The New York herald., 1879-01-08
THE NEW CAPITOL.
Brilliant Reception in the New
Chambers Last Night.
TEN THOUSAND GUESTS.
Hundreds of Distinguished Visitors
from Various States.
TIE GOVERNOR PRESENT.
Excellent Arrangements for Dancing and
Enjoyment
TEN THOUSAND GUESTS.
TIE GOVERNOR PRESENT.
(pY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

ALBANY. n. " Jan. Z, 1879.
The opening reception at the Capitol tonight
was ting grsndes. entertainment ever given ia
Albany. Not fewer than ten Thousand per-
assisted. and the affair was from every
point of view great success. For sew
cral days parties Of ladies and gentlemen from
all parts OF the country had been making their way
through the drifts TO participate in
the fcstivity. aud to-day they came in such
numbers that every hotel and lodging house in
town was crowded to the shingles. As the time
fixed for tho reception drew near even the most
active of political workers for Sloan and for Alvord
left the hotel corridors 20 don dress suits and
white cravats. The doors OF the Capitol had
scarcely been thrown open when the whole
city seemed TO be climbing tho hill
up Washington avenue. Men. women and children
filled the icy sidewalks and crowded over into the
wide street. The building presented fine
effect in tho clear. icy. moonit air. an the architec
tura effects being heightened by the lights and shad
ows. When the summit OF the hill was reached
the whole front found to Re lighted within,
and although many of the Illuminated rooms still
unfinished the exterior effect good. Promptly at
eight o'clock the doors swung open and the first
carritge rather sleigh drove up. The streets
are still filed with hardened snow and the wheels
having given place to runrors all the company that
did not walk came in sleighs. In few minutes the
vehicles camc in a steady stream. (Which there
cessation until well into tho night.
The crowds outside remained throughout the cven-
ing gazing at the lighted windows. although it could
only catch occasional strain of music glimpse
Of some of the company through the upper win
dows Everybody's attention was ccntcrd upon the
Capitol, and the old edifce in which Van Buren.
Dewitt. Clinton. Wright and Marcy welded tho
utive power of the Empire State loomcd up deserted
like some poor old bankrupt forgotten and despised
by all his former friends,
ENTERING THE NEW BUILDING.
Broad carpets kept the sppered fec. of the ladies
from contact with the sidewalk as they made their
way from the eghs and the three low stone steps
that led to the vestibule crossing the tiled floor
of this portion of the building. The ladies found
dressing rooms in corridor the left and the
gentlemen in corresponding corridor on
the right. The ladies Joined their, escorts at
tho foot OF the. staircase and ascendcd to
the hoo above. In the temporary Senate Chamber
Mayor Nolan, assisted by Mr.. Charles L. Smith
and others. received the guests The broad
corridors outside this chamber were tastefully
lined with shrubs and growing flowers in boxes.
and at end local band discoursei
sweet music. After being presented to the Mayor
the gnests passed mp shs pIghty stone staircase to
Dorsheimcr was present to give welcome TO all.
About half past nine o'clock Governor Robinson and
staff arrived. 1t had been rumorcd that the Gov
ernor would not come. and his presence gave great
satisfaction. He attired in evening dress, and
his staff followed in full uniform. He made his way
TO tho Assembly Chamber.
IN IHr ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
The in the Assembly Chamber at ten O'Clock
upholdinR end Of gas jets she'd Hood OF light
upon the frescoed walls and sparkled among the
II was not the beauty OF the Chamber itself how
ever. that made every proincnader tarry, but the
galaxy of beauty with which it wss set or The semi
filled with soberly dressed and practical Assembly
men. now spsrklcd with rows Of ladies in all
the glory of fun toilet. Every seat taken by the
fair ones. and their gloves, fans OF opera cioaks
ornamented the desks usually devoted the storage
Of documents % with red tape ties Close ut hand
to do their bidding bevy of young girls had taken
possession oi the Speakers elevated position. and
ont and signal to their friends upon tho floor. Tho
galleries filled mostly with ladies' and gentle
men OF more advanced years. who preferred to look
on at . distance.
cEIERRrr1Es PRESENT
Among these these the venerable form Of Thurlow
of y group of ladies stands handsome ex-Gov-
crnor Holman. The stout gentleman near
Bishop Doane. who has Just got back from Europe.
Postmaster General Key passes out into the corridor
who comes walking slowly cup the crowded stair
The lady with the strongly marked face
sitting with Senator opposite Is "Gsil Hamilton "
to her from the other sidc of the hall is
whitclaw Reid. Postmaster James in on hand
stands George William Curtis bright aud smiling.
Chatting with some agricultural friends in corner,
you can catch glimpse OF & es-Governor HSratc sey-
the combstivc features OF Park Commissioner
smith E. ,a. Lane r,,.,s arc .s dsesrnsSle nab facing
spirits are Ed. Gale and Edward Kcarney. Of New
York political fame They pause moment to how
TO Collector Merritt and disappcr through tho door
way. These but q few out OF hundreds Of well
known New Workers present: While you are looking
s At oil ~, these PEOPLE ,n,n 1ores % band ,s nlns
ccssion of happy chatting. laughing groups pass and
rcpass. making an ever shifting wave OF color
ENTRANCE OF GOVERNOR noprSsow
The Governor has arrived His short form enters
and is ovcrshadowcd by the tall and gayly
uniformed members OF his stan. who fol-
low in procession; Everybody expects that
desire introduction. No. He passes quickly
around the line of Seats and before half the company
doorway behind the desk and is gone with ali his
suite. There is buzz Of surprise for q moment,
Hes queer crank is the GoyernoT' " QUANTITY re-
marks well known politician. as he gazes with q
grin at the door through which the gentleman
pected ali the State officers located IN this city.
and nearly every member of both houses are pres
their absence. The gathering is truly repre-
sentative in character. Side by side with tho
millfonnaircs bcdiamoncd wife moves the poorly
clad daughter of the department employe or the
small farmer and his wife from some neighboring
county. Many have come In aristocratic turnouts,
but as many others trampcd hither on foot
SENATE
Passing down stairs again to the Senate Chamber
i is found crowded with ladies and their escorts,
like tho room above. Mayor Nolan has had
his almost shaken out OF Joint, and
has retired for the evening. The ladies' have taken
ful possession of all the seats and desks here Also
and having pleasant time in conversation
and mutual Introduction. peep into the dimly
lighted little library of the Court Of Appeals open
ing out OF the main chamber, reveals several couples
engaged In flirting under the awful shadow
of the sheep-bound tones. In the corridor
directly without the local band referred 10 before
IL playing dance music. and the smooth foor of
colored tiles presents ~ dancing space thirty feet
wdo and q hundred feet or more in lcugth.
Fair ones stand timidly about the cleared
space and beat time with their slippcrcd
feet but decline TO encounter the battery OF SUR.
rounding eyes 10y vcnturng to start the dance Finally
pretty waltz aud the cntrcaties of her escort prove
too much for the resolution of one young
AL Tho ia wh cd tbc doo and tbe