Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-07-03

Correspondence OF TIE Evening Stdrl
SARATOGA. July l, 1888.
For some years the Saratoga season has
ceen frightening, gradually, at both ends.
july and August, I'm other days, witnessed
the beginning and close OF the rush. but
AFTER some apparently unfortunate, but real
" lucky, fires had DESTROYED the Old
wooden taverns and thus cleared the ground
or the palatial mammoth caravansaries which
succeeded them, the increased investments
forced our landlords to devise means for length
eplng the period for business. Thus June and
september have been added to the Saratoga
calendar, and they are the most delightful
months In all the year. The bright freshness
OF June and the rich glory OF September in
saratoga exhibit the perfection to which the
weather cas be carried under favorable condi-
Mons. The great world is becoming acquainted
WIN the TACT, and we now have as many vIs-
h Sa1s III June as formerly came during the first
THE HOTELS
Next TO the springs the great attraction of
Saratoga is in It's hotels. The entertainment of
guests is the business OF the place, as trade and
stock-gambling are Of New York, and politics
ana government are OF Washington. The bust
ness mere has been reduced 10 an art and
nmrs ea nea AZ 70 perfection All tastes and al
puIs e. tah pe accommodated, and the million
alrc or the ''thOuSandaire" can GET value re-
celVed Tor all he wishes to spend. our hotels
ale so famous that the readers of THE STlR ara
CouDtlesS already acquainted with them h,It
perhaps brief mention would not be upintpr
estlng, even to old friends. The great pile which
stanaS opposite the depot, and whose court
yard with its trees and walks and SMASHING
fountains first greets the eye OF the visitor Is
me United States. and It is big enough and
grand enough TO deserve the name. Its prede
cessor, bearing the same name. was burned
about the close OF the war, ana the
present structure was not erected
opened in @ is o Sesf of the afsr een
the world, and is kept in perfect STYLE The
proprietor Is Hon. James NJ. Marvin, who is
Wen Known In Washington, where he repre-
Sented this district in Congress for many years
The United states is a great resort for pollt1-
clans. as well as for the leaders In the fashion,
abe world. Senator Blaine Will spend good
part or the summer there Senator Vance OF
North Carolina, has already arrived. Congress
man OBrien, OF New York city, is also located
there for the season. music pavilion has
peer erected on the lawn, near the rear piazza
ana here the celebrated Stubs orchestra. of
New YORK, VIII give the usual morning and eve
ming concerts throughout the season.
Passing down Broadway the great Saratoga
tHorCugnfaTe, we next come TO the Grand Union
Hotel, probably the largest and certainly one OF
The most magnificent summer hotels in the
world The original Saratoga hosiery stood on
this site, and its proprietor, Old Gideon Putnam
was the discoverer OF the renowned Congress
spring, which received its name from
the TACT that a member OF Congress from New
fsaanpshi1e was at the time guest at the Put
lam Tavern. congressman were great men In
those days, and did not often come TO Saratoga
The present Grand Union was begun by the
famous Leland family, or rather by two OF the
nrotnerS-N arren, now OF the Palace Hotel san
francisco, and the Major, VIVA. W., who died
last year. 1t was under the Leland regime thai
saratoga hotels ceased to be country taverns and
put on metropolitan airs. Gongs were banished,
Oils or fare supplemented the defective memo
1feS OF the walters ard meals were served at all
hours; The Lelands failed financially. however
ana the late A. L. Stewart the merchant king
OF New York, bought the property. 1t became
ms Pet, and he lavished upon it everything that
could add TO its size or its magnificence. He
bought all the grounds on the block, or all
that could be bought, and he extended the
walls until they have total frontage Of
nearly half mile. The finish and the fur
or money supply. The magnificent parlor has
Just been reoarpeted with product of the
Glenham looms, and it shows how the Amerf-
OF manufacture. The Grand Union is leased by
Henry Clair, probably the largest and certainly
one OF the most successful hotel managers In
lne word. The grounds are Illuminated every
evening by the electric light, and one of these
uAyugnl lamps In the tower throws its beams
!or miles The evening special trains from New
YORK are met with this slice OF daylight at Ball
SION spa, seven miles away, and run from there
20 saratoga In the midst OF dazzling light vita
a "au or darkness on either side. There are
some famous pictures In the Grand Union one
OF them by WON, in the hall room, being PROB
ably the finest In the country. It was painted
to order and cost Mr.. Stewart $50, 0OO it Is en-
Titled The Genius OF America, and 1t is a grand
tnited States from the discovery OF America to
the close OF the rebellion, with gltmpses OF
giofles yet 70 come. The music at the Grand
Union is furnished by Lathian's orchestra OF
boSton IL Is The largest hotel orchestra in the
co Jntry.
Directly opposite the Grand Union stands the
10 less celebrated Congress Hail. This palaUial
establishment was also bull, by an ex-Congress-
man Hon Henry IL. Hathorn who has TOR
st .eral years devoted his attention to the valu-
ap.e spring when bears his name. The Con-
nj IN
anu Nnen nned during the morning and even
ing concerts with an arrry OF beautiful faces
ana gorgeous toilets, such as nc other place than
Saratoga can produce. it presents grand spec
tacle. Here the crowd assemblies to see the
START Tor the races, which takes place every
morning between II and II O'Clock. All the
Styies OF vehicles which genius Or snobbery has
devised are here drawn up. Dog carts and ssT"
carts, drags and tandems. tigers and lackeys
ana flunkeys; alleged drivers who sit with arGs
folded and alleged oloods who hold the relns
such are some or the incidents OF summer
morning In front OF Congress Hall.
These three mammoth hotels are simply the
Saratoga which are inferior only In size. OF
tneSe Will speak at another time.
THE RACES.
The Saratoga Racing Association Is the most
successful organization of the kind that ever eX.
listed. The course is simply perfect, and the
buildings are complete. The grand stand is the
largest and finest In the world and the other
not only unequaled but unapproached. The
races begin July 18th, and continue every day
Sundays only excepted. until about the LIST OF
September. From three to five races constitute
each days sport, and they include dasheS aud
heats, long and short distance contests. nat
races ard steepie chaSes All the noted fiyers
In America Will take part during the season.
ana Inc LeX1ngtonS, LongfellowS, Fellowcratts
ana paroleS o. the future will dash around the
track for gold and glory. Great numbers Of
ladies' attend the races here. and the order
established by Hon. John MorrisSey and con
uhued Dy his successor, Charles Reed is such
as was never seen on race course before, and
Is lot witnessed now, anywhere else.
CONVENTIONS.
Saratoga has become the favored place of all
the land for the holding OF the annual meetings
OF religious, scientific, educational and social
organizations. The means of entertainment
are SO numerous and varied that meeting here
atIfactS larger attendance than are neld any
where else, and societies that once come, in
Iaflanly return. This year we have already
had the anniversaries of the missionary. publ
Gatlon and other societies connected with the
bap.lst Chulch. July 6, we have the opening
sesslon OF the American Institute of Instrue-
t,on. Wnlch Will bring among us about three
thOusand teachers from all parts OF the coun-
Try. AFTER that we will have the American Bar
Assoclatlon, the American Bankers Association.
me general convention of the Unitsrtan
Cnurcn, the American Pharmaceutical AsSo-
ciatlon, The American Social Science AssocIa
Iion ana numerous other less consoicuou 8