Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-02-13
[From Our Regular Correspondent. ]
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Feb. oh, '84

w AohiNoAOFsJ W. ~ehs IN
The toilers on Capitol hill have been
wrestling with the intricacies of Mexican
land grant titles during the week, and
talking about copyright; the suppression
of Pleure-Pneumonia among caLtei the
erection of n congressional library build.
ings; and a removal of the naval monu-
ment on Pennsylvania avenue at the west
entrance of the capitol grounds. 10 more
suitable locality. AS usual on bill day, a
number of new and old measures were
presented, fiji the House, and the introduce
ton of the long expected Morrison tariff
bill marked the week in that branch of
congress. 1t came under the title Of ian
act TO reduce import duties and war tariff
taxes" and makes &c per cent reduction
on numerous articles, while in few
cases the reduction is greater or less than
this rate.
While on the avenue the other day my
attention was called to men wearing con-
spicuous blue badges. The close scrutiny
of their gilt lettering proved that the
wearers were delegates 10 the long herald.
ed Mississippi River convention, and get
out for Lincoln hall, arriving in time 10
see the opening proceedings The scene
in the auditorium was striking. Placards
bearing the name of states divided the
hall into sections, and the delegates were
ranged according 10 their states. They
represented population Of twenty-eight
millions, the area OF country between St..
Paul, and New Orleans, Pittsburg and
Denver, and were finer, more substan.
tal looking body of men Than that in ses-
sion on Capitol hill. In the rear of the
stage was stretched large canvass
bearing record of the amount Of tonnage
carried by a Mississippi river stesmer
followed by the words If you tell this 10
congress he sure to add that with en-
improved channel this record of work
could be increased forty per cent without
increase of expense. This means benefit
to The producer" Mr.. Ford of New
Orleans called the meeting to order. The
secretary read the call of The convention,
chairman was selected. Commissioner
West as the district of Columbia welcomed
the delegates in brief address, and the
convention then proceeded to business.
The reception rendered the Illinois
editorial party by the Illinois state assoca-
lion of this city at the Rifles Armory, was
in every way brilliant affair. 1t was
characterized by an unusual "aow Of
soul" and beautiful feature of the deco
rations of the hall was bird cage suspen-
ded from each gas bracket projecting from
the walls, the birds joining their voices to
the many others of welcome. Among
those who figured prominently in making
addresses and eulogizing their state in
general and the press of that state in
particular, were the Illinois Senators,
Logan and Cullom and Secretary Lincoln
President Arthur's first levee or public
reception of the winter held at the White
House, drew three thousand people TO that
building between the hours Of eight and
ten Tuesday evening. The usual arrange
ments had been made for the reception.
The parlors were decorated with plants,
the conservatory was lighted and open, a
number of policemen were on duty, and
the marine band dispensed music in the
entrance hall that drowned the buzz of
voices. One of the most interesting features
of the evening was the presence of six
Flathead Indians in charge of Delegate
Maginnis of Montana. They wore full
native costume of gaudily striped
blankets, bear claw. and shell necklaces,
They stood for some time in line against
the wall Of tho blue room, facing the pres
ident and the receiving party of richly
dressed ladies, presenting the anithesis Of
barbarism and civilization quite dividing
the attention of visitors. They were then
conducted into the east room where they
held an impromptu reception, many OF the
guests crowding around them and shaking
their hands. The original lords of the
forest looked good natured, but bored
with these democratic attentions, com.
planned that it was very hot, famed them
selves with their feather trimmed hats,
and wiped their brows with their hands.
One of them, Charles, was the chieftan
who faced Senator Vest in controversy
when he visited the reservation last sum.
mer. The crowd was thought to be the
finest representative gathering of the peo.
pie seen in the White House for several
years. Nearly all of tho delegates TO the
Mississippi River convention were presen
and many members of the Illinois Press
Association.