The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-02-27
WASHINGTON I.nrrEn.
LInoa oun anaal.a eonnr.rospsa,.l

Fashionable society at the capital
now takes recess, after several weeks
of unusual gaiety. For a time tho
round of parties and receptions cease,
and tho dovotces Of fashioli's iolio5 eet
a respite from their diasipotiong. Lent
must be to them most welcome rest.
The receptions at the White House tlis
season have been more lergely attended
and brilliant than any since ths frpudn-
lent President took possession Of II.
Az tho last public reception on Satur-
day night there was rush, ard good
part Of the crowd appeared to have
como in from the street ON tho way
home from their daily labors. 1t Is one
Of tho forcible illustrations Of the spirit
Of this government to sec high and low,
capitalist and laborer, alike welcome to
struggle ea masss through the spacious
and elegant parlors occupied by the
chief magistrate Of the land, and grasp
their rulers by the hand.
But the high-toned and aristocratic
reception occurred on Tuesday evening,
when Mr.. and Mrs. Hayeh received the
Diplomatic Corps. Il was really
brilliant, not to say gorgeous affair.
When Mrs. Lincoln reigned in the
White House she inangurated the plan
Of making division Of society after
the guests had entered. She had
deor set apart for tue Judges of the Sn,
preme Court, Senators, army and navy
and foreign Ministers. Members Of
Congress were herded ~ith the common
people, and actually forced through the
same door When Mrs Julia Grant
succeeded to the seeptre She realized
that any distinction Of this kind would
make any administration unpopular;
30 she decided that all peraons who en-
tered the front door of tho Mansion
were entitled 10 the same social priyi-
lege, and all doors. should be alike TO
she guests. But to get over the dili-
Guilty and please royalty as well as dem
ocraey, Mrs. Grant discovered side
door, sort Of sneak entrance, where
those who wished to avoid the crowd
could pass in, take up their position in
the rear Of the ''throne, . and glare upon
the crowd of struggling humanity as it
passed by in single Gle. Mrs. Hayes
aristocratic notions have led her TO re-
viye tho system Of Mra Lincoln, and
she has doors for tho common people
and other doors for the great.
1t is said that ono of the most im
Pressive and gorgeous receptions ever
given in the White House occurred TO.
ward the last of President Lincoln's
first term. The White House looked
old, wo,n and dingy, for this preceded
the golden splendor OF the Grant reg
ime, but the brillianey and rnagnifcenee
was made up by the scarlet uniforms Of
the Marine Band, with the gilt buttons
and shoulder straps of the brave de-
tenders Of the Union, who clustered
about the Capital in those historic days
The same struggling tide Of humanity
inundated the doors Of the Executive
Mansion, but ut every turn u soldier
was stationed to keep the crowd within
the limit Of Mrs. Iincoln's law. Bay,
onets glittered over the daintily dressed
heads and bare shoulders Of the beauti-
fully dressed ladies who declared that
''mob law" was now iHaugurated and
"they should never visit the White
House again, ieasi change But if
the guests felt insulted at the presence
Of tho bayonets what was their aston
ishment on going iuto the "prcsenee" to
find genuine crown ON Mrs. Lincoln's
head. 1t was made of gilt, but looked
precisely like those which are found on
the heads Of those distinguished women
about whom We read in Agnes Strick
lands Lives Of the Queens'of Eng
land" The stones or gems were want
ing, but the tinsel and gilt was all there.
There was only time allowed to note
that dear old Abraham looked down at
the little "bobbing" woman at his side,
as he might at frolicsome kitten. That
'crown" was harmless head-dress in
vented by a Philadelphia miIliner, and
Mr. Lincoln ridiculed it so severely
that its debut and Withdrawal all took
place the same night. a,
Tho bill introduced in the House at
the extra session TO make the Commits
sioner of Agriculture a Cabinet officer,
has got n favorable report from the
Committee, but ii will never 60 beyond
this. The proposition has generally
been regarded as one Of LeDuc's crazy
schemes. The tax.paying people of the
country are opposed to any increase of
their burdens in the shape of additional
ofice-holders. Then, from political
point of view, there is very little prob
ability Of the passage Of this bill. A
Democratic Congress will not be likely