Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-10-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.

From our regular correspondent.
WASHINGTON, OCT. 6, 1881.
THE EXECUTIVE MANSION BUTLER
BUILT-EXTRA SESSION OF THE
HOUSE OF MILLIoNAIREs-sO-
CIAL sIMMERINGs-NEw YORK
VERSUS OHIO.
The President has returned to the
Capital, but not to the White House.
The executive mansion is now at
the other end of Pennsylvania Ave-
nue., a house lin Europe it might be
called paiace) built and owned by
Gen. B. F. Butler, but leased at
present by Senator Jones of Nevada,
who is the host of the President of
the United States. Rumor has had
it that Senator Jones will be ap-
pointed Secretary of the Trsasury,
and that Mackey, the Millionaire,
will come to the Senate in his place.
This is not probable. Jones' silver
bias would make him very objec-
tionable to the party In New York,
and other strongholds of the "root
of all evil, from which the present
administration must draw it sup
port. Mr.. Mackey, though, would
like to have a seat in the house of
millionaires with Jones, Fair, Davis,
Hill, Brown, Pendleton and others
of inestimable riches. AT no previ-
Gus time has the Senate Of the Unit
ed States had one half the wealth
now represented in its personnel, and
it may be douted if its aristocratic
prototype, the House of Lords, can
equal its pecuniary aggregation.
The increase of enormous fortunes,
is having a marked effect upon soci-
al life and manners in Washington.
Society is less democratic than it
was during and Immediately after
the war. Those who hoard booty
are, as of old, suspicious and retir-
ing. 1t is the survival of the in
stinct that makes the lion drag the.
carcass into the jungle, where he
and his beautiful whelps can devour
it in peace.
Apropos of social life during the
coming season gossips are just as
much in the dark on this important
matter as they are with reference
to Cabinet and politics. The social
character of the coming season will
depend much on the Cabinet that will
be appointed. The President is a.
widower, and, unless he shall get
wife, or near female relative to
undertake the onerous social duties
of the White House, it may be set
down that the gatherings in the
East room will partake more of the
nature of club Synapostd, than of the
entertainments of which Mrs. Hayes
was the patroness. The fashionable
as we'll as the shopkeeping and Ca
tering public, ever disposed to look
on the bright side, say that the CON-
ing season is to be one of I'M
usual brilliancy and gayety. They
say host of New Workers will come
here, while a host of Ohioians
will stay at home; that, inasmuch as
one New Workers spends more mon
ey than host of Ohioians, why of
course, golden visions haunt their
dreams. Extensive preparations are
being made to give the European
visitors to Yorktown fitting recep.
ton in Washington. The extra ses-
sion will convene in six days, and
probably continue until the regular
session, seven weeks later. There
may be a long contest in the Senate
over the offices of Vice President;
there will certainly be for the Speak
ership of the House, and these with
Cabinet and official changes, make
the outlook from a journalistic view
very promising.