Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1885-01-10
tFrom Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Jan. s. '85.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, '85.
Christmas at the Capital came and
went with all the customary obser-
vances with church celebrations and
innumerable festivities at schools, char
table institutions, asylums and homes;
and alas with its usual record of in
toxication and crime. Charity contrib.
uted freely to holiday happiness by the
gathering together of the children Of
the poor, and giving them turkey, ice
cream, Kris Kringles and amusing en-
tertainments. In this work the Presi-
dents little daughter Nellie, Miss
West, daughter of the British Minister,
and the daughter of Chief Justice
Waite, may be mentioned as active
participants, besides many others who
were equally efficient, but whose names
lack the accident of fame. But the
chief event Of the week was President
Arthar's last New Years reception.
The official pageant was brilliant, and
the President had long list Of assist
ants, including the ladies Of the Cabi-
net, Of the Supreme Court, the wives of
many Senators and Representatives
and other ladies of social distinction.
The assistants stood in line by turns,
withdrawing, when fatigued. to the
rear of the receiving party, while
others came forward and filled their
places. Promptly at the hour for the
opening of the reception, President
Arthur, in full morning dress, white
kid gloves and buttonhole bouquet,
stood at the head Of the line, and re-
ceived first his Cabinet and next the
Diplomatic Corps. The Chief Justice
and Associate Justices followed, then
Senators and Representatives, Judges
of the Supreme Court of the District
Of Columbia, Judges of the Court of
Claims, officers Of the District Judi
ciary, Commissioners of the District,
ex-members of the Cabinet and ex-
ministers Of the United States. Then
came the officers Of the Army and
Navy, the Assistant Postmaster Gem
eral and Attorney General, the Solici-
tor General, and various other heads,
Superintendent, Commissioners, Sec
retarses and Assistants. The veterans
ofthe war of 1872, and those of the
Mexican war, were followed by the
soldiers of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and the oldest Inhabitants
Association of the District, and then
the doors we're thrown open to citizens
and throng of both colors, who we're
neither admirals, judges, nor generals,
made steady procession through the
parlors until the reception closed.
The White House was decorated with
plants, the Marine band stationed
in the vestibule. filed it with music,
and the scene in the famous East room
was striking, while the representatives
of foreign countries mingled their
gorgeous court costumes and decorated
with the gay tinseled uniforms of Army
and Navy officers, and the sombre attire
and dress Of the Supreme Court JUS
tices.
The day was observed in Washing
ton en- regle. Carriages, hansoms and
cabs whirled along streets with their
freight. Ladies handsomely attired,
received in gas lighted parlors. Gen
tIemen paid the compliments of the
season, slipped tea or coffee, nibbled
sandwiches and cake, and departed,
and the first duty of the New Year
was fulfilled. Many will never see
their hostesses again, because by Jan.
/, 1886, the official and social personnel
of Washington, will be almost entirely
changed.
There is no end to Inauguration
talk in Washington, and several steps
toward preparation for the great event
have been taken during the past week.
Ware rooms, halls, barracks, and
everything that can be utilized for
lodging purposes are being fixed up
for organizations that are coming, and
Northern firms have contracted to fur
nish thousands ofcots. The committee
on public comfort. whose duty it is to
provide quarters-either at hotels or
private houses-for persons desiring
them, will endeavor te keep prices for
every variety of service down to ordi-
nary rates, and can, it is hoped, be re-
lied upon to prevent extortionate
charges.
Mr.. Cleveland's letter on the Civil
Service, has been the chief topic Of
conversation here for several days. In
the Departments the widest difference
Of opinion is expressed n regard to it.
Many officials regard the letter as in
surfing a thorough enforcement Of
Civil Service rules, while others assert
that the wording Of it will permit the
removal from Office of every man who
made contribution for political pur-
poses or delivered a political speech.
The great evangelist, Mr.. Moody is
coming to Washington in two weeks to
hold meetings, and the city pastors
have been making arrangements for
him. He wants the largest church in
the city of course, which is the Con-
gregational, ON G street, but as tina.
has been engaged for some other pur-
pose, the Mt. Vernon M. E. Church
was selected as the next largest build
ing. Mr.. Moody always stops at a
hotel in order to be master of his own
time and movements, and though he
makes no charges for his services, his
expenses are paid by the churches in
the city where he holds his meetings.
Admission tickets are issued for each
service.