The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1885-01-23
WASHINGTON LETTER
tFfom our regular oorrespondent-)
WAsmSdToS, JAN. 1st, 1884

again take part In the ceremony. II
was President Arthur's last reception,
and tho last reception by president
ol the Republican purity, for at leas
four years. On tho first OF JanulrJ,
1856, there will be u new official and
social pe soaai Mt tho National capital,
and the large majority Of those who
call will DO people now TO Washing
ton.
There was less calling than on any
previous Hrst day Of the year durln z
the last decade. The Adonlses OF
OF tho Government Offices have not
yet been able to pay tho money they
bet and lost on Blaine. Tho once
equlsite Prince Albert coat has now
"A d!ssipated aud fltigued appearance;
the fAultless panta.oons and perfect
hat are sprung at the knees ami rusty
and battered as to tho crown. The
wearer has not the heart or the stom.
ach 10 :1ce his changed fortune In
these habiliments. Neutrality-suspicious.
arc not like the ParlsIans, who cele-
brated national holiday with the old
time galley when the Prusslans were
In two days march Of tho doomed
modern "0rJii terrarum." The pros
pect has settled like pail upon his
spirits, and Is evident In a hundred
signs. But great many called and
the usual number Of ladies kept open
house on New Years day.
There is talk OF n gay social season.
There may DO sort of artificial or
galvanlc gaiely pervading social and
official life. But how can a political
party be gly at It's own funerlal?
There will doubtless, ba the usual
number cfpresidentlal and cabinet
receptions, and the justices Of the
Supreme Couri, and tho Army and
Naval people who ara not affected by
the viclssIludes OF party may be- indif
ferent TO lheaimpending change. but
they arc as "ons In ten thousand and
altogether lovely" Yol will am
sure approve of your correspondent
beginning tho New Year with quota
tIons from Scripture like the above.
The truth IS that ain pressed for
s)melhlug 10 write. have Just re-
turned from making about forty New
Years calls and realize that thi-
letter must 80 by the next post.
! have journalistic friend whc
last year was smart enough To write
hi New Years letter Oh, the day be
fors New Yeir. H. described the
Presidents reception In what ht
thought was IA very pretty piece o
word painting. He told how Mr.
Arthur received first the dlplomatI,
corps In their brilliant court rAgalia
the impressive entrance ofthe Justices
o: the Supreme Court, Senators, Rep
resentativcs, Generals, Admirals
Commodores, and tho "Irish Lega
ton" without stint. The letter wa
posted on the 81, OF December and
would have answered admirably bu
( for an accident. On New Year
while my friend was making call.
oblivious to the drudgery OF the pen
d and much pleased withj himself, h
I heard that the Dean of the Diplom
! attic corps had dropped dsad In ih
vestibulc OF the White House, an
: that the Presidential reception ha
been countermanded before IL ha
begun.
= All signs point TO a lively time fror
now until the fourth of March, an
after that, the Judgment! Betwee
the 22nd, of February, the time 70
the dedication, Of the Washingto
= monument, and The Inauguration,
Is estimated that tho population {
Washington will double itself. o
: ganizations are coming in battalion
and feature of tho coming inaugur,
tlon will be a large number OF mil
tary organizations from the soutt
It is estimated that ten thousan
persons will attend the inaugurati0
bail. The hall in which the ball
TO be held IL magnificent room, 8
feet long by 116 feet broad, and
believed to be the second largest
the world. It Is surrounded by
series of smaller rooms, all of whic
A are connecting, in which there WI
d be ample space for refreshment hall
; cloak rooms, toilet chambers, ar
( everything else that may be needles
p Around this hall is also long line
!. iron columns supporting the galleri'
: in which will be seats for such spe
s tators as do not care to join Il
. dancing. These columns will be e
!, twined with three national color
;, and between them will probably
q placed large vases flied with naiur
a flowers. Numbers Of plants will
). placed art.sticalIy around the rooi
: and flags snd banners will he arraD
9 ed in effective designs aud decora
"a tho walls The whole will he liohtt