Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-02-07
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 8, 's3


power is everywhere apparent. The
beautiful asphalt streets, for weeks past 81
defled by sush ana dirt, are now cleal
and dry, and Pennsylvania avenue
thronged with thousands of elegantly
alfred promenaders, has assumed its gay
bright, busy life.
The prospect of tariff legislation is now
more encouraging. Both ends of thu
Capitol are talking tariff furiously, and
begin to realize that the present congress
is expected to do something with the bill
Since Monday. the House in committee Of
the whole have had the bill under the five
minutes rule. AS yet they have not COM
pleted - of the l40 pages of the bill. The
schedule now under discussion relates ia
chemicals, and will excite less dispute
than my other. At this rate of progress
the bill will be about half flushed by the
4th Of March. The opposition to the
bill is not tactious, but TO almost every
article made dutiabe about a dozen
amendments are offered. The Senate is
making more progress. 1t is discussing
the iron schedule, which is considered the
most difficult one of the bill. In the hope
that the Senate bill can be disposed of by
the middle of next week, sessions are now
held until midnight, and brilliant light
may be seen in the dome of the capitol,
indicating that the Senate is in session.
The subject of an extra session is being
discussed among members of both houses
of congress, and opinions pro and con are
expressed. The democratic members oil
he House profess to have no fear of the
president calling an extra session in case
of the failure of tie tariff bill, and say the
noise about it is "stuff and nonsense" to
rlghten the democrats into acquescnce in
he passage of such Il tariff bill as the
republicans want.
Every day of the week now an array of
carriages that would do honor to Il first
class funeral may be seen stationed in front
md around tt dozen residences. But these
occasions are not in the least mournful or
even serious In each house so designated,
nnder brilliant gaslight, q lady, usually
assisted by several other ladies', all ele-
santly attired, are "receiving' her friends
Greetings are exchanged, and every guest
feels required to make few disconnected
remarks and then pass on to be followed
in turn by others. The guests generally
remain standing, and many 90 from one
reception to another, often attending ha if
4 dozen in one evening. Mrs. Speaker
Kiefer told me yesterday that she made
5000 calls last session. This is what the
fashionable circles of Washington call
sociability.
The reception given by the British min.
lister in honor of the Marquis of Lorne was
one of the most brilliant features of the
season. A dinner party was first given,
followed by a ball for which over 400
Invitations were sent out. The legation
building was brilliantly illuminated, and
decorated with palms, plants and flowers;
bright lights were burning on either side
Of the large portrait of Queen Victoria at
the head of the grand staircase in the main
hall. All the members of the foreign
legations were present wearing the deco.
rttions of the orders to which they belong
With plain dress suits. The ministers of
Il great powers were there, and three
embassies were represented by charges
| affair 1t was also attended BY the
president, the cabinet officers and their
wives, the president of the Senate, the
,pcaker of the House, and by many of the
enators and representatives. The mar.
luis visited the capitol, the war and navy
lepartmc mis-, the agricultural department,
lnd other places of interest. He was
at dinner by President Arthur,
ind also by General Sherman.
This being the last week before Lent,
IN effort is made to crowd ali the gaety
possible into that little space of time.
There is no end to hops, balls, receptions,
md entertainments of every description
rne cabinet ladies hold their last reception
his week, and indeed receptions generally
will be discontinued during Lent, bat only
10 give place to u milder kind of amuse
nent in the shape # flrs for charitable
purposes, excellent places, by the way,
or hirtations, and then. too, there will be
plenty of dlncing of quiet kind, SO that
5aiey is not over With yet
The president held his first public
eceplion of the winter on Monday evening
rom eight to ten O'clock. Man, strangers
we're present, and, as is usull on these
occasions, the jam was immense. But
when the hour Tor closing arrived all had
'een presented, numbering over 1000
Jersous.