The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-01-19
Our Washington Correspondence.
wAsnIxorox, d. G., Jan. 16, 1877


Congressional Session, and still affairs at
the Capitol seem to.be at n stand-still.
say seem, for probably the work is going on
though invisibly. On the principle that
"s,ill streams run deepest" perhaps there
Il an unusual amount Of business being
accomplished. What there is is It'll enough
ut all events. To be sure, many minor
questions arc being disposed Of daily,
but they seem mere nothings because OF
the fact Of such weighty matters as the
Electoral counting and the unsettled fn-
turc Presidency which stare us in the
face waiting for satisfactory adjustment.
Committees are hard at work upon these
perplexing questions-especially that OF
counting the Electoral vote. This np-
pears to be the one problem whose solu-
iion all things are awaiting. Opinions
differ regarding the ultimate decision OF
this committee, some being sanguine Of
q speedy and efFectual report, while 9th
ers believe that no real effort is being
made 10 that direction and that Who'll
ly new election is the only way "out Of
the woods"
The question concerning the revela-
tion Of kilograms by operators is still
awaiting decision. 1t is probable that
the Senate, at least, will decide that on
ly kilograms having direct bearing up
on n subject under investigation can be
controlled by Copgress-which is quite
different from the resolution which
started this invest cation. giving Con-
gress absolute power to turn telegraph
Offices inside out at will. Barnes, the
New Orleans operator, is still in custody
In sort Of dungeon room at the Capitol
under the rotunda-a room into which
the sunlight never enters and which is
lighted by small window opening upon
m area surrounded by high walls and
made cheerful by the light Of an open
fire and n chandelier which is always
kept burning. Orton, the recusant Or
egon witness, will answer to-day for the
non production Of kilograms demanded
Of him by Mr.. Orton's committee. His
counsel, anticipating questions that will
be asked him, have prepared an elabor-
ate argument, but it has not been-decid-
ed whether he will read it or will con-
tent himself with such a statement as
Mr.. Barnes made, that the kilograms are
not now in his possession. The House
is determined to receive this as sufficient
answer, but to imprison Mr.. Orton till
he produces the desired papers.
The gny season in Washington is buI
just commencing. The two events o.
last week were Charity Ball and Mrs
Grants fret reception. The former wal
given for the benefit Of an orphan asyl
um, one Of the two in this city, and wal
attended by the elite Of the District
This Institution receives a deal of as
distance from wealthy citizens here, who
for no known reason, apparently Ignor'
tho other Asylum for the same purpose
which harbors nearly the same numbe
Of homeless children. 1t may be becaus
Il Ia under the care Of Catholic Siste
Of 81. John who is alone in the worl
and depends upon voluntary subscrip
tions for assistance in her grent an,
worthy work.
The reception at the White Hous
was on Friday afternoon and, althoug
the day was rainy and dismal, the acen
at the Presidents WAS pleasant an
cheerful M need be. There was not
crowd present, which made it doubl
comfortable for those who did attent
"The rich who ride in their chaises
were their in full force, the drive-wa
being thronged with carriages and mar
brilliant toilets we're displayed. TT
receiving party were tastefully dresse
Mrs. Gran, in black greridine over pear
eolored silk-sleeves unlined; Mrs. Sa
toris in n combination dress Of bla,
and white and prune velvet, silk al
lace; Mrs. Fred Grant in moat delica
robins-egg blue silk with white la
trimmings; Mrs. General Sheridan, nj
guest at the White House with h
husband, in white silk; and Miss Ju
Grant in a robe Of white lace over eC
silk, gold bracelets, neck chain, a
solitaire diamond ring. This little la
Fred Grants daughter, aged I
months-received the lions share Of
tention but not with the best of grac
or she was tired and "fussy" as a
baby would be rigged mp in such an I
babyish costume. Among those .pr
ent, Madame Mantilla, wife OF the Sp
ish Minister, was, as usual, conspicuo
She always presents very striking
pearance. Her face and manner, as v
"a her style Of dressing, are Of
sparkling and vivacIous sort. She
dressed, on this occasion, in black ,
vet gnrnished with ecru lace, bright p
bonnet and white. mask veil. Il
Thornton, wife Of Sir Edward Tho
ton Of the British Commission, was v
pensibly considering the mixed ass
blsge and the inclement weather) DIR
ed in plain brown silk with bonnet
gloves matching.
The snow, which has covered
streets for more than three weeks, is
day fast disappearing under the ir
ence Of a steadily falling rain.
has been an exceptional winter
Washingtonians and will long be
membered by out-ofdoors pleasu
with delight. M. NJ. v
A party OF converts stood at the cl
Gel rail in Sandusky church read
be made members. One was girl