The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1885-05-15
washington LETTER.
(From our regular eorts srondent,
wAsuiSaTox, April, e5th, 1888.

/
The first evening receplion Of the
new Administration was held on
Thursday last. There Was never a
greater crush ut a levee in the White
House than was Witnessed on this
occasion. II Was not gathering oi
aristocratie foreigners and tinselleti
army and navy officers, hnt..s disilnc-
lively peoples party. Twice this
reception had been postponed ON ac-
count of the illness of General Grant
and 1t was thought IL would have 10
be abandoned entirely. The Presi.
dent, however, decided that 1t wauls:
not be advisable to dissppoint the
strangers now 10 the city, aud con-
cluded To hold reception which
should be the last OF the season.
The doors ofthe White House open-
ed at nine O'Clock, but 1T least an hour
before that time the crowd began io
gather, and Wa, sooh massed la solid
plalanx from Pennsylvania avenue to
the main entrance OF the Mansion
Inside the house had been made As
attractive as though state dinner
party was TO take place. The Botan-
ical gardens, Agricultural and White
House conserYatorles had been levied
upon for tropical plants and hpwers
TO decorate the parlors and East Room.
Twelve wagon loads Of plants, palms
| aud flowers were used. There was
but little attempt at fine dressing on
the part OF the callers, as but few had
any other ambition than To see the
President and shake his hand. There
were all kinds OF estimates as 10 the
number Who entered the Mansion,
ranging from fur to six thousard.
An aitache Of the White House who
has been there for seventeen years
says the number exceeded any that
n-s ever been seen there on any one
evening during that time. The
crowd was conspicuousiy dem cratic.
At the same time, many were In line
who are ia official life in Washington.
many whose names are In the blue
book, anu Senators aud Members
elect OF the next House.
The Intention of the President End
his cabinet To remain In Washington
during the summer has tina effect OF
prolonging the social aud business
season, and promises to redier the
coming summer on. of the most
eventful and animated that has ever
been known here. Toe work OF the
departments and all The operations of
the Government, except the Legisla-
tive branch, have to go on through
out the year, and Mr. Cleveland sees
no reason why there should be re-
taxation Of official vigilance or indus
try. fhe eff-cfs of alI-summer ad-
ministration will be observable iu
many respects Business men will
pay as much attention this year to
their summer preparations rs has
been bestowed upon those for spring
and autumn. And society IL appar.
emily unconscious that tne long esiah
Iished season IL about 10 expire.
Plans are already made and iavita-
tions Issued for events extending be-
yond the expiration OF the spring.
The prospect of making the busy
season perennial at The Capital Is one
which all classes welcome with pleas
ure.
PRESIDENT Cleveland's daily routine
business has been seriously retarded
during the past week by the illness
of Col. Lamont, his private secretary,
who has succumbed to over-work.
Since the commencement of the Ad-
ministration Col. Lamont has been
marvel to those around him. His
example of energy and industry is
one that few of the Governments SER
wants care to initiate. He has been
at his desk everJ day before 0 a. M,
and his working hours! have contin-
uedsbeyond midnight. His days are
devoted to the president and to the
constant stream Uf business callers.
The hours after dark he has spent In |
disposing OF correspondence that re-
quired his personal attention. One
of his ass ciatcS remarked that the !
Co;nnei Seemed Ia have no other am
bition than to perform the work be-
fore him. lie neither reads the
pipers, smokes, gossips, plays cards,
uUI guys w CluoS VI any P''CCo va
His waking hours are
devoted entirely TO the Presidents
Even Mr. Cleveland, who has
scarcely ever known what 1t was TO
feel the pressure oi constant appllca-
tion, looked little jaded at the re.
ception the other evening, and at one
time during the fatiguing exercise Of
his two hours of handshaking, called
for q glass of water. During the
heated term OF the coming summer,
he will occupy the cottage reserved
for the use of Presidents az the Soldiers