The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-03-04
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
[FRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT

NUN W II AA4An La w ~ IN
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 16, 1850.
To THE EDITOR or THE NEW NORTHWEST:
The "springtide fast Of forty days"
has come, bringing with it rest from
giddy pleasures to the society votaries
Of our National metropolis. We are
not religious people, yet the Lenten
days always come to US with a hearty
welcome. Fashion is a tyrant that
bids its devotees ill sheer weariness
makes rest a religious devotion, and the
tired creatures OF wealth and display
sink back into the lap of secluded ele-
gance, with a feeling that it is good to
have an injunction between them aud
excesses of the pleasure instinct. On
the Sth, Zamacona, the Mexican Min
lister, gave a brilliant reception. His
house was decorated as fairy castle, in
the rich splendors of color and appoint
meDts Of his own tropical country. 4
temporary ballroom was erected, beau
tiful as an art gallery, with pictures Of
the mountains and cities and people Of
bis native land. The conservatory com
municated with the brilliant parlors'
open doors. aud balconies were set
overhanging so as to look down upon
the glories Of tropical plants and flowers,
winding among which walked the ele-
gantly-dressed promenaders. Music
from the ballroom fioated on the
- -
voices as in a dream of scarlet aud
orange setting. The guests were the elite
Of Washington, and many wealthy
ladies aud gentlemen from New York,
among whom was Mrs. Astor, loaded
down with her dazzling diamonds.
President Hayes followed this brilliant
affair with his closing diplomatic re-
ception, to which no one was invited
save officers Of the Army above the rank
Of Major, Senators, Congressmen, For
eign Ministers, and the Cabinet officers,
aud the inevitable Bohemian of the
press. Mrs. Hayes, however, not even
for the cold arbitration Of State affairs,
could forget her natural self, and so she
had some Of her good Methodist friends
come, too. The crowd was immense,
and as Que walked up the foot-path To
the portico Of the White House, he could
not but wonder how il was possible for
the Mansion to comfortably entertain
the denizens Of that long triple line Of
carriages packed on the curved carriage
way from gate to gate.
In Congress there continues to be
much lassitude. There seems 10 be a
determination to avoid any action that
looks to a political bearing. Even
sparks Of party fire are rare and feeble,
though both parties are, as it were,
breathlessly on the alert to check any
advance movement of the opposition.
A Democrat the other day said they
was seriously meditating the offensive
attitude this season. He says they have
always lost. The Republicans had pur-
sued the opposite tactics, and had al
ways won. Now they were going to try
the Republican mode of warfare. The
extra session issues are to be the bones
of contest
4 bill by Congressman Finley, for
the equalization Of bounties. is before
the House. 1t provides for the payment
Of IS S3l per month for the service Of
each soldier who enlisted before April
l, 1865, all previous bounties, Including
State aud county, TO be deducted. IL is
estimated that the amount the passage
Of this bill will take out Of the Treasury.
is over one hundred millions Of dollars,
and will necessitate the settlement OF
100000 claims. There is one thing es.
pecially gratifying about the attitude
Of Senators and Congressman toward
the soldier They are disposed TO give
him Just as much from the Nationa
Treasury for bis loyalty aud service a.
they possibly can. II from eOnscien
tious motives any Of them oppose pro
posed measure, they always premise