The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-12-23
Letter from Washington.
Correspondence of the journal.
WASHINGTON. Dec. lSt


WASHINGTON, Dec. 18th, 1879.
With the House in a perpetual state Of
adjournment on account of the commit
tees, and the Senate unable to get to bust
ness on account of the House, Washing
ton has suffered reaction from the hustle
and excitement of its Congressional OPEN
ing, and has been almost as correspond
ingly dull and dreary Neither do the
ladies seem in any more haste to air their
tiGery than Congressman their speeches;
so everything hangs fire until after the
holidays shall be over. But New Years
day will open the business, bring out the
splendid dresses, and start the fair wear
ers of social honors on their full career of
festivities, as the succeeding Monday will
compel Congress to sit down thoroughly
to its work. just why high government
officials should pocket big salaries and 90
careering all over the country wherever
they choose, bent on pleasure OF their own
business, or why Congressman should vote
themselves two week vacation every win
ter, Immediately upon getting here, and
thus keep business and an impatient coun-
try waiting for more than twice that time,
is one OF the things that passeth ali under
standing, on that you ''see darlly" as st.
Paul describes it. But then there are so
many mysterious problems Of political
life that one can't solve.
Meantime Col Sellers has been here
trying, during this first week of inactivity
along the Potomac to get through his
celebrated appropriations for the benefit
of Columbia River and the town of Napo-
leon, and from the crowds that have flock
ed to see and hear the wonderful specula-
tor, one would say there were actual emil
lions in it, for him Theatre going in
Washington is unlike that of any other
city on this broad continent, since it is
rarely, even in the crowded CAV metroDo-
lis, that one sees collected in the same
audience so many noble people, so many
distinguished men, and so many fashion,
able and elegantly attired women On
one evening We're to be seen the President
OF the United States, his son, the acting
Vice President, the Secretary Of State,
Russian, English and danish Ministers,
Senators Morton, Ingalls,, Wright and
Ransom, q large number Of Representa-
|
and Clymer, all accompanied by their
wives and daughters together with Il
liberal sprinkling of Commissioners, Au-
dltors, Comptrollers. prominent newspa-
per men, and army officers, among the
balance of the audience. Taken with the
bright coy theatre, the handsome snowy
stage settings. and the fine acting, it was
altogether an attractive and dazzling pic
ture. Mrs. Grant was handsomely attircd
in a rich black velvet suit, with light felt
hat, effectively trimmed with broad bands
Of rich black velvet, and long black os-
7 trich plume; her bewitching daughterin-
law wore a heavy dark silk with u lovely
white lace over sack and white velvet hat
with long cnrlng plume of the same
snowy hue, which was vastly becoming
to her dark, piquant beauty. Both ladies
carried exquisite boquets OF natural flow
ers, as did very many others. Mrs. Fish
was in a suit of black velvet and silk. witt
q delicate pearl-gray velvet hat that seem
ed to sit like crown above her abundant
; snowy hair and stately face. Lady Thorn
ton was CONSPICUOUS in Il long trained, elab
orately made black satin. uniquely trim
| med with wave upon wave of white toamy
laoothn hat an airy cnmmingling Of boil
rich materials The Danish Minister.
wife wore delicate gray silk, with blacl
lace over-sack and light sky blue yelye
hat caught up at the side with exquisite
y shaded pink roses the Russian Minis
ters wife dark blue velvet suit, whit,
| velvet hat relieved with olive, and Il mos
7 royalty magnificent opera cloak OF some
t soft thick white cloth heavily bordere,
with ermine Mrs Morton and sister were
5 in combination suits of dark brown yelye
and silk, with white felt hats trimmct
with velvet and plumes of rich apricot
| These white and lightly tinted felt hat:
| decorated with rich trimmings of some
soft delicate shade, seem to be quite the
rage for fashionable calling and evening
! wear, and are 4 pretty contrast to Tho
, dark hats to match the dress, that have
been so long in vogue.
t And all this brilliant throng had como
to see and be amused at the most marvel
lous success Of the day, Mark Twain;
"Gilded Age which, whether the author
intended it for satire or sentimental com
edy,is an intensely realistic picture of the
teverish and demoralizing political ant
social life at the National Capitol. The
| long faced, pious Dilworthy, with hi
loud-sounding prayers and many appro
5 priation bills, has more than one expo
nent, but is said to have been drawn from
life Of the now subsidized Pomcroy of Kan.
J sas. The visionary Col Sellers is to be
met with any day in Il five minutes walk
along the avenue OF hunting the corridors
of the Capitol, eagerly anxious to demon
strate the science Of government in secur
ing the passage of bills tor land grants
special improvements, railroad subsidies
mail-contracts, etc, but generally finding
as this unfortunate individual pithily putt
it, ''the appropriation was all eaten NJ
getting it through Congress-" Poor, I'M
happy Laura Hawkins, with her proud
ambitions and fatal beauty, dying u wo
mans death before she sees Washington
has, alas, too many representatives, but is
supposed to be compound Of Laura FAN
and misguided Mary Harris, who shot