year." on
his lips. In the next room was Mrs. Presi-
| dent Grant attended by the ladies of the
| members of the Cabinet and othsr5 in high
| rank. ...a
An excellent opportunity was afforded
the visitor to view the different rooms Of
the White House, which during the past
summer have all been remodeled and i'm
proved in appearance. The greatest change
| is in the East room, the great stat groom,
where formerly used to be the portraits of
the Presidents sfthe United States. These
which never were much Of an ornament,
owing to the difference in size and framing,
have been removed and distributed through
other parts of the house. The ceiling and
walls are painted with light gray or
white and relieved with gold three magu.
6cen crystal and silver chandeliers each
I'D tho
ceiling; six superb mirrors framed in white
and gold ornament the walls, while the
curtains and cushions OF the furniture are Of
gray Tin with wide borders of maroon
velvet The curtains are lined with straw
colored silk, and the under curtains are OF
exquisite lace. Taken all in all, the coors
are in perfect harmony, and the room has
rich, though at the same time, plain appear
ance. The Blue room, where walls furni-
lure, cur tains are all Of = beautiful delicate
blue, is undoubtedly one of the handsomes.
drawing rooms to be''found anywhere Amid
all this splendor it is very curious to see the
carpets covered with canvass, as if they
were not put there to be stepped upon, and
as if the country could not afford to have
them worn.
The holiday season has been one of much
gayety in the world Of society that politics
have for time been lost sight Of and quie,
reigns among the halls of the Capitol. This,
however, will cease when Congress, on
Monday next, enters on its season for work,
and the people, not an-easonably, expect
that something Will: be done to relieve the
troubled condition OF the country. Of tho
bills said to be about to be brought in Is
one, abolishing the offic. of Chief Justice Of
the SupremessCourt AL Office which does not
as generally supposed. exist by virtue of tho
Cosutu.lon Dlt S,ao J tncol<l law OF
Congress The idea will then be to have
the Judges themselves select one of their
lumber as Chief Justice. This would re-
lieYe the Senate from confirming or refusing
70 confirm Attorney General Williams to
she Office, and would, as the President is
aid to be determined not to withdraw the
the name, undoubtedly be the easiest waJ
of cutting the knot. Various charges have
been brought against the Attorney General
which are now being Investigated by the
Judiciary Committee, out which appear to
be either without foundation or of small
import Aside from this the fact, however.
remains that Mr.. Williams does not possess
that eminent legal talent or bearing 10
make him fit for so exalted position.
General B. j. Sweet, of Illinois, for some
years past deputy Commissioners of Internal
Revenue, formerly Major of the 9th Wis.
Regiment and later Colonel of the 2lst
Wis. Regiment, died in this city early this
morning; the deceased was faithfal OIL
Ger and one of. the most Industrious men in
the Treasury Department. w.
NoN-PAYING RAILROADS. Reports
from one hundred and fifteen Ameri-
can Railroads show that they are in
default, being unable to pay the inter
est on their bonds. The total amount
of indebtedness represented is over
s2T, 100000, going to show that all
railroad investments do not pay. The
fact is within the past few years rail
roads all over the country have increas-
beyond the demand for them.
A western member of CONGRESS in
tends to introduce bill providing for
system Of guards to be established