The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-10-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Extra Standardization Of
- Political Bestrider- Recep-
lion OF French Guesis-The
Summit Of Neutrality-suspicious.
menI in Flames.

lion OF French GueBtS-Tle
Summit Of WashingtOn-Monu-
ment in Flames.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. 18th, 1881.
The Senate has been in session less
than a week, and has elected two
Presidents pro tempore. Mr.. Bayard's
pro tenlpOre was temporary indeed,
and, when he had been forced from
the place next that Of the President
of the United States, after he had
held it less than three days, Mr.. Ed.
munds motion that he be rendered
the thanks of the Senate for the i'm.
Partially of his administration was
thought by some TO be a joke. Mr..
Davis on assuming the chair made a
brief speech, thanking the Senate for
the honor, and declaring his indie
pendence of any political obligation.
1t is supposed, however, that on all
political questions he will, when
called on, give the casting vote in
favor of the Republicans. In a
speech, delivered by him in the last
session of the Senate, he said that,
having been elected by Democratic
votes, he felt it incumbent to carry
out Democratic policy as far asrhv
could consistently. This being his
theory, it is supposed that he now.
having been elevated to the Vice
Presidency by Republican votes, will
feel himself bound to sustain Repub-
lican policy. Some will be anxious
to know if his last elevation cancels
the obligations of the past, and it is
no doubt a question sufficiently knot.
ty for the judicial mind of ex-Judge
Davis himself. My own opinion is
that he will now, as in the past,
prove an Independent. This is his
favorite role. The only difference
now is that the fence is higher, the
top plank sharper, and the weight OF
the political bestrider increased!
| have it very straight that no
Cabinet nominations will be sent in
before the middle of next week
President Arthur is developinga rep.
utation for reticence and silent So
sacity that might be the envy of
General Grant himself.
This has been a gala day, and one
of much pageantry, in Washington.
The French guests arrived on Thurs
day, and were today escorted by mil.
itary and civic bodies, from the Ar.
lington Hotel to the Capitol, where
they were received BY the President.
The occasion was selected BY Secre,
tary Blaine for the formal presenta.
ton of the diplomatic corps to the
President, and these, in their gor
ge0us court regalia, our own taste.
fully and richly uniformed army and
naval officers, with the red pant
alooncd French officers, presented
such a coup dc oeil of gold lace, grace
and gallantry as can be seen no
where else on this hemisphere. In
looking at this gay and brilliant as
semblage, it was difficult 10 realize
that, only two weeks before, the body
of Garfield lay in state in this same
rotunda. AT night, the French visi-
tors were entertained with a grand
pyrotechnical display in the vicinity
of Washington Monument, apropos
of this Monument, which it is in.
tended shall overtop the pyramids Of
Egypt, St. Pauls' at Rome, and the
Cologne Cathedral. 1t has now reach
ed nearly half its intended altitude,
and already makes the surrounding
edifces, with the exception of the
dome of the Capitol, look dwarfsh.-
Toward the close of the pyrotechnic-
al display, the black mourning dra.
perry around the dizzy summit of the
monument caught fire, and finally
ignited the more substantial scaffold
ing, furnishing Il display of fire
works that was not in the bills
To-day the visitors will attend the
horse race, and on Monday they will
go to Yorktown. G.. AS.
Mutilated Coins.
We have, heretofore, expressed our
pri n i'm IS H. 81. = =,