Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-10-18
WASHINGTON LITTER.
life at the National Capitol Before the Opening
or Congress Biaine's MsFements-The
Speakership.

special correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Oct. IA. 1Ss3:-As the
time for the assembling of the new Con-
gress draws near, Washington has
emerged from her summer torpor, and
is in the midst of an era of preparation
for the advent of assembled wisdom al
the Capitol. The dawn of the coming
season is unusually radiant It already
reflects its glow over the city. and is
prophetic of season of politics and
gaiety such as will east shadow over
remembrances of preceding congress
sional sessions. Many of the people
who possess wealth and culture, and
make Washington their winter home,
have already returned. They viii soon
be followed by general rush from all
parts of the country. Then the ball
begins. Congress and society viii vie
for supIemity. The former win interest
the latter will dazzle. The power of
society in Washington has to be seen to
be appreciated. 1t exerts strong con-
troll that cannot be dissembled. 1t reigns
over Congress in that it holds both rep
resentatiye and senator away from their
duties at the Capitol Not unfrequent-
ly does the House of Representatives
await quorum until its members can
be arrested in the enjoyment of the
mazes of Terpschore, and returned
captive by the Sergeant at Arms. The
monarchs of this power-the society
leaders-are straining every nerve to
increase its magnetism, and they pro-
mise for this season succession of en-
tertainments on scale that has not
heretofore been attempted. Gossip is
the ambassador and minister plenipo-
tertiary of the social world This year
she tells of mysterious costumes and
surprises that will fairly astound, and
add greatly to the splendor of the dis
play. Between Vanity Fair and the
National Legislature, there will be MOTH
ing dormant in Washington the coming
fall and winter, from the first whirl to
the intermission which ensues with
sombre Lent.
A ripple spread over the surface of
Washington life some days ago when it
was announced that Mr.. Blaine had
rented his new mansion, about which so
much has been said and written. This
house he recently built for his perman-
ent residence. Every resource of the
architects and upholsterers art has been
lavished upon it. Situated, as it is, on
Dupont Circle, at the intersection Of
Massachusetts and Connecticut Ave-
nues, and opposite "Castle Stewart,
its site overlooks the city and cannot be
excelled. The house was rented at 3d.
600 per annum, but l think it will
cost It's tenant, Mr.. Letter of Chicago,
100000 year to run it. Not much
political significance attaches to the
episode. The reason is plain. Mr..
Letter is a millionaire Mr.. Blaine is
not Mr.. Blaine did not feel that he
could afford to live in his house when il
would serve no particular purpose tt
do SO. Had Garfield lived, his "'pre
mier'' might well have spent goodly
portion of his capital in maintaining
this elaborate establishment. But there
is no reason why an humble historian
should spend his substance in enter
tanning world. | have heard it as
serted that Mr.. Blaine intended L
spend more time in Maine. That h
felt this determination necessary il
order to retain his political prestige a
home. But he will remain in Wash
lngton, and finish his history in quar-
ters in some apartment house, or flat
as they are called. Apr0poS of thi
style of living, it is greatly in vogue
here now. Congressman secede from
their hotel quarters to these flats, ant
an air of aristocracy pervades these
quarters.
Expressions of surprise, and astonish
ment are heard from the returning
Solons, when they reach Washing
ton, at the transformations effected dur
ing their absence. In rapid improve
ment Washington is probably the mos
remarkable city in the world. Eacl
year the magic hand Of the builder
works surprises in new designs Of
brick, stone, and mortar. New streets
arc opened, and paved with asphalt
Vast public buildings are reared
Dreary wastes of ground are metamor-
phosed into verdant parks. The face
of the city constantly changes, and
each day becomes more beautiful.
Prominent among the many improve
ments now in process, are the new
Pension Building, and the Washington
Monument. The latter is already
nearly four hundred feet high, and in
close communion with the clouds.
The political horizon is hazy here in
Washington. As the contest draws
near, the speakership problem becomes
more and more paramount. Specula-
tons for Randall, Carlisle, and Cox are
rife. Mr. Randall bears the air of a
man who sees easy victory IN his grasp.
JUNIUs.
Mrs. REV. JAMES EATON addressed a
large and attentive audience, in the Con-
gregational Church. last Sabbath after