Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-01-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. l6, Is

WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. l6, 1882.
Mr.. Editor.
The new year came In clear and cold.
Monday, the End, was observed a. holi'
day, and as the weather was favorable for
both those who called, and the ladies who
received, this pleasant custom was very
generally enjoyed by the residents OF this
city; and now that the custom Of furnish
ing liquors OF all kinds, particularly egg
uog," has become obsolete, the day IL yer,
agreeably spent in calls upon friends
Well do remember the hrst time 1t wal
my privilege to entsr upon this pastim'
and to enjoy its pleasure, that, with sin
gle exception, egg-nog or claret-punch wa
offered the guests, and In many place:
other forms OF Intoxicating drinks were
added to the above. So strong was the
custom at that time, that when q company
Of Sabbath School Teachers were gathered
for 4 teachers meeting, one OF the lady
teachers, who was . family lady, asked
that all present would pledge themselves
not to furnish wine or other liquors to
their guests on the approaching New
Years" several OF those present looked
upon it as an innovation not to be tolerat-
ed, and declined to pledge themselves to
that course. Then 1t was not an uncom-
mon thing to meet young men, and some
older ones, as they were in the company
of ladies OF refinement, In such state OF
intoxication that the ladies were very
much embarrassed by their presence. All
this is now changed, and in making nearly
forty calls this year did not see anything
in the line OF drinks stronger than tea,
coffee, or lemonade, and not eingle in
to Iicated person until late In the evening,
and only two during the entire day who
gave signs of having been indulgng to any
extent.
The delay in nlliug the Office OF First
Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury made
vacant BY the resig nation Of Upton, Is
bringing many candidates to the front
At one time Geo. c. Gorham, editor Of the
National Republican OF this city, doomed
up as certain OF the position His star
waned; then ex-senator Paddock OF Ne
brsska came TO be q candidster certain OF
the position. Following his prominence
came the assurance that eI-Congressmsn
Gilhllin OF Pennsylvania, was in the as
cendancy. But since the Chicago Collec-
torship has been settled, Dan Shepherd OF
Illinois has )een put forward, aud his
friends now assert that his star 10 the
most brilliant. One thing il quite sure
he has strong backing for the position,
but You can not sometimes most always
tell"
The question OF who will be the public
printer, has be IN 90 long and so much dis
eussed that it has lost much OF the inter
est 1t at trst excited, and were Il not for
the lmbecllity " Defrees, would probably
have entirely teen lost sight Of long ago.
E. W. oyster OF Pennsylvania, who has
for many years been trusted employee OF
that establish nent, had the audacity 10
become a cand date for the position, which
80 eIssperated Defrees that he dismissed
him. This hs: brought him into pEomi-
nence, and he as developed quite form
liable following; but Hon. S. z. Rounds
OF Chicago, is backed for the position by
almost the ent re Western delegation in
both Houses, an from the present outlook
one would Judge him 10 be the coming
man. In the case Of the appointment OF
either OF them here is the assurance that
the Office will lie in the hands OF good,
efficient man, and . stsunch Republican.
Mr. Oyster was Union soldier, and fol-
lowed the fortunes OF the army Of patriots
throughout the var.
The Post, the Bourbon organ OF this
city, has become wonderfully sweet" on
eI-Secretary Blame, from some cause or
other, and is vleing with the New York
Tribune in keeping that statesman before
the public. This fact is much commented
upon, and many are prophecying that the
South will "Mahoneize" before the next
campaign shall open, and that he will
head ticket with Jos. Z. Brown OF Geor-
gia as second, and thus capture the Presi-
dency. do not believe that be will coun-
tenance such move as that, or attempt
20 sever his fortunes from the party which
he has done so much TO bring into power,
and has given the best years OF his life,
and from whose hands he has received so
many honors.
The trial OF Guiteau will probably reach
its end before this will be seen by the
readers Of the DEMOCRAT. The arguments
will consume four and possibly five days
this week. Messrs. Davidge and Reed
have completed their arguments, and SEQ
vile commenced his this morning. and
will be followed by Judge Porter for the
Government which will close the argu-
ments. Opinions are being freely INDUCED
in, as to what will be the result Of the
trial, many fearing hung jury. and among
those who are regularly at the trial, Jury
man Bright, it is thought, will be the one
who will stand out, as he exhibits unusual
interest whenever the defence makes q
point.
The closeness OF the composition OF the
House gives much interest to the contested
seats in that body, Of which there are
twenty, as follows, viz: From Alabama
james Gillett v. Thomas H. Henderson
VIM. NJ. Lowe V. Joseph Wheeler; A. A.
Maberson v. William c. Oats; Paul Stro-
bach v Hillery A. Herbert; James O..