The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-01-15
WASHINGTON.
OUR SPECIAL LETTER.

WASHINGTON, d. G. Jan. 10, 1881.
The weather is hardly fair subject for
letter writing, yet il has been leading topic
of conversation here lately. Washington
has lost some of its reputation for a semi,
tropical winter climate. Through the re-
cent change in the weather office of the Sig
nal Service Bureau, and the extraordinary
conduct of Mr.. Vennor, things appear to
have got badly mixed. From place where
mild and balmy breezes and pleasant sun
shine prevails at this time Of the year,
Washington has been transformed into one
of the coldest cities in the country, with snow
piled up along the curbs like the drifts along
a country fence in the North. Usually the
most we have is little furry ofsnow which
comes to day and melts tomorrow, so that
a sleigh ride is rare thing and conveyances
with runners scarce. But now we have had
over three weeks Of solid sleighing, with no
present prospect Of losing it. During the
greater part Of this time there has been Gan
eager and nIpping air" abroad, most un-
comfortable TO come in contact with, and on
New Years morning the thermometer was
quoted at IA degrees below zero. This tenn
perature was lower than that Of any other
babitable portion of the United States except
Mount Washington, where it was II degrees
below. Mr.. Vennor is foreigner and many
people think he is wholly unjustiiable for
inacting such state ol things as this upon
the capital of country with which he has
nothing to do. But, whatever others may
think, the boys who could get sleds haye
heartily approved Of the snow if not the
temperature. Such excitement over coasting
! have never seen anywhere, From morn
ing till night throngs of youngsters have
blockaded Thirteenth Street, and Washing
ton Street Georgetown where the declivity is
ample, and hundreds of "children of larger
growth" have daily watched the sport. A
grand sleighing carnival on Pennsylvania
Avenue Tuesday afternoon was an event for
Washington. The participants were in
masks and fantastic costumes and made the
scene festive one.
New Years day Notwithstanding the cold,
was observed in the usual manner. The
feature of the day here is the official recep-
tions, of which that at the White House is
chief. The general attendance on this oc-
casion, aside from the official and diplomat.
ic circles, was not as large as in former years,
but the scenes il the blue parlor as the re-
ception progressed was animated and brill
liant. Mrs. Hayes's fascinating manners
and her incompatible social ways have di-
vested even this ceremonious affair of much
of its formalty. Her rare tact of ofremember
ing names and faces and hearty responses
to each greeting have made her receptions
entertainments 10 be remembered among the
successes that make the name of Mrs. Madi-
son so famous in social lore, along with that
Of Miss Lane who, later on, presided over
the household of her uncle, President Bu-
chanan. Mrs. Hayes has presided over the
Presidents household with like grace, pc
cularly her own, ana many were the ex-
pressions of regret that this would be her
last New Years day there.
From present indications the Inauguration
OF General Garfield will exceed in brilliancy
any similar event since the war Prepara-
tions are going forward ON grand scale and
enough is already assured TO render the dis
play especially magnificent. Reports show
that every State and nearly every Territory
will be represented by military or civic or
CARNATIONS, while the parade Of citizen sol
diery will be especially fine. Pennsylvania
Avenue is to be illuminated for mile and
half, and the intersecting thirty-eight
streets are to be arched in the names of the
several State. An unprecedented crowd is
anticipated. All the hotels long since con-
traeted for guests TO their utmost capacity
and committees are engaged in securing the
use Of private apartments.
The President has recently, in CONVERSE
liop with hts frian1c rama ,Ayal tl,at l..
extremely well pleased that his term Of of.
fee was so rapidly drawing to close. He
said TO gentleman who talked 10 him on
the subject lately that he would leave i'm
mediately after the fourth of March for hi.
home in Ohio, where he would be occupied
Tor some time in arranging his private af.
| fair. His personal friends say that Mr.
Hayes will leave the White House with al
least $l50,O00 of his four years oalary. He
was in quite comfortable circumstances be
fore, and his White House savings, with
what he already had, will, for man of hi:
moderate desires and economical sxpendi.
lures, make him rich. From what he say.
it is understood that when he gets every.
thing fixed he will to some extent follow the
example Of General Grant, and enliven q
portion Of his time in travel. He said TO a
prominent southern Republican that after Z
| NhAAo hN AhNchdCa W NAulN paris OF the 6OuIl
which he had not seen. He indicates thai
he will not care to re enter public life, bu
IT, favorable opportunity should be present
ed and he TAIL To avail himself Of il, he will
be different from all other American poll
ticians.
Judge Woods has been formally sworn il
ard taken his seat on the Supreme bench
Senator David Davis, formerly of the Sup
RENE Court, 10 expected 10 introduce a bill
retiring Justice Hunt, and II is thought thi
bill will meet strong opposition from Senate
Conkling, who will DO all lac can 10 preven
the present administration making an,
more appointments To the Supreme bench
! If vacancy shall occur before the fourth o
March, it is well understood that Senate
Edmunds, Of Vermont, will be appointed L
fill il.
With the return of Congress 10 the Capi
tal, gossip as To the eohiing administration
} the Cabinet, and policy, has been revived
lfa general belief signifies anything, Nj