Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-03-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. 20, 1882.

WASHINGTON, ID. u, FeO. ~, 1857.
To the Editor of the oxford Democrat:
The city is well filed with visitors.
The hotels are crowded, and no rooms to
be had. 0fllce-seeking has drawn many
here, but by far the largest portion are
here for pleasure, and sight. seeing. For
years past there has been a very apparent
desire on the part of many to have society
here more select, and there has evidently
been determination to bring this about.
For years past public receptions have at
tracted comparatively few OF those who
consider themselves the "elite," and rep.
representatives OF the wealth OF the ma
ton if they attended at oil 1t would be but
few moments toward the close, and then
very seldom appeared in the East Room,
but would gather in groups in the room
where the reception proper took place.
This year there has been but one public
reception held at the White House, and
none at any other place and we now have
an aristoerscy, and mo plebian need ap-
sire TO keep from being contaminated 10y
coming In contact with the vulgar horde.
Private dinners have taken the place OF all
public entertainments. and they are OF
nightly occurrence, and on several occa-
siOns tho Sabbath has been desecrated
with them.
The Convention OF the Woman's Chris
tian Union, held here in the fall, which
mentioned at the time, seemed 10 give an
impetus 10 the movement, and awaken an
interest in the cause OF temperance that is
very gratifying to its friends. Three weeks
ago the National Temperance Conference
was held in the lSt Congregational church
under the auspices of the National Temper
auce Society. The clergy OF the city very
generally entered heartily into the work.
Governor Dingley gave n very instructive
and entertaining address, and it was well re-
ceiyed. hear il spoken of by maLy as
remarkably iue production and well cal
cuated TO do much good. As sign OF
the times worthy of mention, As il was the
first entertainment OF the kind ever given
here at which liquors were not part OF
the entertainment, Hon. and Mrs. Il, J. {.
Walker of the Williamsport Pa. District,
gave large party and hop at 'Wi!lard's'
where they had as guests many OF the ar
istocracy of our own land and representa-
,iyos of the Foreign Legations in the city,
and no liquor OF any kind, Iot even punch,
was furnished.
Two sudden deaths during the past week
awaken rCcollections OF the past, one OF
which will call TO mind the days OF border
ruiiianism in Kansas. Martin +. Conway
the first member of Congress from that
Statc-died at the Government Insane Asy-
lum. Mr. Conway was native Of South
Carolina. raised in Maryland, and went to
Kansas early in the struggle between the
yotaries OF freedom and the border ruilans
as a Douglas Democrat, but uuccmprom-
isiugly opposed 10 the introduction OF
slavery into that Territory. Being young
AMI OF an ardent temperament, he soon
became n marked man among the friends
OF 4 Free State. He was elected Chiei
Justice OF the State under the attempt at
State government. and when the State was
nually admitted under the Wyandotte con-
stitution he took his seat in Congress
He was appointed as Consul at Marseilles,
Frsuce, by President Lincoln, and re-
main ID there several years, when he re-
turned 10 this country. Having no trade
or pro ressiOn, and without money, he
sought an office that would afford him
means 10 support himself and family in
manner comm -usurate with his ideas OF
what his position should be. In this lie
failed, soon became g.'9omy and gave evil
dence that he was sfec,'ed IN his minu.
His wife found it necessary TO take some
measures for the support OF herself and
children. Senators Sumner and toheroy
secured for him position in the Tr, asury'
This he felt TO be degrading, and he At
tempted TO shoot Senator Pomeroy.
| saw him but week or two since rid
ing through the city. lie was in buggy
with q friend, but mere wreck Of his
former self He was said TO be very el-
oquent speaker, and while in the House
made two speeches that attracted very
general attention. lie was quite small,
not over five feet Ave inches high, and so
slim that he would not weigh over one
hundred and twenty-five pounds, with red
hair which he wore very long, coming we'll
down on his shoulders, giving him strik-
ing appearance.
Many witnesses are being brought here
from the West to testify before the Grand
Jury in the Star Route cases. They come
from nearly all the Territories and oregon,
and the papers here assert that most of
them are brought on bogus or forged sub
pGnas. One thing is quite sure, that, ac-
cording to the claims OF the Star Route
Investigators, there can be no indictment
found, as the statute OF limitations will
prevent a trial.
OXFORD.
1t is noticeable that most froe-traders
.s,1x 10 arfA