Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-05-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER


Correspondence of the Bulletin
/ WASHINGTON April 9th, 1877.
The political situation has lost
much of it's interest since the return
Of the Louisiana Commission, and
the peaceful retiracy of Packard's
followers from the State House in
New Orleans. Our politicians are
girding themselves for Congress-
ional conflict upon these vexed
Southern matters, and, instead of the
open discussion Of such matters, we
lookers-on have nothing to do but
note the busted preparations of the
combatants for the approaching fray.
The cry of war times, CAL quiet
along the Potomac" is supplemented
now with, sand at New Orleans"
The Commission sent to Louisiana
having returned and reported to the
President the result of their labors,
and shown how automatically they
engineered peaceful acquiescencc
to the fiat that the troops must be
withdrawn, were dined at the White
House, and have returned to their
homes. The excitement among the
Republicans and Democrats over the
anticipated presidential action has so
completely disappeared that we al
most wonder if our political solons
were aroused at all.
A lively tonic for discussion has
been opened here recently as to
whether Mrs. Hayes really means to
abolish wine from state dinners in
the future. 1t is said that there has
been none served at any of the many
private dinners given by her since
the Inauguration. 1t is not probable
that the general temperance question
has been discussed inside the White
House, yet it may be regarded as set
tied that Mrs. Hayes will exclude
wine from her table, except when
foreigners are present. 1t is we'll
known that while she disapproves
of wine for herself and family, she
does not think she has any right to
dictate to others on the subject, hence
her willingness it should be served
when foreigners IN official capacity
are at the White House table. If 1t
is decided to Danish wine from state
dinners, an invitation to one of these
tedious feasts will be likely to be
viewed in the light of an executive
manifesto, to the effect that certain
number Of persons of both sexes are
to abstain from all spirituous bever-
ages between, say, the hours of I and
1890 p. NJ, on such date Now this
to those who are accustomed to ''take
little wine tor their stomachs'
sake" would mean an order for an
after dinner dyspepsia. Dining at
the White House is not, at best, an
unmitigated pleasure There is a
sad want of eIbow-room around the
executives table owing to the limited
size of the dining-room, and it is Of
ten impossible for those seated next
TO each other to raise their arms at
the same time. SO it is customary
among intimate acquaintanoes to
agree upon what courses each shall
partake, and while one eats the other
leans back for room. The foreign
diplomats are very sensitive on the
wine question ; they not only want
it of unexceptionable quality, but
they desire the different varites
served punctually at the proper mo-
ment. Count Corti, Baron Rlanc's
predecessor as Italian Minister, used
to find great fault when he dined at
the White House, because the claret
was served up towards the end of
dinner instead of with the soup.
Hon. Alexander Stephens, who has
been confined to his house for sew
eral months, called upon the Presl-
dent recently, lie sent his card up,
regretting that he was too lame to
leave his carriage. The President
came down to the carriage and was
introduced by friends who accom-
panied him. He expressed his pleas
ure IN making the acquaintance of
Mr.. Stevens, who reciprocated the
compliment in the warmest terms.
Among the calls at the White House
was Mrs. Sarah Davis, who has shak-
en- hands with every President from
Washington down. She sent her
card up to the President, who short
ly afterwards came down into the
East room and received her. She
told him that when little girl she
saw Washington lay the corner stone
of the Capitol, Mr.. Hayes expressed
himself gratified at meeting her, and
hoped she would live to shake hands
with many more to come. Though
of ripe old age, and far past the
allotted age OF three score and ten,
yet Mrs. Davis is full of vlgor, and
bids fair, seemingly, to rival the age
Of the frisky girl Of one hundred
and ten, who, according to the nur-
sery rhymes, met an untimely end by
falling from cherry tree.
Ex-President and Mrs. Grant have
returned among us, and are quietly
quartered at Wizards Hotel. Among
the first to call upon them was the
Ex-Secretaries Fish and Chandler.
A reception of the members of the
Metropolitan Church was held in the
parlors of its pastor, DR.. Newman,
and hundreds called to pay their final
respects to them. They are bidding
good bye to all their old friends pre-
paratory to leaving for Europe, where
they will spend the summer. Mrs
Sartoris, with her highly-prized ba
by will accompany them, and hel
house will be her parents headquar
tiers during their visit. Mr.. Gordon
Cummin, son of the late Alexander
Cummin, of Scotland, and now res
ident of Maryland, and Miss Eames
daughter of the late Hon. Charles
Eames, of Massachusetts, were re-