News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-05-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c
April 81, 1885.

April 81, 1885.
Among the prominent social events
at the Capital during the week were
President Cleveland's first public le-
wee; the reception given to the mem
bers of the National Academy of
Science by Prof. Bell, at which four
hundred guests were present, and Sec
rotary Bayard's third card reception.
The new Secretary of State lives in a
rather small, unpretentious house,
which is not suitable for large enter
tainments. Having large list of ac-
quaintances, he decided to give four
receptions on four successive Friday
evenings, so that the crowd would
not exceed his limited accommoda-
tons. This third reception proved a
reunion for the members of the Di-
plomatic Corps, the cabinet families,
and prominent citizens of Washing
ton. A story was afoat some time
ago that Mr.. Bayard had said he did
not want to accept the Secretaryship
of State because be was too poor to
entertain in the sumptuous style now
in vogue. He is not able to enter
tain with the lavish hospitality dis
pensed by Secretaries Fish and Frey
inghuyson, but he is amply able to
entertain in the simple manner which
he has adopted.
Although the reception st the
White House was given to the public,
a number of society leaders were
present. and some elegant toilets
were displayed by ladies who gath
cred in the blue parlor behind the re-
ceiving party. The Russian Minister
wore court dress, and he, with the
Netherlands and Hawaiian Ministers,
were the only diplomats present. The
foreign representatives are decidedly
aristocratic and exclusive, and do not
often consider a public levee of suffl-
Gent importance to warrant their at
tendance. 1t was noticed at this re-
ception that Attorney General Gar
land, who has been Extensively nom
chalent concerning his toilet, had re-
considered his recent dress coat reso-
luton. He appeared in a full even
ing suit, swallow-tail coat and all, for
the first time in his life.
As a number of his predecessors
have done, President Cleveland ex-
poets to move out to the Soldiers
Home during the heated term, and oc-
cupy the cottage there which is re-
served for the use of Presidents. His
maiden sister, the hostess of the
White House, will accompany him,
and spend most of the summer there.
To the regret of the new social lead
ers, Miss Cleveland has not attended
ed receptions in Washington. She
made up her mind that she could not
do so and attend to the social duties
of the White House besides.
In official circles all eyes are now
turned upon the United States Treas
ury. To it and its many dependen-
cies civil service reformers and spoil |
seekers are looking for indications as
to the construction to be placed upon
the civil service rules and law, and
upon the manner in which the spirit
of civil service reform is to be fol-
lowed, and the pledges of the admin
istration carried out. The Treasury
with it's thousands of
employees in Washington and through
out the country, embracing as it does
every branch of the government SER
vice, is accepted as the institution
through which the policy of the adj
is to be made known and
Secretary Manning is re-
garded the most influential member of
the official household, and it is under
stood that he has no devotion to, or
respect for, civil service reform princi-
pies. The Presidents letter on that
subject to George William Curtis, is
by Mr.. Manning in the light
merely of a campaign document.
Bitter complaint is made by Dem
ocratic Senators, Representatives and
others, of the offensive manners as
sumed by most of their brethren who
nave been put in Office since the fourth
Of March. Instead of the easy &C
and unvarying courtesy |
hat marked many successive Repub-
lean administrations, these complain
Ints have pompous, insalent tone
n some cases, and a still more Often
i've, patronizing manner in others.
The other day prominent Demo
ratio politician called on an old friend
Tho had just been made the head Of
bureau. Speaking of his reception
ne gentleman said, "If my former
lend had been a mastiff and / poo
lie, the way in which he received me
ould haye been more in accordance i
ith the fitness of things" All this