Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-01-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Isrgo1AL oeaEsrosDEEcr oFrHE MONITOR
WASHINGTON, Jdnu01.q 9TH

Al the Cdl1itoi, Tue uOfldtY season
Just closed was devoted, as of old,
to feasting and merry making.
There were festivities innumerable,
and celebrations at churches, schools
and asylums. Charitable clubs did
noble work for the children of the
poor, and New Years day was given
up to calls and receptions. 1t can
not always be said that the tendency
of the time is to abolish the bad and
perpetuate the good features of a
popular observance, but such was
really the case in regard to New
Year customs here. intoxicating
beverages were offered in but few
houses. Four ladies of the cabin6
made a brave stand against them,
and a number of prominent hostesses
besides many who were not promi-
nent, but whose residence were
thrown open to a stream of gentle
men callers, declined exposing their
guests to the temptation.
The carriage and coupe, with their
disastrous effect upon the finances
of impecunious youth, were not so
much in demand as on former New
Years days. And the evening dress
suit, with its pneumonia breeding
tendencies, was exception rather
than the rule. Still there was no de-
crease in the number of callers or
open houses. Hundreds of parlors,
decorated with Christmas and New
Y ear tokens, were the scenes of sue
cessful receptions, where ladies in
elaborate toilets received brief calls
from hundreds of guests and ex-
changed New Year greetings.
President Arthur received, of
course, his last New Years reception
at the White House, which had been
anticipated with unusual interest,
and nothing was left undone to rem
der it imposing and satisfactory.
The mansion was as brilliant as illu-
mination and flowers could make it
The Diplomatic corps brought al
their court costumes, deco rations
and gold lace. The Army and Navy
officers shone bright in their gil
trimmed uniforms, and the Presi
dents lady assistants, of whom
there were sixty, were Respondent il
satin, velvet and diamonds. Th,
President beamed with cordialit,
through the interminable hand-shak
, ing, never permitting himself to lool
, weary or impatient for moment
He grasped the four thousandth ex
E tended hand with a hospitality tina
, caused an observer to say she look
ed as if he went over to press 1t TO
old friendships sake"
+ Some surprise was expressed q
the absence of Mrs. Blaine from tn
White House New Years reception
and enquiries were made as to ii
cause. 1t was rumored that tb
President had sent her an invitatio
to be present, and that she decline
/ without thanks, stating that she VS.
:, astonished to receive such an invit:
ton after her husband had receive
;, such cool treatment, during the lat
y campaign, from the occupant of tt
White House.
After its two weeks vacation Coz
4 gress assembled yesterday. Th
session must end, you remeE.be
4 before the Inauguration of Mr.. Clev
. land. The Senate will be called in
4 mediatly thereafter, in extra session
! to consider the new presidential a
% pointments.
&c Congress is going to have a fer
~ debate over the Nicaraguan treat
= which promises to be the event
!, this session. Since its adoption |
:, wolves distinctive American poll
10 which will be offensive to most Eur
10 pean nations, the various foreign di
- lomatss have been instructed by t
governments to use every means
10 defeat its ratification. They are :
ready moving ia the matter by int
a viewing influential members, and
he is said some banquets have been {
i'd ranged as short way to secure &c
of gressional friendship despite Dime
v entertainments and lobbyists, the
es are congressman who arc going
ed vote for the treaty, simply because
es is opposed by the European mon
n, chies.
mt With the New Year, the work
ire preparing for the inaugural ceren
rs. MES has received a fresh impet
of Committees are discussing and
at, ranging the procession, decoration
3. accommodations, the ball, the supp
A. and all the various details. 1t
IN. thought there will be no trou
j. about securing quarters for all
tor organizations will communicate
Dr.. time with the committee of put
ian comfort. During the progress of
of. parade on the fourth of March,
Iop effort will be made to keep Penns
op vania avenue clear of vehicles 6
c.. people. The entire space from G.
lge TO curb is to be reserved for the ?
len cession, and if necessary ropes '
of be stretched to confne the crowd
liel the sidewalks. The parade at
ex- Garfield Inauguration was farce
The far as Appearances went, because
nth people crowded so close mp to
30 military that those looking from
per windows could see little bu
Ill ,oox,,no roocc of hpadS