The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-12-10
[FRoN our SPECIAL CoRREsPoFDEST.]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 1881.


WASHINGTON, Dec. S, 1881.
There is life enough about Washington
now. The clans have been gathering
rapidly for some days and buzzings are
heard which indicate the renewal Of hos
tilities on Capitol Hill. The chaotic con-
dition to which vacation. neglect. dust
and abandonment reduced even the
grandeur under the Capitol dome, has
suddenly disappeared and new life has
taken possession of the corridors so long
deserted save by the look, During
the past week employees have been dust
ing and brushing, and new congressman
strolling here and there familiarizing
themselves with the various ways aud by
ways of the building which they expect
to make tremble with the thundors OF
their eloquence. The attendant retinue
of clerks and assistants are in their places
and strangers, offce-seekers and louugers
are everywhere. Everything has been
put in arple-pie order. The Senate
chamber is as complete and tidy as a
lady's parlor-warm. nice. dry, CHEEKY.
comfortable and the Hall of Reprcsen-
tatives is scarcely anything behind; all
is as elegant as for bridal party.
The renewal of activity is not confined
to the abodes of Congress. 1t is every
where about the city--the hotels, the
boarding houses and all places of resort.
Congress makes Washington. For sew
eral months, except at the time of Presi-
dent Garfeld's funeral, the hotel corri-
dors have been deserted and lonely places; |;
now they are thronged day and night, and
one only has to visit the different head
quarters to meet hundreds of familiar
faces that do not belong here, and to see
groups OF ofice-seekers. Congressman and
lobbyists button-holing each other for
dear-life. One evening while the speak
ership contest was at its zenith of uncer-
tainty I saw In the lobby of a prominent
hotel at one time three candidates for
Speaker. two for Clerk of the House. one
for Sergeant-at-Arms. and about twenty
five aspi-ants for lesser positions. There
were also two ex-Governors and several
ex-Congressman aiding the candidates in
their attacks on the poor unsuSpecting
members-elect, OF whom goodly num-
Der were in the crowd.-The Congress
man is an important parsonage at such a
time, and when it is all over and every
thing settled he must feel lonesome-as
though he had lost his best friend.
President Arthur has at last gone into
the White House to live Everything is
As neat aud bright as q new pin since the
old house has been fixed up. The Presi-
dent will occupy for a sleeping chamber
a room that has rarely been used for that
purpose by his predecessors, though Gen.
Grant occupied it for short time. 1t is
very spacious, measuring about thirty by
twenty feet, and is over the private din
ing room. 1t is fully as large as the Red
parlor down stairs. During Gen. Grants
two terms this room was known as Miss
Nellie's room, being that usually oecu.
pied by his only daughter. Tho cham.
Der is on the north side of the house and
with the smaller room adjoining occupies
the northwest corner. The sun never
shines on the large room. The small one
will be, so to speak. the Presidents bou,
doir and communicates with the larger
one by q mahogany door. The question
that has lately agitated our society circl,
is, "what lady will preside at the White
House, and assist at receptions, etc ?
But it has been settled by the President,
who Gays that the wife of a member o.
his Cabinet-whose name is not yet mad,
public--will assist in dispensing the hos
pitalities Of the Executive Mansion. Ii
fact be expects all ladies OF his Cabine
to come to the rescue in doing the hon
ors. His married sister has cares enough
OF her own and the unmarried one is no
able TO perform the duties. There will
be none but formal entertainments giVel
at the mansion this winter-that is TO sa,
diuner parties and public evening reeep
tons No enc will be there on whom
, the ladies can call sociAbly as they hav,
; been in the habit Of doing heretofore.
y DoH PEpIo