Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1880-02-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular corresponaent-l

" ArHINSioc, ~ A-s TED. ~, 1ccU.
1t is said that one of the most inn
pressive and gorgeous receptions ever
givenin the White House occurred
toward the last Of President LincoIn's
first term. The White House looked
old, worn and dingy, for this preceded
the golden splendor Of the Grant regi-
me, and the brilliancy and magnifi-
cence was made up by tile scarlet un;-
forms Of the Marine Band with the
gilt buttons and shoulder straps Of the
brave defenders Of the Union, who
clustered about the Capital in those
historic days. Tie same struggling
tide of humanity inundated the doors
of the Executive Mansion, but at ev-
cry turn a soldier was stationed to
keep the crowd within the limit of
Mrs. Lincoln's law. Bayonets gilt
tering over the daintily dressed heads
and bare shoulders of the beautifully
dressed ladies who declared that "mob
law was now inaugurated and ''they
should never visit the White House
again. until change" But if the
guests felt insulted at the presence of
the hayonets what was their astonish-
ment upon going into the presence
to find genuine crown on Mrs. Lin
coins bead 1t was made of gilt, but
looked precisely like those which are
fouud on the heads of those disfin-
guished women about whom we read
in Agnes Strickland's Lives of the
Queens of England The stones orl
gems were wanting, but the tinscl aud
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 llead-dress In
vented by Philadelphia miliner, aud
Mr.. Lincoln ridicnled it so severely
that its debut and withdrawal all
took pl ce the same night.
The bill introduced in the House at
the extra session to make the Com
missioner of Agriculture a Cabinet
officer has got favorable report from
the Committee, but it will never go
beyond this. The proposition has
generally been regarded as one of Ie-
Dues crazy schemes. The tax-paying
people Of this country are opposed to
any increase of their burdens in thel
shape of additional Office holders.
Then, from a political point Of view,
there is very little probability of the
passage of this bill. A Democratic |
Congress will not be likely TO enlarge
the powers and add to The patronage
and influence of Republican Admin
This bill will have arrayed |
against it all the interests except that
of agriculture. Whenever it comes
before the House amendments will be
offered to create Department of Com
merce, Department of Manufactures
and departments representing other
each to be presided over by
a Cabinet officer with the usual assist
ants, and secretaries and other acces-
sories. 1t will be contendcd that
for instance. is as much en-
titled to position in the Cabinet as
agriculture. The opposition TO the
bill is so strong that it will be defeat
ed, notwithstanding a favorable re-
port from the Committee.
There are rumors on the street to-
lay of little unpleasantn IS between
Mr. Hayes and John Sherman. 1t is
reported that Hayes took the Secreta
~ to task for using the Treasury to