Arkansas weekly mansion., 1883-11-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 81, 1888.
The recent elections have had u most ex-
hilarating effect upon the repu6hcans here'
who see In the returns most hopeful out
look for u perpetuation of the present
regime for at least another four years. TO
practically recover the all-mportant states
Of New York and Pennsylvania and Con-
necticut, besides slashing deep into the
democratic majority of Maryland, is no
email matter of congratulat1on Tor them.
To be sure, we have lost Malone, but that
was no particularly sore disappointment
save to a few over-sanguine repubilcans
who sought to make of Virginia the pivotal
state for 1884. An official in high position
here, who might have been canine: omcer,
told me that Tuesdays ballot might be
considered a solution of next years Presl-
Dental problem, not rs to the particular
persOnality of the candidates, but as most
certain indication that the people ere not
ready even yet to accept democratic Pres
ident. In fact he doubted whether the
country would ever have another Execu-
tive wearing that particular label. Before
imposing any higher trust to democratic
hands, the people want to see what demo-
cratic Congress is going to do in the way OF
reforming alleged abuses, tinkering the
tariff, and other odd jobs that may come in
their way. But he thought that the demo-
cratic leaders in that Congress would evade
all action upon these subjects, or any other
of national concern, and thus leave 1t more
barren of results than any congress that % we
nary skirmish for the campaign OF 's4 is
inaugurated by the calling together of the
national republican committee, which will
meet at the Arlington hotel on the twelfth
of December, for the purpose of fixing upon
q time and place for the holding of the ma
tional convention. A tremendous pressure
in favor OF St. Louis is already commenced,
while Chicago, true to her big hotels and
the Exposition building, will be on hand
in force. Cincinnati, Buffalo, Pittsburg,
Philadelphia and Baltimore, as well as Bos-
ton, will all make formidable bids for en-
tertaining the more than 800 delegates and
the thousands of interested and disinter-
ested visitors who never let a national con-
ventiOn escape their presence, even If they
are compelled to crawl under the tent. 4
strong effort will he made to have he con-
ventiOn held in w Washington, where it real
Iy ought to come. The national capital is
the natural place for a national convention,
and no city has more attractions and claims
or could take better care of the crowd.
The question of new Presidential man.
sion, to be located somewhere in the out
skirts of the city. is being brought forward
chiefly by interested parties who would
like to provide the location. But the old
white house seems to hold its own. l re-
Gently made one OF the little throDg OF reo-
pie who daily gaze upward at the brilliant
screens, tapestry and orname nts upon which
Tiffany & Co. have been at work for two
seasons past. SO complete and beautiful
does everything seem. that one would al
tion. Some OF the able statesmen. who
have view to providing for the &C mtort of
future Presidents, urge grave objections to
certain features of the white house and
unite with some OF the present and past
occupants in complaining that the Presi-
dent is the only resident in the country in
private or official life who cannot retire
into the privacy OF a house where the pub
lie are excluded and the sanctity of home
observed. This is so marked a defect in
the white house, so public are its corridors
and vast apartments. and so constantly ia 1t
open to the inspection of visitors. that the
opinion is very generally expressed that in
future the white house will be converted
into the executive department rather than
the residence of the President, and that,
like cabinet officials and others, his public
office, his reception rooms and his official
surroundings shal! be separate and distinct
from his private esidence. Yet 1t is doubt
full whether public sentiment will ever al
low the Executive to separate himself from
the historic shades which surround the
present mansion with it's memories of near
ly score of Presidents.
Work on the public parks and buildings,
which has been in progress in various parts
of the city, is now being practically brought
to q close for the season. The new Pension
building in Judiciary Square has advanced
fairly, considering the obstacles encoun-
tered, and 1t is expected that the structure
will be completed early in 1886. Some in
terror work will be continued during the
winter. With all the residence building
that has been done here during this anu
previous seasons, there is still q great de-
mand for houses for the winter. Several
new "fats' have been erected, but still
there is lack of such quarters are
sought. The hotels have also q busy sea-
son in prospect. Mr.. o. G. Staples, wide lv
known as proprietor OF the Thousand II
land house, secured lease of WIZARDS
from the estate of the late James &. Cook,
and has. during the fall, expended nearly
300, 900 in new furniture and improve.
ments. 1t is a very large house and may
now be termed the palace hotel of the
capital. There is good deal of historical
interest centering around this house. In
all tie long list of statesmen, jurists and
generals who have made brilliant the his
tory of our country, there are few whose
names may not be found on the records of
"Willard's - and during the sessions of
congress it is at night the great center
where politicians, congressman and stran-
gers congregate. Speaking of politicians.
the canvass for the Speakershp of the
House is taking Oh new interest since the
elections. All the candidates will have
headquarters here in a few days. The pre-
vailing opinion now is that Carlisle and
Cox will combine in favor OF the former,
or that 4 new man will be taken up to de-
feat Randall. JUNIUs.