Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-05-22
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Fsyorite City for Conventions. Assembling Of
the Doctors. Costumes of the Siamese.
Exchange OF Speeches. .sTink-
ering the Tariff"
From Our Regular Correspondent.


From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, May. Is, 1884.
The conventions now in progress
here, and those to come, demonstrate
the fact that the Capital of the Nation
is favorite city for holding conven-
tons. The most notable affair of che
week was the great congress of doctors
numbering twelve hundred and forty
delegates from all parts of the Union.
They came here for the annual session
of the American Medical association, to
talk sanitary science, but they have
managed to combine much pleasure
and business The doctors have been
shown favor by the President, who gave
brilliant reception to them at which
there were about three thousand guests.
Not only were the entire suite of state
apartments on the first floor thrown
open and brilliantly lighted. but the
private rooms, including the Presi.
dents own chamber on the second floor,
were opened to the visitors and the cor
ridors and executive offices as well.
This was an inner glimpse of the White
House not to be expected, and it was
much appreciated by the visitors. The
East Room was as deliberately decorated
with tropical plants and cut flowers as
on any previous occasion in the seas
on's gaiety, Many officials were infor-
mally invited to meet the knights of
Esculapius. The President was assisted
by the members of the Cabinet In adj
dition to the Presidents reception,
there have been numerous dinners, sup
pers, and other entertainments extended
them by private individuals, notably
the reception by Mr. and Mrs. Letter at
the Blaine Mansion, and that given by
Chef Justice Waite.
| witnessed rather novel affair in
the presentation of the Siamese Embas-
sy to the President. The Embassy con-
sists of his Royal Highness Kron Mum
Mares Tarariddi (the envoy who is
half brother to the king of Siam, major
Yrag, Prince Sonapandit, Mai Tuan,
Mr.. Wyke and Mr.. LOTUS. They came
from the Department Of State, and were
accompanied by Secretary Frelinghuy-
sen, Consul Smith, Admiral Rodgers
aud Lieuts. T. b. Nj. Mason and T. NJ.
Potts, the naval officers specially des-
ignated to look after the distinguished
visitors on behalf of the government.
The Siamese were in full court dress, a
costume far more magnificent than any
court dress heretofore seen at the ma
tional capital. Prince Mares, who is
very small man, was attired in a tight
fitting coat with heavy gold embroid-
cry. loose-fitting purple silk knee
breehes, white stockings, patent leath-
er slippers with large gold buckles A
light cape hung about his shoulders,
composed entirely of gold netting. On
his head he wore q black helmet, with
gold trimmings. His sword was heav-
lily mounted with gold The others
were similarly attired. The presenta-
ton which was made in the Blue Parlor,
was formal, and at one moment half
promised to be formidable. The brief
introductions were made by the men
ton of names, accompanied with the
shaking of hands and very low, cere-
monious bows, on the part of the ORR
entails. Then Prince Mares. the chief
ambassador, received from Mr.. Wyke
roll of written manuscript tied with
gold cord, from which he read his brief
speech. Then the President received
roll, tied with blue ribbon, from the Sec
rotary of State, and, adjusting his eye
glasses read his brief reply, with sud-
den Interruptions from the glasses,
which would not stay adjusted. For
tunately the Orientals did not take in
the ludicrous Situation, and the deter
mined frown on the handsome face of
the Secretary of State saved the dig
nifty of the occasion, for the other men,
bers of the Cabinet, who looked "sixty
ways for Sunday" rather than at one
another, in the fear of betraying their
levity at this august period of speech
reading. A graceful conversation upon
social topics then prevailed which Sec
rotary Frelinghuysen quickly cut short
by closing the performance, and taking
the visitors on an excursion to Mount
Vernon. The ambassadors have come
to America for the express purpose of
seeing and examining tools, machinery,
and firearms.
Washington has been SO cool and de-
lightful that preparations for the sum
mer exodus have been slow. 1t is now
expected that Congress will adjourn by
the first of July, and many COMPRESSION
al families will remain till that time 1t
looks as though "horzontal reduction
has at least reduced the length of the
session by month or more, and legis-
lators are rejoicing at the prospect of
getting away before the settled hot
weather. The cool, spring days are a
delight to sightseeing visitors now
crowding the hotels and boarding
houses, and the national capital was
never more beautiful or more deserving
of the praise that is daily bestowed by
enthusiastic tourists.
Mr.. Hewitt is now going to try his
hand at ''tinkering the tariff having
prepared u bill which, he thinks, will
cut down the revenues from customs
duties about seventy million dollars,
LEMON.