The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-06-07
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. C.,l
June 1St. 1881


WASHINGTON, d. C.,)
June lst, 1883.
A strange revolution has taken
place in Washington during the last
two or three wears. Suddenly, and
without premonition, it has become
q city. Formerly the town went to
sleep when Congress adjourned, and
enjoyed the deep slumber that fol-
lows q carouse. Now it is, although
it is June. Don Cameron's big
house is all forlorn, the windows are
down. the shades are up, and q man
and q dog, as solitary as Robinson
Crusoc, are in charge. The Penlle.
toms house, next door, ia also barred
and closed. Ex-senator Window
still does business at the old stand,
but. as when he goes he goes for
good, he is not in q hurry to move.
The receptions at the houses of the
Cabinet officers are still kept up in
\ half.hearted, perfunctory way.
There is one peculiarly about the
social duties of the Cabinet families
which is embarrassing to them and
notifying to many persons. As
they receive a great many calls
during the season often as many as
500 a week-it is impossible to re
turn them all. and the nice question
comes up OF who shall leave call in
person, and Who only a card. Ere
linghuysens, who are exceedingly
polite, on one occasion had their
cards returned to them by an irraso.
ciable lady. who saw them get out
of their carriage at her next door
neighbors, after having sent cards by
the fOOtman to her.
Every Saturday and every Wednes
day afternoon the Marine Band
plays in the White House grounds
from St 20 Z o'clock according to i'm
memorial custom. The President
|also according to tradition invites
such ladies and gentlemen as ht
chooses to sit on the south posrch Of
the White House and hear the music
The President stands among them
with his hat on, except when ad
dressing lady. When gentleman
addresses the President the forme
INSTANTLY removes his hat and re
, mains uncovered as long as the Pres
ident is conversing with him. A Law
| of etiquette, established by Presiden
Arthur is the respect shown to Sen
ators. Usually the President onl,
accepts invitation from Foreign Min
Nstkrs and Cabinet officers, but Pres
i4ent Arthur includes United State
Senators. Also, on the day of til
r WEEK which is'devoted to the Sens
81 tors at the White House a Senate
enters the oval room up stairs wher
he ID received without knocking G
. being announced, and the Preside1
: Immediately advances to meet hin
all Of which is intended to put sh
men at their ease and to keep imp
b dent men at bay. For genuine goo
manners depend upon the Presiden
= Mr.. Walter Evans, of Kentuck,
the new Commissioner of Intern
Revenue. entered upon the dischare
Of the duties Of that Office this m ri
ing. He had previously taken tt
oath of Office in Louisville, KY,
= permit of Deputy Commission
J. Rogers, acting as Commissioner u
+ til his arrival. Mr.. Evans was i
d troduced by ex-Commissioner Rau
a tn the heads Of the different division
and looms. Mr.. Evans is about fort
Ave years of age, some " hat abo'
the medium height, and is spare
build. He is partly bald, and wea
full beard cropped rather shol
On his desk was placed handson
bouquet Of roses from a friend.
=! 1t IS understood that Mr.. Merri'
l. will probably speak about the sta
2 route cases. After that q day. al
n possibly more, will be spent in s
s guing the prayers to be submitted
~ the court to be given to the jury. II
O. case will then 60 to the jury. n
" Merrick devoted the latter part
6, to-day to q continuation Of his e,
1e posure of the alleged falsehoods a.
e perjury making up the affidavit up
rs which certain routes we're expedite
ly A gentleman who has been prese
~ during the whole trial and has car
~ fully listened to all of Mr.. Merricl
ne speech, as also to the speeches
- other counsel in the case, speaks
e, Mr.. Merrick's as IAN artistic prese
I'd tation of the facts, exceedingly los
"a cal, eloquent, and affective" In
.e' development of the facts as we'll
in it's leading thoughts, the spec
hardly ever been equalled.
Or AUGUST