The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-01-10
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. e. Jan. 5, 1873.

Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. d. z. Jan. S. 1873.
THE CHRISTMAS PANDEMONIUM.
for the past week or more, outrivaled
our Congressional circus, with its
hordes ofnoise and confusion. Every |
body has been on q "big jamboree,"
night hideous with ungodly
glee, and daytime diabolically blue.
Times were dull, money scarce, and
the weather as bad as the times, which
were abominable. Hoodlums born of
the devil, with toot horns and pistol
accompaniment, were granted carte
blanche to berate everything and eve
rybody. 1t was the biggest fraud we
ever saw, and almost drove our people
to Bob Ingersoll's version of holy writ.
The whole of the past year has been
one of starvation, fraud and rascality,
aud we are exceedingly. jubilant that
we have seen the last of it, to which
we bid farewell without regret, and
welcome the clear bright sky and stiff,
bracing air which our New Year'sday
gave US. The weather prophet had
been eagerly watched for a week past,
for New Years day is one of no small
consideration to Washington COM
munity. On this day, all nations, both
great and small, vie with each other,
through their diplomatic representa-
tives, in greeting the occupant of the
White House. Ceremony and etti-
quette are strictly observed, while rank
and precedence gaze upon each other
with jealous care. The White House
presented the same gay and brilliant
appearance it wore at the anniversary
silver wedding of Mr.. Hayes, the Mon
day night previous, the cut flowers
having been replaced by fresh odorif-
erous ones. The thousand and one
brilliant gas jets of the chandeliers. to-
gether with the merry warbling of the
five hundred canaaies, distributed equi-
Room, and the further addition of
ninety pieces of music in the outer
veetibule, added much to the brilliancy
OF the scene, as the Foreign Embassa-
doris, in full Court Costume, with the
handsomely dressed ladies of their re-
spective households, and the Cabinet
officers and their wives. Is we'll as an
immense numbef. of 10th male and
female promenaders surgingt to and fro,
Eopened the reception with q grand
magnificence seldom, if ever, equalled
at the Nations Capital, to the dulcet
strains of enlivening music, which
completely filled the surrounding air,
and all went merry as the marriage
Bellies. The other various receptions
were equally as resplendent, and every
body called from house to house, on
every other body, all receiving with
open front windows, which let in the
sweet light of Heaven, streaming
across the velvet and moquette carpets,
throwing profusion oflight and shade
over satin and damask chairs, as well
as the luxuriant hair and marble brow
of the fair sex, who received their
guests, making q scene of beauty un-
surpassed by the myaiads of gas burn
ers usually displayed on such occasions.
The magnificent feast of beauty and
dress, was one of complete bewilder-
ment, over the fair forms, jewels, laces
trimmings, buttons and ruches which
prevailed in numberless profusion,
even the "Red Man" now here, such
as the Cherokees, Creeks, Chocktaws
and several other Indian delegations
joined in the festivities, and were
the observed of all Observers" }" as they
called ut the White House. and upon
| the heads of Departments and Others
where they were furnished with all the
hospitalities of the pale face. 1t was q
day long to be remembered, and we
earnestly hope your many readers
passed their New Years day equally
as merrily, with many kind wishes fol
their successful happiness throughout
the coming year, and goodly share
for yourself and newspaper enterprise.
THE ARMY,
judging from the temper of the House
during the past session, will not be re-
duced in number of men, but there is
a determined effort at work that will
insist upon quite a reduction in the
number of line and staff officers, which
can be easily effected without any
detriment to the good of the country
and at the same time be quite relie
to "tfncle Sans" pocket. At its pres
ent standard, we have one officer tt
ev,ry eight men, and the Brigadiers
Colonels and Majors, loafing around
our hotels, bar-rooms, billiard saloons
and other places of worse repute, in {
half Intoxicated condition, lording II
over, what these military tramps arr
pleased to call "only civilian" are al
thick as fieas on a dogs back, and just
as worthless. This is indeed the Opin.
ion pretty generally expressed outside
of those personally interested.
| THE NEW PARLIAMENTARY RULE,
to be offered in the House. immediate.
ly after the present holiday recess,
provides that the dilatory motion shall
be in order, pending motions for in.
vestigations by select or standing COM
mittees. will meet with as much per
sistent fillibustering against it by the
RAIDS, as against the investigators
themselves. The secret operations o:
the Treasury and other Departments,
tell SO forcibly against the party in
power for the last II years, that they
will stifle all attempts at even the idea
Of Investigation which whenever al.