The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-02-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Lenten Season,A Surease of
Fashionable Turmoii- : Prospects Of
Enciting Debate inS Congress : The
SIsthmus Cdnat- Census Supervisors. 3
from Our Regular Correspondent.)

From Our Regular Correspondent)
WASHINGTON, D. c. Feb. 8, 1880.
Take it all in all this has been rather
dull winter in Washington. The num-
her OF strangers in the city is smaller
than usual. 1t may be that. the small
pox scare has kept them away, but both
in the Capitol and in the salon, on the
Avenue, at receptions, and at hops, there
appears 10 be smaller number OF s,ran-
gers, and less political and social excite
ment than there has been during any
previous winter since the war. There
has been the usual number of Presiden-
tial and Cabinet receptions; the hotels
have given weekly hops; the theaters
have blazed with the usual complement
OF bldse stars; there has been no lack of
"briliant weddings" and no scarcity OF
"reigning bellies" but still Is seems to
me that neither Vanity Fair nor the po-
litical cockpit have been as interesting
as heretofore. 1t is common remark
that President Hayes receptions do not
draw as well as those OF his predecessor,
and there has not been an occasion du-
ring this session sufficiently big to over
crowd the galleries Of the House or Sem
ate. But the remaining weeks of the
Congressional session will he more ex-
citing. There are several subjects aImos,
ready to be submitted or reported back
which will enliven debate and relieve the
routine.
In the Senate, contrary to general ex-
pectation,I decided opposition is mani
tested to any aetion looking to the asser-
ton Of an American policy with regard
to inter-oceanic communication. The
Gordon, resolution will come up early
next week for consideration, and the in
dications are that the very animated dis
cussion which was begun in the Demo.
cratic caucus vii! be continued.
The House Committee on Commerce
lare nearly ready to submit their inter.
state commerce bill, and this will enliven
matters In this end of the Capitol. = .@s
To day or tomorrow the Senate Com.
mittee on Census will report back ad.
versely number OF nominations for
Census Supervisors, and this will lead to
partisan dispute In executive session
The Republican Senators will, as rule
sustain the nominations of the 'Presiden,
and endeavor to- have them confirmed
There are several of these nominations
that witlfbe bitterly contested: The aghi
over Simmons, of Georgia, which was
begun before the ecommittee. must be set.
tied In, executive session. Senator Wal
lace sis doing bis best TO defeat the con-
! firmation Of Sherwood, nominated ,foI
Supervisor, of the Philadelphia District
Speaker Randall is just as earnestly Ia
boring in behalf Of Sherwood, though
| be is q Republican. Wallace and Ran
dali are iivai, leaders OF the Pennsyiya.
| mia Cemocaacy, and this contest over
Sherwood transfers their dispute to Con!
gress. There are other matters, too, tina,
will add to the interest of congressional
proceedings, soch, for instance, as the
proposed investigation Of Minister Sew.
Ara. sti .yRv $50 OF roG II Tis .8bis :
Day after tomorrow the Lenten sea.
son, always strictly observed 10 WasC-
ington, win commence, and the fashion
able season will end n elimsx OF Terp-
| sichorean festivities and masquerade
balls. Blessed be the benignant philaD-
thrnpy that invented Lent. TIE mad
turmoil of fashion has ravsged The face
OF beauty until the fair 6ebutante of last
Autumn is already pale and passe In
no other country is youthful dissipation
carried to such an extreme, and it is i'm.
possible to avoid the conclusion that the
older civilizations, across the Atlantic,
are wiser than ours, in keeping their
daughters out Of society until they have
been married, and in preserving for hus-
hands that Matinal freshness which the
American yoane lady dissipates upon
Tom, Dick and Harry. aaia sangf sf