Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-01-05
Our Washington Letter.

Mr.. Editor The new year came into being
this morning with the mercury away down below
zero and still faling-the coolest birth Of a year
ever known In Washington. At four o'clock
this morning the minimum temperature was re-
corded at fourteen degrees below zero. The old
est inhabitant racks his memory In vain to recall
anything like 1t. At seven o'clock this morning
the signal Office reports
WASHINGTON TUE coLDEsr PLACE
In the United Statesl II seems az II General
Hazen the new chief Of the weather bureau, who
is vermonter by BIRTH and vennor, the Cana
dian weather prophet, had combined their forces
to give the sunny south the benefit Of their
own experience Of northern climate. Certain
1t Is that the southern states Just at the present
writing, are getting the worst OF the cold snap
and the biggest fall OF snow. The temperature
here has been lower during the cold spell than at
any point in the eastern or middle states To-
day 1t Is the finest sleighing known in Washing
ton for forty years The snow is well packed and
frozen hard, 80 that 1t is very liable to last for
weeks to come. Every evening this week there
has been sleighing carnival on the avenue, and
in fact all over the city. The Herdic cabs were
started here on Thursday and the only way in
which they could be run was by locking the
wheels and attaching runners beneath them con-
verting the coaches at once into seighs ',The Po-
tomac Is frozen over clear down 10 Quantico. and
navigation has been totally suspended for several
days More snow is predicted for tomorrow
THE NEW YEAR RECEPTIONS
to-day have fully equaled in brilliancy any that
Washington has ever known The crisp, clear,
exhilarating atmosphere and the good sleighing
has given novelty to the day and added greatly
to its enjoyment The White House has, as
usual, been the Of the greatest interest, and
the attendance there was as large as ever. The
Marine band, as is customary, played in the large
entrance hall during the reception. The long
central corridor was festooned with flags and
decorated with flowers and potted plants The
parlors were also adorned with cut flowers and
dollhouse plants. Colonel Casey made the intro
ductions to the president, and Mr. Webb Hayes to
his mother. Mrs. Hayes toilet was a rich white
satin, trimmed with Its own material and fringe.
The corsage was V shaped and filled in with soft
ruchings of tule. At the lower point II was
finished by a cluster OF white roses and green
leaves. Her hair was held by comb OF silver;
the only ornament, small enameled locket, was
worn about the throat. Mrs. Elizabeth Thomp-
son Of New York, the well-known benefactress,
was invited by Mrs. Hayes to spend the day with
her, and proved decided acquisition She wore
a superb black velvet trimmed with white ostrich
plumes, and pearl ornaments. Mrs Hayes had
as her guests, to assist in receiving, Miss Morgan
the daughter of Rev. Dr. Morgan Of St. Thomas
church, New York. Miss Russell of Providence,
and Miss Mills Of San Francisco. All three were
very handsomely dressed, and were able assist
ants in entertaining the distinguished party who
assembled In the blue room. The gentlemen Of
the cabinet, with ladies, entered from the red
parlor, Secretary Evarts and his family mmedi-
ately preceding the diplomatic CORPS The gen.
tlemen Of the foreign legations wore their court
dresses and numbered more than have ever be-
fore appeared at the White House on any one oc-
cason. The Russian minister and his wife were
among the most distinguished looking couples
seen among this notable throng, and were the
who appeared for the first time in public in his
present capacity, was delighted with the scene
and expressed himself particularly gratfed at
the reception rendered him. He speaks English
perfectly His uniform, which includes bright
red coat, is very handsome. Lady Thornton was
attired In rich black satin, embroidered in steel
and Jet; her bonnet matched her dress. The
Misses Thornton, daughters Of the British min
ister were dressed alike in ruby colored satin
brocade, with Rubens hats and plumes Of the
same shade Mrs. Secretary Evarts wore black
velvet with fichu Of rare old point lace. Mrs
John Hay, wife OF the well-known poet who fills
the position Of assistant secretary Of state, was
much admired. She wore black with curias OF
jet, and black Brussels lace sleeves. Mrs Justice
Miller and daughter, who have recently returned
from Europe, wore fresh and elegant Partisan
toilettes and white plush bonnets, with long
white ostrich feathers. The private receptions
throughout the city, were generally very brilliant
and the day in its observances was one long to be
remembered by Washingtonians.
On Wednesday next congress reassembles, and
|. will be here until the 4th Of March, II not longer
THE WORK BEFORE CONGRESS
Ia sufficiently large to keep 1t very busy until
that date at least. Time must be given, outside
OF the regular legislation, for the count OF the
electoral vote on the second Wednesday OF Feb
ruary. 1t may be that the joint convention OF the
two houses will dispose OF this subject in a day,
and may take them week. The average con-
gresham delights in wrangling over law points,
and at the coming joint convention the state OF
Georgia offers an excuse, at least, for a good
deal OF legal hggling. At this time it looks as II
congress would pass all OF the appropriation bills
count the electoral vote, pass some kind OF a re-
funding bill, and die by reason Of Limitation on
the fourth Of March. There is no prospect OF the
passage OF the interstate commerce bill, while
the chances OF the passage OF the reapportionment
bill, based on the last census, are not fatterng
General Walker however will he ready with the