The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-02-12
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

Reduction Of SplGrie, Of Gopernment
Employees, etc.
! Rom OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
WAsHINOIoS, y. c., Feb. !, 1876.
Washington is. indeed, an afflicted city ]!
As if the continual and wearying rounds
Of receptions, balls and parties were not
enough, we have been invaded by
Noman's Convention" and We are to
have Tilton The - strong minded" have
been in session in Tallmadge Hall for the
past week, debating and agitAting the
! questions Of women's rights and womens
wrongs; but alas Susan b. Anthony was
not there, and there, and the debates were
like an egg without salt, like meat without
mustard 1t is said that it is the fact Of
Theodore TIlton's coming here that has
kept her away; for ever since Bessie Tur-
ner testified to Susan's sitting on Theo-
dores lap, she has been shy, and kept at
respectable distance from that parsonage,
never allowing herself to get near him
Be this as it may, her absence was felt
severely, for she is, without exception. the
smartest and most logical Of these feminine
agitators, even II she is a blue stocking,
and she always draws we'll.
What good has resulted, OF will result,
from this convention, which assemblies
here regularly once a year, your cores
pondent has, as yet, been unable to dis
| n
of brother journalist) seem that the
chief purpose Of these annual conventions
is to give that great institution, woman,
ali opportunity to organize a meeting,
elect herself chairman. and hear herself
talk. I. i charming amusement, harm
!ess, and quite satisfactory to the p.rticip-
ants
As said before, Theodore Tilton will
be here next week, to lecture on The
Problem Of Life" Ii is doubtful if he
will meet with much, if any success He
has advertised himself considerably, and
some people will doubtless 60 from motives
of curiosity to the man rather than to
hear him. 1t nov looks almost as if the
whole Beecher- Tilton scandal, which has
passed into history land may it rest there)
was little more than shrewd advertising
dodge that is, at least, the view many in
telligent people, both in and out Of " ash
iDgton, take Of It.
! But ! viii drop Susan T. ana 4. Il right
here, and give you a brief resume Of the
doings Of the week The two great events
in society were secretary Chambers recep-
| tion on Saturday, and the Army and Navy
/ (Cente1niaD ball on Friday evening last
| The former was the first reception given
\ by the Secretary Of the Interior, and was
/ by far the most brilliant affair Of the kind
also. The Army and Navy ball Was, as
always, a splendid success, and was sttend
ed by the elite OF society. When it is re-
membered that the day before was Mrs.
Grants reception day, aud that all our
fashionable people had to assist at all these
:" performances, your readers may con
| lecture what a strain It is upon the mental
and physical powers 10 be fashionable here.
From Monday till Saturday night. with
out intermission, our society people are,
as it were, in a maelstrom "f excitement, I
if not enjoyment, for such constant strain !
upon the nerves cannot possibly he called I
enjoyment in the long run.
| But this il digression caused by the /!
many unmistskable signs Of increasing and
excessive fatigue that | observed at the I
hop at the Ebbitt, Saturday night Ii our
beauties could only see themselves as
others see TEN, in spite of paint and
powder. after a tiresome week Of excess,
they would give themselves and US a rest
occasionally; and were it not for the Lenten
season. which comes in giving temporary
relief Just when it is most needed, dozen
or 50 Of undertakers could find temporary
employment, in addition to those We have
already, during Washington season"
Among the many notables present at
Secretary Chambers opening reception
we're Mr.. and Mrs Fish. Postmaster Gen
eral Jewell and Judge Jewell, Governor
Dennison, and not fee members Of the
diplomatic corps. During the earlier part
of the evening. the crowd was so dense
that it was difn.ult TO approach the host
and hostess; but as II grew later. more
room as had. and there vas possibility Of
conversation.
The rooms ~-ry ts ,n All suci, ..ccasiors)
filled with hpNerS 4 the most exquisite
fragraucy. and the tailets Of the ladies'
we're simply superb. Mrs Chandler wore
low-cut, tight fitting bod,ce Of purple
velvet, with long train covered with EN-
broidered gauze The cprsage nd sleeves
were trimmed with po:nt lace. j-welry.
diamonds.
One Of the handsnmest anu most costly
dresses was that worn by Mrs Tucker, Of
New York. consisting Of combination Of
pink silk s.oire antique with scarlet covered
velvet, trimmed With broad point lace and
looped up with punches and garlands Of
roses.
Even more brilliant Was the grand Cen
tennial Ball given by the army and navy
officers stationed IN Washington, on Friday
last. Epaulets and brass buttons always
did have a peculiar attraction for the fair
sex; and if there were yet any doubts Of
that fact, last Friday would have settled
the question beyond peradventure. Of
course, the army and navy we're represent
ed in full force, and the loVeliest girl in
Washington Rere N dutlful attendance
upon the Seas Of Mars. Lady Thornton,
the wife Of the British Minister, received
the guests and distributed the favors; and
one could not help thinking what differ