Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-10-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 9th: 1885.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9Th; 1885.
The corridors of the Washington
hotels are again teeming with life.
People are rapidly returning from
the summer resorts. Strangers are
to be seen on the streets
and the city is beginning to wear
that animated appearance peculiar
to the near approach of the congress
sional session. l am told that the
realestate market is brisk and that
the demand for houses and rooms
is quite as great as at any previous
time. Builders and architects are
busy as are also dealers in building
material. Except for a few months
after the presidential election this
city has known little of the business
depression that has prevailed in
neighboring cities. 1t is not remark
able that this is so. The influence
ofthe Federal Government permeates
every interest. The Government
clerks get their pay whether times
are good or bad and they have no
reason TO feel hard up at
one time more than another. An
other thing that has prevented
Washington from feeling the hard
times of last two or three years,
which have so distressed other cit
les, is the constant influx of wealthy
people who have made this city their
home in the winter season. Wash
ington is already at the head OF
scientific life in this country, and is
rapidly increasing its influence in
art, literature, and music.
The President has been over run
with callers and Office seekers dur
ing the past week while tourists sin
gle and in battalions have attended
his informal Wednesday afternoon
receptions last week. The Presi-
dent was late but finally the mass
i've doors leading from the East Room
to the private corridor were thrown
open and the by no means petit
form Of Mr.. Cleveland was seen
coming along the passage. A gen.
tleman and lady accompanied
him. The trio walked slowly until
they were near the large reception
room then the President accelerated
his steps and made half rush to-
ward the semi-circle of humanity
awaiting for him. His right hand
was extended to grasp the first one
he came in contact with and his
movement was not unlike that of a
man about to take plunge into ice
water. The Presidents hand clos
ed on the palm of big western man
who detained the head of the ma
ton long enough to introduce his
wife. Then the stream of hand
shakers passed rapidly by. The
President smiled, bowed and said a
few words as the occasion requir-
ed.
The return of a large number of
statesmen, who have buckled on
their armor for the winter campaign,
has caused a steady increase in the
list of Official callers eager to pres
ent their claims or those of their
proteges to the President for recog-
milton. Notwithstanding the fact,
the President maintains his custom
of receiving general callers in the
East Room and giving all visitors
the opportunity of shaking him by
the hand. The army of general
visitors was unusually large during
the past week. Strangers focked
to the White House by the hundreds,
SO that when the President comes
into the East Room he finds it
crowded, and the ordeal through
which he has to pass is trying
one. Some are willing to pass on
after grasp of his hand, but MANY
halt for few moments converse
ton.