Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-11
Our Washington Letter.


South, and hut little known outside Of that par
tcular section Of our country. 1t takes the place.
In great measure, OF our county fairs and an
nnal "horse-trots." As 1t IL something new to
most Of your readers It may be Of interest to give
brief account OF the last entertainment of the
kind given near Washington this season.
The fearful ravages Of the yellow fever in the
South, and the great suffering occasioned thereby,
has called out every available resource known to
the inhabitants Of this section for the OF hui
manity and charity in aid OF the sufferers, and
among the entertainments organized for this
purpose
GRAND TOURNAMENT
was given yesterday at the National Driving Park
near this city. half-holiday was accorded TO all
who desired to attend from the government de
partments and good share Of Washington peo-
Pile were on the grounds. The attendance was
large, the weather delightful, and the affair
success The park is on the eastern shore Of |
Maryland, across the river from the navy yard, |
and is used for races fairs tournaments and the |
like. Each side Of the track was lined with ear
rages, occupied by numbers from the surround |
ing cities and towns, and including many prom |
lnent in public and private life. The tournament |
at the South before the war the signal for n |
gathering of the so-caled "chivalry the best |
blood the best families, the finest horses and the
fairest women for miles around Since then it is
somewhat changed, for reasons that are obvious
and need not be repeated here. The custom is
still retained, however, although to lesser ex-
tent than formerly, and may be considered as one
Of theliving relics of the South in its brighter days
The contest is made on horseback; the race is
for the greatest number of rings. The riders are,
t. al. ....l4 4
atred in fantastcal livery in imitation of the
armor Of the "knights Of olden time" Three
large frames are suspended over the track, at a
distance Of one hundred feet from each other, the
middle one being directly in front Of the judges
stand, the others equ-distant on either side. From
these frames is suspended ring at about an angle
with the horses head, and fastened to a wire in
such manner that It can be detached by spear
or lance and caught upon it. The spears are car
red by the riders in about the same manner ~
Indians are pictured when in pursuit Of wild
buffaloes. To string the rings upon the spear,
with the horse you are riding at full gallop, may
at first thought be considered easy matter, but
its successful performance is found when tried
to be worthy the mettle Of the best riders, the
strongest and steadiest of nerves, and the truest
and surest aim Of the best marksmen. You may
be able to touch the ring with ease but to carry it
| away upon your lance's point requires degree
of precision not easily obtained. The
TIrISG OF THE KNIGHTS
| under these circumstances was therefore, an eN-
| citing scene, and was watched with the greatest
of interest by the thousands who were assembled.
| There were twentv-three knights to contest for
| the honors, each bearing chosen title, such as
| Maryland Boy" "Texas Jack" " Suffering
| South and Old War Horse" Each were to
ride three times, and the victor over all TO have
| the honor Of choosing the fair maiden who
| then to be crowned as the Queen Of Love and
| Beauty" There were other prizes for the second
and third best, consisting OF silver watch, sad
die, bridle etc The knights are marshaled ac
cording to number, and at the word the marshals
who are stationed along the route from the judges
stand to the place of starting, shout from one to
the other, Knight of the Raven Plume, prepare
to choose!" Then at the trumpets call the word
is given, "Charge, Sir Knight" and the Raven
Plume comes galloping down the course with
spear and pennon glancing," his eye upon the
prize his lance firmly fixed in one hand, while
with the other he guides his steed in the right
course. If successful in his joust " he receives
the cheers Of the throng from the grand pavilion
|
spectators all along the line. For some three hours
the sport is kept up and the interest never flags
When all had ridden the specified number of
times it was found thatthe " Maryland Boy" had
alone made the highest possible score, having Sc
cured nine rings, and to him was awarded the
first prize. Four Others scored eight, and two
scored seven, all these receiving prizes
At the conclusion of the fitting the coronation
speech was made by Congressman Blackburn, of
Kentucky in a very eloquent and appropriate
manner. The Queen of Love and Beauty and
several Maids of Honor were then crowned, and
the usual ball OF the occasion was INDUCED in
until the wee sma' hours of the morning Over
one thousand dollars was realized for the benefit
of the yellow fever sufferers, which was duly sent
on its errand of mercy.
POLITICAL RUMoRs
are again beginning to assume some Importance
after the summer holiday. Politicians who hang
about the city during the summer months must
spend their time in some characteristic manner,
and therefore are making predictions just as
to what Congress will do at its next session. One
Of their predictions has become to be pretty gem
eral talk, and is made somewhat likely by the
fact that n number of democratic members Of the
House think it will be fulfilled. This prediction
is that at the next session of Congress no appro-
priation bills, except of minor character will
be passed. that an extra session will have to be
, called shortly after the adjournment, by lmta.
ton, of the present Congress on the ith of March
next. The democrats are going to make this ex
ira session necessary. and the reason why they
are to pursue this course is fully explained: They
; are certain of the next Senate and they expect
to hold the House after the fall elections, II such
expectations realized, the present House is tC
, refuse to act In any important matter with the
Republican Senate, and by refusing to pass APP
preparation bills, compel the President TO cal
Congress in extra session shortly after the ad
, iournment Then, having control Of both house,
of Congress, the democratic party can Of cours,
shape all legislation and fix all measures to sui
themselves. Even il the next House should b'
Republican, still the programme Is to remain thu
same to prevent the present Republican officer
Of the Senate from holding over and drawing pay
I until the following December II nothing more
: By having an extra session the democratic Senat,
can then elect its own officers, turn out the pres
ent Republican officials, thoroughly reorganiz
that body to suit the complexion OF the majority
and be ready for work the following December
This is the plot as arranged by the floating polit
n clans here
( VERMONT ENTERPRISE
. has lately been started in Fairfax county, Virginia
which IL rapidly running its roots into Southern
soil. The company was formerly located at Spring
field, VT, in the manufacture of toys, etc, wher
p they were burned out Mr., Joel A. H. Ellis tn
business superintendent was in the city fey
days since, on his way to Philadelphia, where h
4 will endeavor TO secure the required capital b
move the toy-making machinery from Vermont +
Virginia, where they will then start to work i
y earnest. The company are now organized into
! cooperative association OF workingmen and ar
> in very successful operation. The grounds an
4 buildings seven miles below Mount Vernon
n from the windows of which they can be distinct
q seen. The practical manner in which the associa
ton is managed and the success attending it hav
y attracted already the attention of men possessin
& both philanthropy and capital, and it promises
l, ASS me large proportions. The company own
8. seven hundred and nifty acres of ground, an
r have thus far attended entirely to farming an
|. gardening,
u PERSONAL
4 Hon. J. p Kdder, delegate to Congress fror
n Dakota Territory, and formerly Lieutenant
c Governor OF Vermont, is in the city. lie hop,
q to succeed at the session of Congress in ge
| ting Dakota admitted into the Union He Is not