Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-12-22
Our Washington Letter.

| Our Washington Letter.
| WASHINGTON, ID. c., December 49, 1880
| Mr. Editor Congress is just now in aqusndary
whether to adjourn over the holidays, as is usual,
| or try to keep quorum here and hurry up the
| business OF the session. The house favors ad-
| journment but the senate objects. By Monday
| next 1t will be found that so many members have
| already left for their homes that an adjournment
cannot be avoided. The event of the week has
been the
VISIT OF GENERAL GRANT
| He arrived on Monday and was met at the
depot by five hundred Boys in Blue OF which
organization the general is commander and was
escorted to the residence Of General Beale by the
| several companies and host OF citizens. The
avenue was crowded from Sixth street to the
Treasury, and the general was given a very en-
thusiastic welcome all along the line lie was
seated in carriage with Generals Logan, Hawey
and Burnside and was kept busy in bowling his
Acknowledgements to the outbursts of cheers
which were given at almost every step of the pro-
cession. The general looks somewhat older than
he did four years ago, his beard being plentfully
streaked with gray. He seemed to take the re-
cepton which was offered him as a matter of
the last three years. Mrs. Grant and Mrs Jesse
Grant, who accompanied the general, were driven
direct to the house of General Beale whose guests
they were to be during their visit here, and there
the procession soon arrived. General Grant made
his appearance on the balcony and made few
remarks in acknowledgment Of the demonstra-
tons OF welcome from the crowd below.
In the evening a distinguished party were in
vited to meet General Grant at dinner, including
Senator and Mrs Carpenter Senators Anthony,
Burnside and Cameron, and Mr.. and Mrs. L. p.
Morton. On Tuesday the general dued with
General Burnside. Among those present were
Senators Edmunds Anthony, Logan and Allison;
General Beale and Ben Perley Poore. In the
evening grand reception was rendered the ex-
president by the Boys in Blue at Masonic Tenn
pie where the guest Of the evening was intro
duced upon the platform and made a lengthy
speech, in which he referred to his travels abroad
and the love he felt for his own country in COM
parison to all others. At the conclusion OF his
speech season of hand shaking occurred and
the general retired
On Wednesday evening dinner was given at
the White House in honor of General and Mrs
Grant. The guests included Vice President
Wheeler, Chief Justice and Mrs Waite, Secretary
and Mrs. Eyarts, Secretary and Mrs. Sherman,
Attorney General Devens Senator and Mrs Ed
munds, and General and Mrs. Iawley The en-
tire first floor OF the mansion was brilliantly
lighted including the Conservatives, OF which a
view WAS obtained from the windows of the state
dining-room. This room, the parlors and grand
corridor were all lined with tropical plants, taste
fully grouped, and choice cut flowers were ar
in ha al
Grant; aud the ex-presideut, Mrs Hayes There
was no wine served, but the menu comprised
every delicacy. The new china made expressly
for the White House, was used on this occasion
Mrs Grant was attired in an elegant wine-colored
velvet trimmed with point lace. On her arms were
several bracelets, including one gold band four
inches broad. In her hair sparkled a rosette and
butterfly of diamonds and in her ears long ear
rings set with valuable diamonds. Mrs. Hayes
wore rich white satin, and Mrs. Jesse Grant a
lilac satin, embroidered in pearls, and trimmed
with rare lace,
Thursday evening ex-Congressman John b AL
ley gave a dinner to General Grant and invited
the president, the vlce-president, the attorney
general, Senators Edmuuds, Dawes Hoar and
Hill of Colorado, Representatives Loring, Clafln
and Washburn and General Beale No ladies
were invited. The menu comprised every deli
cacy, as well as wine. On Friday morning Cen
era Grant and party left for New York.
PERSONAL AND POLITICAL.
Judge William b Woods of Georgia, who has
been nominated by the president to be associate
justice of the supreme court, in place of Justice
Strong who resigned on Tuesday last, is a native
of Ohio and not yet fifty. lie is at present United
States circuit judge for the southern circuit and
is said to be an able lawyer and Judge. He was
general in the Union army during the war, and
has resided in Atlanta since 1869 He is de-
scribed as a small man with a bright, keen eye,
and is said to be great worker The southern
senators are indignant because the president did
not take a native-born southerner and they call
Judge Woods a "carpetbagger" lie will, how
ever, be confirmed.
Three more vacancies are soon to occur upon
the supreme bench. Justice Clifford is afflicted
with softening OF ths brain and partial paralysis,
and owing to his advanced age he Is not likely TO
recover. lie has lost the use OF his hand and so
cannot now write his resignation Justice Hunt
will probably never sit upon the bench again, al
though he has partially recovered the use of his
faculties Justice swayne is expected to resign
next month. Those most likely TO be selected for
these vacancies are Attorney-Geneml Deyens,
Secretary Eyarts and Stanley Matthews.
The latest slate made up for General Garfield's
cabinet is the following: Edwards Pierrepoint OF
New York, secretary of state James G. Blaine sec
rotary of the treasury stephen W Dorsey secretary
of the INTERIOR Ben Harrison OF Indiana secretary
Of the navy; Don Cameron, secretary Of war;
Marshall Jewell, postmaster general; James y.
Wilson of Iowa, attorney general.
General Grant was interviewed while here In
in regard to the inter-oceanc canal question, aud
expressed himself quite freely us in favor OF the
Nicaragua route which he deems practicable
one. lie objects TO the Panama scheme as I'M
wise, and believed Americans should control the
canal In any event.
Professor j. J. Giers, a well-known musician OF
this city, dropped dead in barber-shop on Mon
day last, OF apopexy.
1t is again insisted upon by newspaper men
here that Senator Edmunds will soon accept an
appointment to the supreme court bench
The president and Secretary Evarts will attend
the dinner OF the New England Society at Boston
next week
Secretary schurE will settle down In ST. Louis
after the fourth OF March and write book.
Ex-District Attorney Darlington attempted 10
jump from the dome OF the capital while in the
delirIum tremens the other day, but was rescued
by policeman.
The electoral votes OF all the states have been
received by Vice-president Wheeler. Sol.
QtrE 81 Toiadn nhi, aa,,s. A.. fa.lo-