The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-04-28
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsu1NeroN, d. c., April a3rd, 1877

WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April 23rd, 1877.
DEAR WHIG:-The vast amounC of sad
rain and swift wind among the soft, green
trees that fell over the city and fields last
week, while very good for the agriculture
lists, indicates that nature is provided lit
tie stitfiy in its joints. and can do good
turn with considerable incidental inconve-
nience. But the Spring time is come, gen
tie Annie, and the oyster will be succeeded
by the crab, and as the mild atmosphere
increases the trade in bananas, the pictur-
esque scene of yore is renewed and the
elderly gentlemen paws the air with his
umbrella and sits down on the pavement
with such violence that when he catches
breath he begs the passer-by to look in his
hat for the remains of his spinal column.
RUSSIA.
The event of last week was the visit of
those imperial youths, Dukes Alexis and
Constantine. They had been here before
this Spring, but that was in a quiet, unos-
tentatious way. But this time they came
in state, with much pomp and circumstance.
The state dinner came off at the White
House on Thursday evening with great
eclat Never before has more brilliant
assemblage been gathered within its his
toric walls to celebrate the hospitality of
an American President TO a foreign power.
THE GRAND DUKES.
were entertained by the President and Mrs.
Hayes, with distinguished success, under
the auspices of the Secretary of State, with
the addition of a boisterous welcome from
the higher or outer elements. The coinci
dence was striking. A storm brewing with
the political powers of Europe a tempest
of thunder and lightning to our invited
guests
The day had been threatening. Storms
and struggling sunbeams throughout alter
mated with April variety, as If anxious to
make more memorable the imperial event.
The city undulated betwixt the TRANSITIONS
but during the morning was alive with
curious eyes. which peered in at the White
House, "mousing about for items of
news concerning the proceedings of the
strangers and their appearance.
THE STATE DINNER
is reported to have been preceded by do
nestle Cabinet meeting over the wine ques-
ton. Mrs. Hayes yielded reluctant con
sent to the use of the ruby tluid :. for this
one time with the understanding that
hereafter no wine shall be served at state
dinners. In consequence. there are nun
bers here wearing smiles like a man having
a back tooth pulled.
MRS. BELKEAP.
Upon last Friday this beautiful woman
left Washing where, at the Arlington
Hotel, she has resided since last summer
for her home in the West. OF all who
once followed, battered sought and sued
| this graceful aud winning woman of fash
ion. not one was near to say, i'll leaden tone,
farewell. She had fallen from her high
estate. and when the exposure came, the
manner in which she came To the front aud
! attempted to shield her husband aud hel
dead sister by eliminating herself was
brave. She failed. but the effort was heroic
and made a noble woman of one who but
a little before, seemed only one of many
! lovely women dispensing graceful hoSpi
tally to a heartleSs world.
GENERAL GRANT.
/ Ex-President Grant and Mrs. Grant ar
! rived in the city, this evening, about G
O'Clock, and took apartments at Willard
hotel They came quietly and without any
ceremony whatever, and their presence here
was known but to u favored few. They
came direct from Harrisburgh, Pa, where
/ they were the guests Of Senator Cameron.
A splendid suite of parlors has been Sc,
apart for them, at Wizards Hotel. and
/ they will probably remain in the city about
week. They come to pay a farewell visit
| to the Capitol, preparatory to leaving fol
/ Europe.
! CoNGREssMEN's PREDICAMENT.
| An interesting development has been
reached by the Post-otfice Department, as
antagonized to the frauking privilege,
which pointedly exhibits the necessity OF
specific words in Congressional acts.
! The Forty Fourth Congress passed reso,
| luton to the effect that members of Con
| gress should be permitted "to send and
receive through the mails, public docu.
mentS, etc, upon the at1iXing of their sig
natures Congress thought it had done i
very clever thing, but the Post Office De
| partment goes one better, seeing it in a
different light, and decides in compliance
with the bill, "that Congressman shall be
! permitted to send through the mails" etc,
upon payment of the regular postage rates.
as the words of the act cannot be construed
| literally to permit them to frank. This
! will cause considerable arguma nt on both
| sides of the case.
THE sPEAKERsHIP.
The race for the Speakership grows ex,
citing with the prospect of an extra session
of Congress. Several of the contestant
are now in the city; among the number is
! Sam Randall, who is working like beaver.
He conducts ii most Voluminous correspond
ence from the Speaker room of the House.
and thus uses room furnished. lighted
and heated at the expense Of the Govern
ment which, according to Mr.. Randall. was
so Impoverished that the most niggardiy
| economy was necessary. lie doubtless also
uses the pens, ink and paper which the
| Government pays for and he certainly will
not pretend that he is transactlng Govern
ment business i'll setting UP the pins for his
own election to the SpeakerShip. RqRdaN
is as bad as his twin sham economist, HoL
nan, who was caught in the basement of
the Capitol, not long ago. fraullug tons Of
| documents to Indiana. The true inward
ness of these economists will come to the
surface now and then. They make use Of
the Government property Just as common
people do.
NEXT.
The city wore gala and holiday appear
ance to day. The streets were thranged
with people anxious to with SIS the parade
of Forepaush's great show. 1t was beau
tiful spectacle, and Respondent with all the
glitter and CLEAN of oriental grandeur. and
was conceded to be the largest and grand
est ever seen on the broad streets Of the
District.
Truthfully yours, J. II. p.
suffered for more than a year with indiges